We all know that there are some foods that should not be eaten during pregnancy as they can negatively affect the health of the baby. So what about the delicious topping that takes baked potatoes and nachos to the next level, sour cream?
To put it simply, sour cream and other dairy products for that matter, are safe to consume during pregnancy. However, before adding a dollop to your favorite dish, it’s important to check that it has been pasteurized. This shouldn’t be too difficult to find since most brands will have gone through this process.
What is pasteurization?
Pasteurization is the process in which milk is heated to a certain temperature in order to kill harmful bacteria such as, Listeria monocytogenes. Pregnant women and unborn children are highly susceptible to contracting listeriosis from contaminated dairy due to their impaired/undeveloped immune systems. This can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, and other serious complications.
Other concerns
Even if sour cream is pasteurized, it is still recommended to choose brands that don’t use excessive ingredients, particularly ones that can’t be pronounced. A good sour cream will contain few, natural ingredients, and will be healthier for both mother and child. Sour cream is also high in fat, so it should be used sparingly. Consider reduced fat or no fat options, which will reduce the amount of calories consumed since most of the calories in sour cream come from fat.