GORGONZOLA IN PREGNANCY: THE RISKS FOR MOTHER AND BABY - PARENTHOOD

Gorgonzola in pregnancy: what are the risks? Can it be inserted into the diet?

You are a "lover of cheeses and you appreciate those too molded or blue-veined? In case you were pregnant, it is more than legitimate to ask yourself if the gorgonzola in pregnancy can harm the health of the mother and the baby. We talk about it together, focusing on the nutritional values and the possible risks that can be encountered. Before continuing with the reading, you will find below a video with the foods to watch out for during pregnancy.

Characteristics and nutritional values of gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is a cheese known for the presence of molds which give it a very intense flavor. It is not appreciated by everyone, but if you like it, know that it can be included in your meal plan in a portion of 50 grams once a week. What we must consider is that it is a very caloric cheese compared to most common fresh cheeses such as mozzarella, robiola or ricotta, but it is less caloric than many hard cheeses such as parmesan, caciocavallo, provolone or hemmentaler.

Provides about 324 calories per 100g. It can also be consumed by those suffering from high cholesterol, it is rich in vitamins and minerals, in addition, it also has a good dose of niacin, a vitamin of the b3 group that promotes blood circulation, and has an important role in the functioning of the nervous system.

Rich in calcium and phosphorus, gorgonzola contains a high percentage of fat, but if consumed in moderation it will not be absolutely harmful.

All the characteristics just mentioned are valid as general guidelines, but do they make gorgonzola a safe food during pregnancy? Let's see in more detail how a pregnant woman should orient herself.

Gorgonzola in pregnancy and risk of listeriosis

The main risk associated with the consumption of cheeses during pregnancy is that of listeriosis. It is a very dangerous infectious disease especially if contracted by pregnant women. It is triggered by a bacterium called Listeria Monocytogenes which multiplies very quickly is able to withstand even low temperatures: this is why in the case of cheeses it is not enough to put them in the fridge, especially when they are fresh.
Cheeses are not the only ones responsible for listeriosis in pregnancy, even meat and its derivatives can be carriers of the bacterium, which is why raw meat is often banned from the diet of a pregnant woman. The only way to avoid coming into contact with the bacterium Listeria it is cooking all the foods that can carry it.
Listeriosis during the nine months before childbirth can be very dangerous and in particular in the third trimester of pregnancy, even be fatal for the baby. Through the placenta the bacterium can reach the fetus causing meningitis, respiratory problems, cysts, up to miscarriage or premature birth. If the mother has contracted Listeriosis during pregnancy, there may be consequences for the baby even after its birth. .
The most common symptoms of this infection are diarrhea, vomiting, fever and headache, and if you do experience them you will need to see your doctor immediately.
Having said all these premises, you may be wondering: is gorgonzola in pregnancy therefore one of the foods to avoid?
It is a food that matures with molds, which make it the ideal environment for the spread of dangerous bacteria, just like Listeria. The advice of the experts is to avoid it, unless it is cooked.

Can I eat cooked gorgonzola cheese when pregnant?

Gorgonzola during pregnancy is one of the banned cheeses because it is potentially dangerous for the growth and correct development of the fetus. But this rule applies if the food is eaten raw.
If you are pregnant and pregnancy cravings make you crave gorgonzola, you can consume it as long as it is cooked. How? Eating a pizza with gorgonzola, for example, or a baked lasagna with cheeses, or a plate of steaming gnocchi with gorgonzola.
Cooking at high temperatures eliminates any kind of danger and therefore gorgonzola becomes a safe food during pregnancy.
The rule in all these cases is always the same: moderate the doses and do not consume cheeses too often during pregnancy because they are rather caloric foods that could favor weight gain.

Cheeses in pregnancy: those forbidden and those allowed

Here is a small handbook on cheeses to avoid and those allowed during pregnancy.
The first ones that the future mother must give up are the soft ones and the blue ones like gorgonzola, that is those that develop molds, an ideal environment for the listeriosis bacterium.
Pregnant women will have to say no to:

gorgonzola
Camembert
Brie
feta
roquefort
Danish blue
cabrales
castelmagno

This does not mean completely giving up cheese during pregnancy, also because the right types can be essential foods for the growth and development of the baby.
The best option is aged cheeses, produced with pasteurized milk and characterized by a scarce presence of water and therefore difficult to attack by bacteria.
Here are the cheeses that pregnant women can include in their pregnancy diet: