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If You Are Wondering Can I Eat Ricotta When Pregnant?
What is ricotta? It is cheese made from skim or whole milk. It resembles cottage cheese. Can I eat ricotta when pregnant? Is it safe for pregnancy? Well, everything has its good and bad sides.
There are a few kinds of cheese that are safe for eating during pregnancy. Hard cheeses are the number 1 option in safeness for eating during pregnancy. Of course, it means you should avoid soft cheeses. (Some).
Hard cheeses include Cheddar, Edam, etc. Why are they considered safe? They have low moisture, which prevents the growth of any bacteria like listeria. Something to note is that the milk should get pasteurized.
Soft cheeses are the opposite of hard ones. They are potential carriers of harmful bacteria hence are not recommended to be taken during pregnancy.
They have more moisture, therefore providing ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria. Soft cheeses include feta, ricotta, cottage cheese, mozzarella, etc. However, you can consume them if cooked at a temperature beyond 65 degrees Celsius and hot.
Can I eat ricotta ravioli when pregnant?
Ricotta stuffed in ravioli can be very delicious, and a pregnant woman may want to eat it. There is no harm if the ricotta comes from pasteurized milk. It could also prove to be beneficial during pregnancy.
Most women require more water during pregnancy. Water helps to flush the system and prevent constipation.
It would help if you took plenty of it daily. Foods that are high in water include ricotta cheese and also cottage cheese.
Ricotta is a cheese, and it’s a protein or bodybuilder. It helps to build new cells and tissues inside the body. The amino acids present in the protein are fundamental building blocks for cell development.
During pregnancy, mostly in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, when your infant is growing the fastest, your body uses those amino acids to form the cells that make the baby’s body.
How much of the proteins is needed? It would help if you almost had almost 25 grams per day, more than you needed before being pregnant.
That is between 75 to 100 grams per day when you are pregnant, all depending on your body weight.
Ricotta cheese also has a sufficient amount of minerals such as calcium. Calcium is necessary during pregnancy for the development of strong bones. It helps build the infant’s bones also.
Apart from that, a baby’s primary teeth start forming before birth, around the 6th week of pregnancy, and commence mineralizing at about the 3rd-4th month of pregnancy. For proper tooth development of your child, the mum’s diet should contain calcium, then the other nutrients such as proteins.
Ricotta has vitamins that are important for pregnancy. Vitamin A is responsible for manufacturing estrogen and other pregnancy hormones, which help in the fetus’s development and improve its immunity. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) are also present.
They are essential for the growth and development of the fetus.
Can you eat feta when pregnant?
Yes, you can eat feta while pregnant, but the question is, which one are you eating? Feta made from pasteurized milk is okay, whereas the one that comes from unpasteurized milk could be risky due to contamination by a bacterium called listeria. The bacterial infection can bring about miscarriages and premature delivery.
Feta has beneficial properties, as well. It is a suitable source of calcium, which helps in healthy bones. Its calcium content is higher than that found in other cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, or cottage cheese.
It not only has calcium but also has phosphorous and protein, which also assist in boosting bone health. Another benefit is that protein and calcium help to maintain bone density and prevent osteoporosis.
Feta is also good for the gut. It contains probiotics, which are bacteria useful for your health. It has Lactobacillus Plantarum that accounts for almost 48% of this bacterium. It improves the immune system and also has anti-inflammatory benefits.
It has Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), a type of fatty acid that betters the body’s make-up by lowering fat mass and increasing lean body mass. Besides, it helps in the prevention of diabetes and contains anti-cancer benefits.
The only disadvantages are that it contains high salt content and high lactose.
Can you eat mascarpone when pregnant?
It is safe to eat mascarpone cheese while pregnant. You can also tell what cheese is good or bad for you with everything you’ve read above. The guidelines on eating them are clear. They both have their benefits and disadvantages.
Can I Eat Ricotta When Pregnant Conclusion
Can I eat ricotta when pregnant? Yes, you can, future mummy. It is okay to eat this cheese during pregnancy.
Hard cheeses are the safest so far. For soft cheeses, they have to come from pasteurized milk so that they are suitable for consumption.
The ones made from unpasteurized milk can be harmful to you during pregnancy. So always check their label to confirm if they have undergone pasteurization or not. And if it’s from a restaurant, you can go ahead to ask to be sure.
The harm that comes with the unpasteurized one can bring a condition called listeriosis. The effects of this bacterial infection could be heartbreaking since they cause miscarriages, premature deliveries, and even death of the unborn.
No mum would want this to happen to their children, and that is why you should take caution. Or one can as well make their cheeses at home since it’s possible.
