© Dar1930 – stock.adobe.com
Cheese is a great source of calcium and valuable protein, which contains many nutrients and vitamins and can thus contribute to the development of your baby's bones. Cottage cheese is especially recommended for dieters and athletes, as it is not so rich in fat, but contains a lot of proteins. But what about during pregnancy? Can you eat cottage cheese or is it on the list of cheeses to avoid during pregnancy?
What is cottage cheese and how is it made?
< p>Cottage cheese is one of the cream cheese varieties and is known for its granular structure, which is why it is also called granular cream cheese. Although it belongs to the group of fresh cheeses, this does not mean that it is made from raw milk, but from pasteurized milk, skimmed milk to be precise. This is heated and thickened with bacteria, enzymes and milk, resulting in the typical small grains. These are then seasoned with salt and cream.
Consumption of cottage cheese during pregnancy
You can eat cottage cheese without hesitation! Due to its low fat content and few calories, it is considered very healthy!
Note, however, that you keep the cottage cheese in the refrigerator and consume it within two days, otherwise it can go bad quickly. You can also eat other industrially produced cream cheeses such as ricotta, feta cheese, mozzarella or mascarpone during your pregnancy. Just like hard cheeses like Parmesan, although you'd better cut off the rind here, as it can contain bacteria.
Cottage cheese popular with dieters and athletes
Since cottage cheese is low in calories but high in protein and calcium, cottage cheese is often included in the diet of athletes and people trying to lose weight. It's also rich in calcium, which is important for your bones and teeth. As a dairy product, cottage cheese also contains vitamin B12, which is involved in fat breakdown and blood formation, among other things, and ensures that the nervous system functions.
Prohibited types of cheese during pregnancy
Not all types of cheese are recommended during pregnancy, as they could contain dangerous pathogens that, in the worst case, can cause great harm to your baby. This is listeriosis, an infectious disease that can increase the risk of miscarriage. You should particularly avoid cheese made from raw milk during pregnancy, as the milk is not pasteurized, i.e. heated, and thus pathogens cannot be killed. If you're in the supermarket and don't know if a certain type of cheese is made from raw milk, you can easily find out. Because in Germany it is mandatory that products made from raw milk must also be labeled as such. So just look at the packaging to see if it says so. I would also advise you to avoid soft cheeses like gorgonzola, camembert or brie, even if they are made from pasteurized milk. This is because they are wetter and less acidic, making them an ideal breeding ground for Listeria.
My infographic for you: Consumption of cheese during pregnancy
My infographic gives you an overview of the consumption of cheese during pregnancy:
• Which types of cheese are allowed and which ones should you avoid?
• What nutrients and vitamins does cheese have?
• What is the best way to deal with cheese during pregnancy?
» Click here, to enlarge the infographic
What did I need for my baby's initial equipment and what can you do without? Here’my personal checklist for a baby's initial equipment!