In the wonderful journey of pregnancy, expectant mothers are often faced with questions about what is safe to eat and what should be avoided. One common query revolves around Monterey Jack cheese and its suitability during this delicate period. Read on to learn more about this cheese and find out whether you can eat Monterey Jack while pregnant.
SEE ALSO: Our complete guide to which cheeses you can eat during pregnancy →
Why are some foods unsafe during pregnancy?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can survive and grow on certain high-risk foods. In humans, it can cause an infection called Listeriosis and the range of symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhoea. In rare cases, it can cause blood poisoning (septicaemia) and inflammation of the outside of the brain (meningitis).
The symptoms tend to be mild in most affected people but can be more severe and, sometimes, life-threatening in the elderly, pregnant women (and their unborn babies) and people with a weak immune system.
What foods are high-risk when you’re pregnant?
Some examples of high-risk foods include raw seafood and fish, cold meats, pre-packaged fruit and, yes, some cheeses. You can read more about which cheeses to avoid during pregnancy here.
What is Monterey Jack?
Now, let’s focus on Monterey Jack cheese itself. This type of cheese is a semi-hard, mild and creamy cheese that originates from the United States. It is made from cow’s milk and is typically aged for a short period, ranging from one to three months.
Monterey Jack cheese is commonly used in various dishes, including sandwiches, quesadillas and pasta.
Is Monterey Jack cheese safe to eat if you’re pregnant?
When it comes to its safety during pregnancy, the good news is that Monterey Jack cheese is generally considered safe to eat, provided it is made from pasteurised milk. Pasteurisation involves heating the milk to kill off harmful bacteria, making it a safe choice for expectant mothers.
Therefore, it is crucial to check the label and ensure that the Monterey Jack cheese you consume is made from pasteurised milk.
In addition to this, Monterey Jack is a rindless cheese which reduces the risk of contamination during maturation and handling.
Can you eat cooked Monterey Jack during pregnancy?
Furthermore, if you are a fan of cooked dishes involving Monterey Jack cheese, such as Grilled Cheese Sandwiches or baked pasta, you can continue to enjoy them during pregnancy.
Thoroughly cooking any type of cheese until steaming hot will actually destroy any harmful pathogens that may be present in it. Indeed, most harmful bacteria like Listeria do not survive temperatures above 75°C/165°F.
Conclusion: Monterey Jack is safe if pasteurised and/or cooked
In conclusion, it is safe to eat Monterey Jack cheese during pregnancy as long as it is made from pasteurised milk. However, it is crucial to exercise caution and ensure that the cheese is properly cooked when included in recipes.
By being mindful of the type of cheese you consume and following safe food preparation practices, you can savour the flavours of Monterey Jack while keeping yourself and your baby healthy.
Remember to consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice based on your specific circumstances. Enjoy your pregnancy journey and the delicious foods that can be safely savoured along the way!
References
Safety in Pregnancy
All the advice relating to what cheeses you can eat during pregnancy in this article is based on the recommendations by health authorities in Australia, the UK and the USA. If you are unsure about what you can or cannot eat, please consult your doctor.
Australia – FSANZ, United Kingdom – NHS and United Sates of America – FDA
Nutritional content
The nutritional content of cheese in our table comes from the USDA Food Data Central Repository and cheese manufacturers. We realise that there can be variations between different brands and producers. Hence, the numbers we have used are averages.
Fat
Our fat RDI data comes from Cleveland Clinic’s Healthy Fat Intake resource.
Type of fat in cheese as per Harvard T.H. Chan’s The Nutrition Source.
Protein
Our protein RDI data comes from Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publishing.
Sabine is the creative force behind Cheese Scientist. She is a sustainable living advocate, a climate change protestor and is pro-choice. And, most relevantly, she is also a lactose intolerant cheese lover.
