Can You Eat Cream Cheese When Pregnant?

Pregnancy is a phase of happiness and, at the same time, great stress in the life of women.

Pregnant women tend to be very careful about what they eat, what they drink, and where go, and care about themselves a lot because they hold a baby in their hearts.

A pregnant woman must make sure she eats all that is essential for her and her baby. Many questions have been asked regarding eating dark chocolates or even cream cheese while pregnant.

As found, it was stated that dark chocolate is very beneficial for the pregnant woman and her baby. Now the point is, can You Eat Cream Cheese When Pregnant?

To be able to answer the above-stated question, bear with us and read till the end to know better. We hope our findings about cream cheese and pregnancy will help you know better about what to eat and what not to do during pregnancy.

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Can Pregnant Women Eat Cream Cheese?

There are a lot of dos and don’ts when pregnant. You should be careful about what you eat, how, and even when you eat.

A major concern is whether can eat cream cheese while pregnant or not. First and foremost, you need to know that cream cheese is not soft cheese at all, mainly made up of pasteurized dairy products.

• Cream cheese is made from heated milk and cream to kill all the bacteria in it. Bacteria such as listeria, which has the potential of causing consumer listeriosis, is a dangerous infection.
• Cream cheese is very tasty, and it is a great option to feed on even while you are pregnant. But as we know, everything in limit is good, and if you overeat cream cheese, it can result in a rise in the cholesterol level and can impact the health of the pregnant woman.
• Cream cheese is high in fat, and it is mainly high in saturated fat, which can negatively impact health if consumed beyond the limit.

Many questions have been raised about Philadelphia cream cheese, whether it is fine to consume while pregnant. The answer is yes since cream cheese is made from pasteurized cream and is safe to eat.

On the other hand, some researchers believe that even if the cream cheese is made from pasteurized milk, it can be risky as, during preparation, soft cheese gets exposed and even contaminated by bacteria called listeria.

Also Read: Goat Cheese While Pregnant

The following type of cheese should be avoided once you are pregnant. Cheese such as:

• Brie
• Fetta
• Ricotta
• Gorgonzola
• Roquefort
• Cottage and a few more. (to learn more, read the article can you eat cottage cheese when pregnant?)

These types of cheese should be avoided not because they are soft but because of how they are prepared.

The cheese mentioned above is considered to have a high water level and low acidity, which simply means that the bacteria can grow even more and easier in them.

Hence in some ways, we can say eating cream cheese while pregnant is a good idea instead.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Cream Cheese Pregnancy?

Cream cheese has a lot of advantages. The advantages of cream cheese make it even ideal for consumption during pregnancy. Some of the significant advantages of cream cheese are stated below such as:

Cream cheese is a great source of many antioxidants, due to the presence of which the human body is protected against the molecules that are better known as free radicals.

On the other hand, cream cheese contains little amount of carotenoid antioxidants, which also include zeaxanthin along with lutein.

If you are a pregnant woman who is allergic to it, then there is a piece of good news for you. Cream cheese contains less than 2 grams of lactose, so for those who are allergic or have an intolerance towards lactose, cream cheese is a good option for you.

Also Read: soft cheese while pregnant

The disadvantages of Cream Cheese are:

Despite all its advantages and positive sides, cream cheese has some disadvantages, as that you should know.

Cream cheese is very low in protein content. Each serving provides the consumer only with 2 grams of proteins. The protein level available in other soft cheeses is more than that of cream cheese.

While pregnant, one needs a good amount of protein, so it is not a wise choice.

Cream cheese has a short life. Factors including processing, packaging, and even storing the product affect the lifespan of the cream cheese directly.

Consuming unpasteurized cream cheese during pregnancy first trimester can cause listeriosis, leading to miscarriage.

Though pasteurization has the potential of killing dangerous microorganisms, it has been stated that there is a lot of water in cream cheese.

What Are the Dairy Products That You Should Avoid While Pregnant?

Dairy products that are not pasteurized can contain listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacterium that mainly causes infection.

In the case of pregnant women, it should be avoided as they are very susceptible. So be aware. A pregnant woman is very much at risk of suffering the following as a result of listeriosis such as:

• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Case of premature birth
• Neonatal infection can happen
• Neonatal death and other issues as such.

Apart from cheese, listeriosis is also found in things like uncooked meat, vegetables, and even processed food.

Also Read: Feta Cheese While Pregnant

How Can You Know If You Are Suffering from Listeria Due to Cream Cheese While You Are Pregnant?

Listeria will show specific symptoms while you are pregnant. It will not show up immediately, but it will start showing about 2 to 30 days post-exposure. You will have mild flu-like symptoms initially, and headaches are a must, pain in your muscles, nausea, and vomiting.

Suppose you do not understand, and the infection spreads to your body and nervous system. In that case, you will have symptoms such as a stiff neck, disorientation, and convulsion.

Keep in mind that the infection can occur to you anytime, but it is mainly seen during the trimester when the pregnant woman’s immune system is suppressed to some levels.

Make sure you visit your doctor on time to cure yourself faster before it goes to your unborn baby. Giving a blood test can be of great help as it can indicate whether you have listeriosis.

This is one of the main reasons you should eat pasteurized cream cheese while pregnant. Do not panic, as listeriosis can be cured with the help of antibiotics given by your respective doctor after carefully examining your case.

Conclusion

So the next time you crave to eat cream cheese during pregnancy, you know what to choose and how to handle your cravings. It is true that a small amount of cream cheese can be spread over a piece of bread or toast, and it can be sufficient to satisfy your craving.

But suppose you still crave to eat cream cheese badly while pregnant. In that case, you can quickly go for the following flavors, such as the light version or low-fat version of the cream cheese; a plain flavor is also a good option, and last but not least, the whipped cream cheese.

It’s your turn to answer the qestion, “Can You Eat Cream Cheese When Pregnant?” “Do you feed on cream cheese while you crave it, or do you have an alternative for it?” We are here to read your ideas and experiences.

FAQs

1. Can I eat cream cheese while pregnant?

Consuming moderate amounts of pasteurized cream cheese is considered safe during pregnancy.

2. Can you eat Philadelphia cream cheese when pregnant?

Philadelphia cream cheese is safe for pregnant women as it is made with pasteurized milk.

3. Can you eat lox cream cheese when pregnant?

Eating lox cream cheese is not recommended during pregnancy as it is high in sodium and might be contaminated with listeria.