Cheesecake is a rich and filling dessert made of cream cheese and soft cheeses like ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese. It can be raw, or baked. Cheesecake is a delicious dessert to still those hunger pangs during pregnancy. What other dessert can defeat rich cream cheese and amazing toppings? So, can pregnant women eat cheesecake without worrying? The answer is yes-they surely can! However, it is important to remember that depending on the type and amount of cheesecake consumed, it may be safe or otherwise.
Is it Safe to Eat Cheesecake when Pregnant?
Remember not to consume cheesecake made of unpasteurised cheese. This is because unpasteurised dairy products may contain the bacteria listeria which causes a condition called listeriosis. Listeriosis seems to resemble influenza or meningitis. If untreated, listeriosis can even cause miscarriage, foetal death or illness. Unpasteurised cheese can also contain the bacteria E. coli which causes diarrhoea. If left untreated, E. coli infection can lead to severe anaemia. Which is highly detrimental to the healthy growth of the baby. So take care not to consume unpasteurised cheesecake when pregnant.
Also, it is safest not to consume cheesecake made of raw eggs, either. Though the risk is very low, raw eggs can contain the bacteria Salmonella. So basically, avoid cheesecakes with unpasteurized cheese and uncooked eggs.
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What Kind of Cheesecake Can You Eat ?
So you are wondering now about what kind of cheesecake to consume?
It is best to opt for the baked cheesecake which has pasteurised milk and cooked eggs. This zeroes out the chances of listeriosis, salmonella or E. coli infections. So you can enjoy your delicious strawberry, or blueberry or chocolate cheesecake in a peaceful state of mind. Or you could also opt for the cheesecake which has no eggs, but pasteurised cheese. Cheesecakes made of ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese should be perfect because these cheeses are always pasteurised.
Cheesecake in pregnancy can be a tricky matter, but just keep the above things in mind and you are good to go! If you have trouble figuring out whether the cheese is unpasteurised or the eggs are uncooked, ask the shop-owner for assistance. You could also buy mass-produced cheesecake that is available in all supermarkets. The mass-produced cheesecake kind always has pasteurised milk and cooked eggs. But be sure to read the back of the box carefully.
Also remember that cheesecake is a rather high calorie dessert. So eating cheesecake in pregnancy requires strict consideration as to amount. Do not overeat cheesecake even if you crave it. It is important to maintain a healthy weight gain during pregnancy for the health of the mother and healthy development of the baby.
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Perks of Eating Cheesecake while Pregnant:
Well, cheesecake is a delicious way to get some essential nutrients as it is rich is many vitamins, calcium and protein. Cheesecake contains Vitamin A in the form of retinol which keeps the eyes healthy and improves vision. Eggs contain Vitamin A in the form of antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein which improve and strengthen the muscles of the eye.
The protein contained in cheesecake is essential for the growth and development of tissues and muscles of the unborn baby. Cheesecake also contains a lot of fats. Fats in moderation are important for the body. Therefore, consuming small amounts of cheesecake regularly can provide the necessary fats to the mother and unborn baby. Cheesecake also contains sodium which is essential for the growth of the baby.
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To watch the calories while satisfying your cravings for cheesecake, you can prepare your customized, low-fat, low-sugar cheesecake at home. Use sugar sparingly, or use artificial sweetener after consulting with a doctor. Instead of cream cheese, use ricotta cheese which has half the fat content of cream cheese. Use fresh fruit to prepare the toppings. You can prepare strawberry, blueberry, chocolate or lemon cheesecake as per your tastes. So eating cheesecake in pregnancy can be done the healthy and delicious way!
