I love to eat cheese but I am pregnant. And I know that there are some cheeses that pregnant women shouldn't eat. Which ones should I avoid?  
– Louise

Soft, unpasteurized cheeses like feta, Brie, Camembert, and goat — as well as ready-to-eat meats like hot dogs and deli meats — may contain Listeria, bacteria that cause mild flu-like symptoms in most adults but can be very dangerous for unborn babies. Listeriosis, the infection caused by the bacteria, can cause miscarriage, premature birth, or severe illness or death of a newborn.

When made from pasteurized milk, cheddar, American, cottage, and cream cheeses, as well as yogurt, are all safe choices during pregnancy.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: July 2009

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