Cheese is one of the foods that pregnant women like to include in their diet. Eating cheese is not an unhealthy habit during pregnancy, but knowing which type to choose among various types of cheese available worldwide is needed. Here we are going to discuss eating cotija cheese while pregnant.
You may crave cotija cheese when pregnant, but you should check its safety before including in it your diet, as eating some foods are forbidden for pregnant women and can risk your pregnancy.
This article on Hipregnancy covers the top points regarding consuming cotija cheese while pregnant, including nutritional value, benefits, and side effects. Let’s start with whether you can eat this Mexican cheese during pregnancy.
Can pregnant women eat cotija cheese?
A common question among pregnant women is: “Can I have cotija cheese while pregnant?” The short answer is yes, but let’s talk about it in detail.
Cotija cheese is a white Mexican cheese made from cow’s milk. This cheese has a milky, salty flavor and a crumbly texture. Cotija cheese is available in two forms: fresh and aged. Fresh cotija cheese has a softer texture and milder taste, similar to feta, while aged cotija cheese or cotija añejo has a harder texture and sharper flavor, like parmesan.
According to studies, it is safe to eat cotija cheese while pregnant, but it should be consumed in moderation due to its high sodium content. This cheese is usually made with pasteurized milk and contains protein, zinc, calories, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and copper.
It is good to know that cotija cheese doesn’t melt, and is used as a topping, especially in Mexican dishes. Remember that you should not use cotija cheese when pregnant if you have a lactose intolerance or dairy allergy.
Also Read: healthy smoothies for pregnancy
Nutritional value of cotija cheese
The following table shows the amount of nutrients that 1oz serving of cotija cheese provides to pregnant women, including;
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 100cal |
| Saturated fat | 5 g |
| Cholesterol | 30 mg |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Calcium | 31% of the daily value (DV) |
| Sodium | 18% of the DV |
| Vitamin A | 4% of the DV |
Saturated Keep reading to learn why to eat cotija cheese while pregnant, as the following part discusses the benefits of this Mexican cheese.
Also Read: is matcha safe during pregnancy
Benefits of eating cotija cheese while pregnant
There is not much information about the benefits of cotija cheese for pregnant women, but the available data shows it can be useful for them. More studies are needed to determine the other benefits of this cheese for pregnant women.
The followings are the health benefits of consuming cotija cheese when pregnant, including;
- Cotija cheese is a good source of vitamin A to improve eyesight and boost your immune system during pregnancy.
- It provides protein that is needed to build and repair tissue and to support baby’s development.
- Eating cotija cheese while pregnant help maintain healthy bones and teeth and prevent osteoporosis.
Consider that you should moderate your intake to benefit from cotija cheese; otherwise, it can harm you. How? The last part of this article discusses the possible danger of eating too much cotija cheese while pregnant. So, keep reading.
Side effects of cotija cheese while pregnant
Although cotija cheese is safe for pregnancy, it may cause discomfort in some pregnant ladies. If you have a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance, you should skip eating cotija cheese while pregnant.
Moreover, eating too much cotija cheese during pregnancy can cause heart disease and hypertension due to its high sodium levels. Therefore, you should have it only in small amounts to prevent such issues.
Consider that unpasteurized cotija cheese can lead to listeriosis resulting in miscarriage or giving birth to a baby with serious blood or brain infections. As a result, you should not opt for pasteurized cotija cheese while pregnant to support a healthy pregnancy and give birth to a healthier baby.
Conclusion
Pregnant ladies should pay extra attention to what they eat. Cotija cheese is one of the options you should be cautious about. While it is safe to eat cotija cheese while pregnant, you should moderate your intake to prevent its possible danger as it is high in sodium.
Hope you enjoyed this article. If any questions about eating cotija cheese when pregnant still need to be answered, share them with us via comment.
The Hipregnancy team is always here to help you!
FAQs
1. Is cotija cheese safe during pregnancy?
Cotija cheese is considered safe for pregnant women if consumed in small amounts.
2. Is cotija cheese pasteurized?
Store-bought cotija cheese is pasteurized. Unpasteurized cotija cheese is also available, which is forbidden during pregnancy.
3. Is cotija a soft cheese?
Cotija falls into the category of hard cheeses with crumbly texture.