What foods are pasterurised??

theowl_2

Hi,

Need help. Wife expecting. Read books about choosing pasterurised juices/dairy etc. We know how important calcium is, but none of the calcium-enriched fruit juices, even Tropicana, make any mention of being pasteurised. Cheeses don't seem to say either. Is everthing unpasteurised in the UK?
Bit concerned as need the nutrition, but don't want to harm the baby. They are saying that unpasteurised dairy/juices can cause problems. Shopping has become very difficult.

Thanks

skintchick

I didn;t worry, just ate milk, butter etc as normal and my baby is fine. I think most things are pasturised over here unless they say otherwise, like goats' cheese isn't I don't think, but 'normal' cheese is. Don;t worry too much about it.

FairyElephant_2

Hi theowl!

Don't panic too much!

If you buy the 'long life' type of juices (ie. not the ones which are in the fridge!) they are all totally safe. Indeed most of the refrigerated ones are too, but sometimes it is hard to find it one the labels I agree!

All milk in the UK which is sold in shops, supermarkets etc (ie. not direct from the farmer!) is pasteurised.

Most cheeses are fine - she should avoid Brie (& similar cheeses witha 'fluffy' mould coating, Camenbert etc.) and any blue veined cheeses. The pre-packed soft cheese spreads like philadelphia type ones, or the triangular ones are all fine. Be careful if buying soft cheese 'loose' from the deli counter - always ask.
Hard-type cheese like cheddar etc, are all fine.
Some goat cheeses may not always be pasteurised - it should say on the label - I love Feta and have found a couple which actually state they are made from pasteurised milk, so I stick to them to be on the safe side!

No pate - not even the pre-packed or long-life ones.

Cook all meat & fish thoroughly (I miss rare steak I must admit!).

No shellfish unless cooked and served hot (so prawn curry is fine, but prawn cocktail is not!).

Good luck, hope all goes well!

FE -x-

Oh - and a good pregnancy multivitamin with folic acid, or at least folic acid tablet on it's own, is a good idea too!

mountainlioness

As above - don't get anxious about this. if you got all worried about every bit of PG 'guidance' you'd never do anything! (I bet the anxiety does more harm than anything else) I've eaten as normal including medium steaks and runny eggs and have been totally fine - just exercise normal levels of caution on food prep and hygiene and buy good quality where you can, esp meat and eggs.

Pasteurised is the norm in this country - you have to look for speciality cheeses to get unpasteurised. Even freshly squeezed juices in supermarkets are probably treated in some way I think but then again i wouldn't hesitate to drink freshly squeezed anyway.

relax and enjoy the pregnancy

FairyElephant_2

mountainlioness - I keep forgetting the runny egg thing! Can't have a fried egg with the yolk solid - what's the point?!?! Only have one a week though, so hopefully I will be fine.....

mountainlioness

lol, you'll be fine FE

MrsTinks

If you didn't do or eat what some book or other says you shouldn't then you'd probably never move and starve to death during pregnancy...
The first few months I was hyper "can't have this, can't have that" and by 6+ months I was lusting for McDonalds and junk fook and lordy help anyone who'd stood between me and my milkshake (which you should have as apparently there is something in them that could be bad for pregnant women... like I cared!)
The reason for liver or pate is the level of I think Vit D or something is too high in there - mummy brain has kicked in and I can't recall what it is that's the problem
Moderation is the important thing
And yes most cheeses and milk in this country are pasturised

kitchpoo

The powers that be have lowered the amount of Tuna you can have too, to 1 tin a week. (if you are following the advice to the letter!)

galvanizersbaby

kitchpoo wrote: »

The powers that be have lowered the amount of Tuna you can have too, to 1 tin a week. (if you are following the advice to the letter!)

That's interesting! - I don't recall tuna being on the naughty list when I was pg - what's the reasoning behind it?

MERFE

It was mentioned when I was pregnant and I think its the whole mercury levels fish thing, The levels arent so bad in tuna to say not to have it but just limit the amount. Although I am guessing from memory so could be completely wrong - it was a while ago.lol

With regards pasteurised my midwife only briefly mentioned you shouldnt have anything unpasteurised but that most stuff is pasteurised so not to worry about it too much.

Mojisola

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

That's interesting! - I don't recall tuna being on the naughty list when I was pg - what's the reasoning behind it?

They think the mercury levels in tuna are too high.

I don't know how any of us older ones had healthy babies when we ate and drank as normal while pregnant! My sister, who is a few years older than me, was recommended a bottle of Guinness a day throughout her pregnancy - and that came from the midwife.