Food aversions and cravings are a part of every woman’s pregnancy story. A craving is defined as ‘an uncontrollable urge to eat a food item’. You might crave one food for a few days and then develop an aversion to it a couple of weeks later. This is normal during pregnancy and nothing to worry about. However, some foods are considered unsafe for pregnant women and others that must be consumed with a great deal of moderation and caution. One such food is cheese. Read on to find out more about pregnancy cravings for cheese and how to deal with them.
One explanation is that the hormonal changes the body goes through leads to pregnancy cravings. Another thought is that pregnancy cravings are a signal that the body needs nutrients. For instance, if your body lacks Vitamin C, you might develop a sudden fondness for citrus fruits like oranges and grapes. When this happens, pregnancy cravings can also cause you to eat too many unhealthy foods. An example is when you crave something sweet; you are more likely to reach out for chocolates than apples or berries which are far healthier while at the same time satisfying your craving. Here are some common pregnancy cravings and their causes:
Quite a few pregnant women crave cheese when pregnant. This is an indication that your body needs some extra protein and calcium to nurture your baby. It is best to satisfy these cravings with hard cheeses as well as dairy products like skimmed milk and even Greek yoghurt. While cheese is a rich source of calcium that is necessary for the development of your unborn baby, it can also have an adverse impact on your digestion leading to constipation if consumed in excess.
Being a rich source of calcium along with protein and Vitamin B, cheese can help fulfil your daily nutritional requirements and aid in the development of your baby. But there are different types of cheeses available, and of these, some are not recommended for pregnant women. Some varieties, especially the softer variety can be unhealthy as they can contain microscopic organisms called listeria which lead to a condition called listeriosis. By choosing the right kind of cheeses, you can satisfy your cravings and avoid health issues.
The unsafe cheeses are usually made from raw and unpasteurised milk which tend to have a higher concentration of listeria bacterium. If you do not know which milk the cheese has been made from, then it is best to refrain from consuming it. Here are some of the different varieties of cheese to eat and to avoid when pregnant.
All kinds of hard cheeses are deemed safe during pregnancy along with some of the other cheeses. You can satisfy your pregnancy cravings by consuming one of these:
There are some cheeses that you must avoid during your pregnancy. These are primarily soft cheeses and include:
Goat milk is a nutritious addition to any diet given the number of vitamins and minerals in it. It has fewer calories than cow’s milk and is a good alternative for those allergic to cow’s milk. However, goat cheese is a different story altogether. Known as chevre, this is a soft cheese made from moulds. It is commonly used in restaurants and is an ingredient in many types of cheese salads. This type of goat cheese should be avoided as it can cause Listeria. However, some recipes use cooked goat’s cheese, and this is safe for you when pregnant. Hard cheeses made from goat’s milk can also be eaten safely during pregnancy.
Listeria is a type of bacteria that is found in soft cheese and unpasteurised dairy products. Even if one variety of cheese has listeria in it, there is no way for you to know this. This is because the cheese will not smell or taste any different from cheese that is not contaminated. That said, there are quite a few other situations in which listeria thrive, and there is no way you can avoid all of these. Besides unpasteurized milk, listeria is present in vegetables and fruits that have not been washed well, raw meat, raw fruits and veggies, deli meats, and hot dogs. Listeria is also found in water and soil with many animals carrying this bacterium.
Symptoms of listeria may show up anytime from two days to two months after exposure. In healthy adults, there may be no symptoms at all while in pregnant women the symptoms might be mistaken for that of flu or cold. Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, and confusion.
Listeria can have an adverse impact on a pregnant woman as well as her unborn child. It might not always make you seriously ill, but the infection needs to be treated immediately.
The prognosis of babies infected with listeria is not very bright as many succumb to the infection or suffer long-term health issues. According to a study, listeria infection has a fatality rate of 20 to 30 percent. If detected early, it can be treated with antibiotics that can result in full recovery. Not all babies with mothers infected with listeria will develop problems.
It is true that cooking tends to kill listeria. However, this is a very resilient strain of bacterium that can also breed in your freezer or the refrigerator. So, taking precautions to avoid ingesting this bacterium is how you can stay safe when pregnant. Here’s how you can do this.
There is no way you can prevent cravings during your pregnancy or even control the type of food you crave. While cheese cravings might not be the best or safest, being cautious about what cheese you eat can stand you in good stead. Read the label and make an informed choice if you must satiate your cheese craving. Try to distract yourself from your cheese craving by keeping your mind and body occupied when the desire hits you. Go for a leisurely walk or listen to some music till the craving passes.
Listeria bacterium is so common that it might not be possible to avoid exposure fully. So, be sure to contact your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms when pregnant.
Disclaimer: This information is just a guide and not a substitute for medical advice from a qualified professional.