One of the most common questions that pregnant women ask their doctors is, "What foods are safe to eat, and what foods do I need to avoid?" Pregnant women often have specific cravings for foods, such as cheeses, yet not all types are safe to eat during pregnancy. Cheese provides essential vitamins and minerals, however, so it is important that pregnant women learn which types of cheese are safe to eat.
Havarti Definition
Havarti cheese is a semi-soft variety with a creamy texture. According to the website Cheese.com, it was originally made in Denmark but now is popular in America. Havari cheese can be purchased in a block form, in slices or in a variety that has pieces of caraway seeds.
Safety Concerns
Pregnant women should avoid cheeses that are ripened with mold, such as Stilton or Brie. These types have a higher risk of causing food-borne illness, according to the website Baby Center. Baby Center also says that cheese that are not pasteurized can harbor bacteria like listeria, salmonella or E. coli. When a pregnant women gets a food-borne illness, she can be at risk to miscarry the baby.
Pasteurization
The process of pasteurization heats up the cheese so that the majority of bacteria is destroyed, explains CBS News. This helps to prevent food-borne illness. Baby Center says that Havarti cheese is pasteurized and not ripened with mold, so it is considered safe for pregnant women to eat.
Calcium
Calcium is a mineral that helps strengthen bones and teeth and also helps to prevent osteoporosis. Cheese is naturally rich in calcium because it is made with milk. The nutritional database CalorieKing.com states that a 1-oz. serving of Havarti cheese has about 200 mg of calcium. The National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements says that pregnant women require higher amounts of calcium because the baby uses up some of her calcium intake as well. The National Institutes of Health recommends that pregnant women get 1,300 mg of calcium every day.
Protein
Another benefit of eating Havarti cheese while pregnant is the protein supply. Havarti cheese is rich in protein, with 7 g per 1-oz. serving, according to CalorieKing.com. Protein helps women feel full, be energized and maintain their muscle mass. Protein is also found in foods such as beef, chicken, pork and eggs, yet pregnant women sometimes feel nauseous when trying to eat these foods. Eating Havarti is an easy-on-the-stomach way for a pregnant women to increase her protein intake.
