Eating during pregnancy is complicated. Not only do pregnant women need to consume extra calories to provide the nutrients that their babies need to grow, but they also need to pay special attention to specific nutritional concerns. Pregnant women cannot mindlessly eat whatever foods they crave, as certain foods are unsafe for the baby. Some cheeses are safe during pregnancy for example, while other cheeses should be avoided by pregnant women.
What Is Blue Cheese?
Blue cheese (also spelled bleu cheese, depending on where it is sold) is a soft, blue-veined cheese, often crumbled on salads. It is also used in the popular blue cheese dressing. It has a sharp, somewhat pungent taste and smooth texture.
Blue Cheese During Pregnancy
Unfortunately for pregnant women, blue cheese is not recommended for consumption by women until after their babies are born. The parenting website Baby Centre explains that blue-veined cheeses, along with mold-ripened and unpasturized cheeses, can harvest dangerous bacteria because they have a higher moisture content and have not been heat-treated to kill bacteria. One of the most common bacteria in these types of cheese is Listeria.
Risks of Listeria
If a healthy individual gets Listeria, she may experience cold or flu symptoms. This can be uncomfortable, but her immune system is likely to fight off the bacteria in time. The American Pregnancy Association states that if a pregnant woman gets Listeria, she could go into early labor or have a miscarriage, depending on how far along she is in the pregnancy. The baby could even develop a dangerous infection while still in the mother's womb.
Alternatives to Blue Cheese
Instead of taking the safety risks of eating blue cheese, pregnant women can enjoy a host of other different cheeses. Hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan and provolone make safe bets for pregnant women. Baby Centre also recommends soft but pasteurized cheeses like cream cheese, cottage cheese and Boursin cheese.
Benefits of Cheese During Pregnancy
Even though certain cheeses carry the risk of Listeria, pregnant women shouldn't avoid all cheeses or they would miss out on several nutritional benefits. The Nemours Foundation states that the calcium in cheese helps a baby to grow while protecting the strength and integrity of the mother's bones. Cheese is also rich in protein and several other vitamins and minerals.
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