Ricotta, one of the popular varieties of soft cheeses, is often used in common items like toast, ravioli, and pasta. However, it is essential to take its boons and banes into consideration before adding it to your list of dairy products when you are expecting.
Can you eat ricotta cheese when pregnant?
Ricotta is considered safe in pregnancy as it is usually prepared from pasteurized milk. Eating dairy products made from raw or unpasteurized milk is a strict-no-no when pregnant since they risk being contaminated with bacteria, which may lead to an outbreak of listeria. Pasteurization involves heating the milk to a temperature to eliminate harmful bacteria.
Most cheeses sold in the United States, including most soft varieties, are prepared from pasteurized milk. However, while buying ricotta cheese, you should still check the label to make sure it is marked as “pasteurized”, as those found in the farmer’s markets might be made using raw milk and thus are not safe for pregnant women.
Is eating cooked ricotta cheese safer while pregnant?
As long as you go for pasteurized cheese, cooking is not necessary. But, if you are craving some soft cheese pasta, but all you have at hand is some ricotta from the farmer’s market, you might still be able to have it, but only after cooking or baking it over a high temperature. Heating it over a temperature of 140 °F kills any potentially dangerous bacteria.
If you fall sick or feel uncomfortable after eating ricotta, make sure to contact your doctor at once.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/is-ricotta-cheese-safe
- https://birthingforlife.com/can-you-eat-ricotta-while-pregnant/
- https://www.hellomotherhood.com/can-you-eat-ricotta-cheese-during-pregnancy-12681616.html
- https://www.pregnancyfoodchecker.com/can-pregnant-women-eat-ricotta-cheese-is-it-safe/
Dr. Mashiach has completed his MD at the Sackler School of Medicine, TAU; specialization in gynecology at the Lis Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center; fellowship in Endoscopy at the Polyclinique de I’Hotel-Dieu, Universite d’Auvergne, Clermont, France.
He is a Senior Physician, Director of the Department of Gynecology, which provides routine and preventative care services to its patients and a full range of gynecological surgical procedures for adequately managing its patients with benign gynecologic disorders.
He offers advanced care in all gynecological subspecialties such as Urogynecology, Colposcopy, Fetal Loss Clinic, and Post Menopausal Clinic.
