There’s a lot of hoopla about eating cheese while pregnant, and many women with a hankering for blue cheese wonder if it’s OK to eat. The big concern here is with listeria, which is known to cause birth defects and even miscarriages. When you are pregnant, you should be careful about eating blue cheese. This is a list of 11 foods and drinks that pregnant women should avoid. If you’ve eaten blue cheese while pregnant, don’t panic. The National Health Service recommends avoiding a number of soft cheeses during pregnancy, including: The American Pregnancy Association also warns against consuming Mexican style soft cheese that may contain queso blanco or queso franco, unless it is explicitly stated that the soft cheese has been made with pasteurized milk as opposed to unpasteurized. Since blue cheese is made from unpasteurized milk, it is likelier to host the listeria bacteria. Tortilla Wraps This article tells you whether it's safe to eat…, Cheese comes in hundreds of different varieties and flavors, and you may wonder which ones are healthiest. Listeriosis symptoms are often mild for pregnant women, and many may not even realize they have it. You just have to know a little about the health benefits and…. However, some people may not experience symptoms for up to 30 days. Can I Eat Blue Cheese While Pregnant? The National Health Service lists a number of symptoms of listeriosis, including: In addition to these, a more serious case of listeriosis may be present if other symptoms are present, including: If you have any of the symptoms of listeriosis, the infection will usually pass of its own accord and can be treated at home. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation. Still, because it’s a mold-ripened cheese often made with unpasteurized milk, you may wonder whether it’s safe to eat during pregnancy. . Answer: Best to Avoid It What to do if you’ve eaten blue cheese while pregnant, 11 Foods and Beverages to Avoid During Pregnancy - What Not to Eat, 10 Keto Salad Dressings to Spice up Your Low-Carb Lifestyle. However, relatively few blue cheeses are pasteurized, leaving it at a higher risk of bacterial contamination. If you’re pregnant, you should avoid any blue cheese that includes raw milk. Certain foods can be very harmful for pregnant women and their babies. While listeriosis is fairly rare, pregnant women are up to 20 times likelier to get it than the general population (6). Some of the most common varieties are Stilton, Roquefort, and Gorgonzola (1). All rights reserved. Additionally, not all mold-ripened cheeses are a health hazard. used as a substitute for professional medical advice, Leaf Group Ltd. Blue cheese is a soft, mold-ripened cheese that many people enjoy on salads and in sauces. This means the body has to work harder to resist the infection of listeria, and sometimes is unable to do so. These may be a sign that Listeria has entered into the mother’s nervous system, where it can cause bacterial meningitis, or inflammation around the brain and spinal cord (4, 5). Though less common, some blue cheeses are made with pasteurized milk. Other safe hard cheeses, as advised by PregnancyBirth&Baby, include cheddar and Parmesan. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The risks of eating blue cheese during pregnancy have nothing to do with the fact that this dairy product is manufactured using mold, as these specific molds are safe to consume. Soft, blue-veined cheese This type of soft cheese isn’t recommended during pregnancy, even if its pasteurized. One study using raw milk showed that temperatures of 131°F (55°C) significantly reduced the activity of Listeria (7). It can lead to listerosis, a dangerous infection for mother and child. Still, a few blue cheeses are made with pasteurized milk, and these are safe to consume. The National Health Service explains that ordinarily the infection, while unpleasant, will pass on its own if the individual who is infected is not pregnant or struggling with another condition that may compromise the immune system, such as diabetes.