Can you eat Mersey valley cheese when pregnant?

In this article we are going to answer can you eat Mersey valley cheese, what is Mersey valley cheese, what type of cheese you can eat when pregnant, what type of cheese you can’t eat when pregnant, and what is the risk of eating unpasteurized cheese when pregnant, and how can you add Mersey valley cheese to your diet. 

Can you eat Mersey valley cheese when pregnant?

Yes, Mersey Valley Original Vintage is classic cheddar cheese. Mersey valley cheese is made with pasteurized milk. Cheddar cheese is one of the cheese that is safe to eat when pregnant because it has low moisture content and is difficult for listeria to grow

What is Mersey valley cheese?

Mersey Valley is a company that is best known for its crumbly, melt in your mouth cheddar cheese. It has been made in Tasmania for more than 35 years and is one of Australia’s best-loved vintage club cheddars. It has different flavors

  • Original: is a sharp crumbly cheddar that keeps you coming back for more.
  • Classic: has an extra-strong bite, which is balanced with a crumbly melt-in-your-mouth texture. 
  • Cracked peppercorn: classic cheddar with black peppercorn pieces.
  • Pickled Onion: mixed original cheddar with the addition of pickled onion. 
  • Ploughmans: a unique blend of classic cheddar with a rich savory flavor that really packs a punch. 

Is it healthy to eat Mersey valley cheese?

100 grams of Mersey valley cheese has 416 calories, 25 grams of protein, and 33 grams of fat which 21.10 grams are from saturated fat, 1.40 grams of sodium, and 762 grams of sodium. It can be part of a healthy diet if eaten in moderation.

Of 416 calories in 100 grams, 74% are from fat and the sodium content is high enough to not eat Mersey valley cheese if you have blood pressure problems or preeclampsia. 

If added to your diet once in a while, it won’t do you harm but you need to know that it is a high sodium content food. In general, when pregnant you should follow a healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

 A few nutrients need special attention during pregnancy, like folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, and omega 3 fatty acids. 

  • Ideally, 2 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables every day
  • Increase your intake of whole grains and cereal foods. Choose high fiber options
  • Milk, hard cheese, and yogurt are great options because they are high calcium foods.
  • Choose low-fat options and good fats: fats from vegetable sources like almonds, olive oil, and avocado. 
  • Choose lean proteins and choose low mercury fish options. 
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Always stay active
  • Avoid junk food whenever possible, it should not be part of regular meals
  • Check the labels before buying processed food to make the best option
  • Avoid buying canned food with syrup, look for canned food with plain/spring water or olive oil. 
  • Avoid pre-cooked or ready meals
  • Choose low-fat options 
  • Avoid food with added sugars
  • Avoid processed/undercooked meat
  • Skip fast-food restaurants, instead, try to do healthy meals at home

What type of cheese can you eat when pregnant?

According to the NHS, you can eat all hard cheese made with pasteurized or unpasteurized milk because they have low water content which makes it harder for bacteria to grow.

  • Cheddar
  • Gouda
  • Gruyere
  • Parmesan
  • Provolone
  • Havarti
  • Manchego
  • Edam
  • Emmental

The NHS also recommends that soft cheese as long as it is made from pasteurized milk is safe to eat when pregnant. 

  • Cottage cheese
  • Cream cheese
  • Goat cheese
  • Ricotta
  • Mozzarella
  • Feta
  • Prepared cheese spreads

What type of cheese you can’t eat when pregnant?

You should not eat any soft cheese, mold-ripened or blue-veined. They are strictly out of limits when pregnant. 

  • Brie
  • Camembert
  • Goat cheese with the rind
  • Chevre
  • Danish Blue
  • Gorgonzola
  • Roquefort
  • Queso Blanco or queso fresco

What is the risk of eating unpasteurized cheese when pregnant?

The risk of food poisoning with unpasteurized cheddar cheese is not that usual but you still need to be careful. 

Pregnant women are too susceptible to food poisoning. They are 20 times more susceptible to having worse side effects. The FDA says that soft cheese, unpasteurized, is 50 to 160 times more prone to be contaminated with bacteria, especially Listeria monocytogenes. 

The main side effects you can experience with a foodborne illness:

  • Blood or brain infections
  • Seizures
  • Diarrhea 
  • Vomiting
  • Miscarriage
  • Preterm labor
  • Headaches
  • Muscle pain
  • Fever

How can you add Mersey valley cheese to your diet?

Mersey valley cheddar cheese can be part of your healthy diet. You can add it to your salad directly from the package, make some pasta with cheddar cheese, add it to your soup for some extra taste or use it in your sandwiches. Want some recipe ideas? follow this link. 

Other FAQs about Cheese that you may be interested in.

Can you eat cheese on keto?

Can you eat Pimento Cheese on a Keto Diet?

Does shredded cheese go bad?

Conclusion

This article answered can you eat Mersey valley cheese, what is Mersey valley cheese, what type of cheese you can eat when pregnant, what type of cheese you can’t eat when pregnant, and what is the risk of eating unpasteurized cheese when pregnant, and how can you add Mersey valley cheese to your diet. 

Citation

https://www.cheese.com/mersey-valley-original-vintage/

https://www.huggies.com.au/pregnancy/pregnancy-health-care/soft-cheese

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