Can i eat cheez its while pregnant? [Explained]

Verified by Edna Skopljak MD
Verified by Edna Skopljak MD

Edna Skopljak is a medical doctor and an editor at BJBMS medical journal. She graduated from the University of Sarajevo School of Science and Technology.

Cheez-Its are a common pregnancy craving for many women. However, while yummy, and while you technically can eat Cheez-Its when pregnant, whether or not you should, and how safe and healthy they are, is a different question. So rather than asking can you eat Cheez-Its when pregnant? The better question is, are Cheez-Its safe to eat while pregnant, and are all Cheez-It flavors created equally?

Are Cheez-Its safe when pregnant?

No, Cheez-Its are not safe when pregnant. The tasty crackers contain moderate levels of sodium, high levels of fat, and carbohydrates – a huge 17g of carbohydrates per cracker.

They are also made using processed white flour and processed vegetable oil, which are high glycemic foods, meaning they can easily spike your blood sugar levels.

There are 8g of fat per serving of Cheez-Its, and while this is mostly unsaturated thanks to the vegetable oil, it is still a high level of fat. Reduced fat Cheez-Its still contain 6g of fat.

And although the real cheese in Cheez-Itz is often seen as a positive, pregnant women are advised to limit their cheese consumption.

This is due not only to the fat content but also because unpasteurized cheeses, as well as some pasteurized soft cheeses, carry bacteria that cause listeriosis infection, potentially resulting in blood poisoning, miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious illness to a newborn baby.

Are white cheddar Cheez-Its safe for pregnancy?

White cheddar Cheez-Its are safer than original Cheez-Its for pregnancy. However, they still contain higher than average fat levels like original Cheez-Its do and have similar amounts of sodium and carbohydrates.

White cheddar Cheez-Its are safer than original Cheez-Its mainly because cheddar as a hard cheese is much safer for pregnant women to eat than many other types of cheeses, is nearly always pasteurized, and so the risk of bacterial infection and fetal illness is much lower.

However, just because they are made with cheddar, this does not make the Cheez-Its any healthier than the original Cheez-Its, and they should at least be consumed in moderation.

What cheeses can’t you eat when pregnant?

There are several kinds of cheese that you cannot eat when pregnant, as they carry a high risk of infection for your developing baby. Cheeses not recommended during pregnancy include most soft cheeses such as camembert, brie, or goat’s cheese and soft blue cheeses like gorgonzola or Danish blue.

Which cheese is best for pregnancy?

There are many different types of cheese, and each has its own nutritional value. While all cheese contains some amount of calcium, fat, and protein, the amounts vary depending on the type of cheese. For pregnant women, it is important to choose a cheese that is high in calcium and low in fat.

Some of the best cheeses for pregnancy include:

    • Mozzarella
    • Cheddar
    • Parmesan
    • Swiss
    • Feta

      Each of these cheeses is high in calcium and low in fat, making them an excellent choice for pregnant women. In addition, they are all relatively easy to digest, which is important during pregnancy.

      If you are pregnant, you must speak with your doctor or midwife before consuming any cheese. Some cheeses, such as unpasteurized varieties, can contain bacteria that can harm pregnant women.

      However, overall, cheese is a healthy food that can provide many nutrients for both mother and child.

      Can pregnant women eat mozzarella cheese?

      Yes, mozzarella cheese is safe for pregnant women to eat. This cheese is made from pasteurized milk, which means that it does not contain any harmful bacteria. Mozzarella cheese is also high in calcium and low in fat, making it an excellent choice for pregnant women.

      Can pregnant women eat cheddar cheese?

      Yes, cheddar cheese is safe for pregnant women to eat. This cheese is made from pasteurized milk, which means that it does not contain any harmful bacteria. It is also high in calcium and low in fat, making it an excellent choice for pregnant women.

      Can pregnant women eat Parmesan cheese?

      Yes, Parmesan cheese is safe for pregnant women to eat. This cheese is made from pasteurized milk, which means that it does not contain any harmful bacteria. Since it is also high in calcium and low in fat, making it an excellent choice for pregnant women.

      Can pregnant women eat Swiss cheese?

      Yes, Swiss cheese is safe for pregnant women to eat. This cheese is made from pasteurized milk, which means that it does not contain any harmful bacteria. Swiss cheese is also high in calcium and low in fat, making it an excellent choice for pregnant women.

      Can pregnant women eat feta cheese?

      Yes, feta cheese is safe for pregnant women to eat. This cheese is made from pasteurized milk, which means that it does not contain any harmful bacteria. Feta cheese is also high in calcium and low in fat, making it an excellent choice for pregnant women.

      Conclusion

      While Cheez-Its are a great tasty snack, they are not the healthiest of foods and contain unhealthy amounts of preservatives, fats, carbohydrates, and sodium, all of which can be bad for a developing baby if over-consumed. Cheez-Its are not recommended as being safe to eat during pregnancy.

      Even though cheddar as a hard usually-pasteurized cheese, is edible while pregnant, white-cheddar-flavored Cheez-Its still contain as much fat, sodium, and preservatives as other Cheez-It flavors.

      As we do with many foods, we recommend that if you eat Cheez-Its while pregnant, you eat them in moderation and have a much smaller quantity than you would healthy foods.