Can You Eat Brie Cheese When Pregnant?

Pregnancy comes with a set of ordeals or sacrifices regarding the food you may love. Many pregnant women, including first-time mothers, may receive several conflicting pieces of advice about what is and isn’t safe to eat. Generally, a healthy diet must be followed to ensure good health for the mother and her baby. Women often worry, “Is Brie safe during pregnancy?” as this cheese is not just deliciously soft, but many of its varieties are made worldwide. So, analysing what is best for pregnant ladies to relish the delicious Brie cheese dishes after weighing their pros and cons is best.

What Is Brie Cheese?

Brie is a soft cheese prepared from cow’s milk to produce pasta. Originally named after the Brie region of France, it has a pale colour with a slightly greyish tinge at times. Brie contains a minimal amount of lactose, a natural milk sugar. It has a white mould crust, and the rind can be consumed. Its flavour largely depends upon the ingredients used and its manufacturing environment (6).

Brie may be produced from whole or semi-skimmed milk. The enzyme Rennet is added to raw milk, salt, and bacteria known as cheese cultures. The curd is then warmed to a maximum temperature of 37 °C. Next, the cheese is cast into moulds, sometimes with a traditional perforated ladle called a Pelle à brie. During the ripening process, white mould forms the rind of the cheese. Unlike other moulds growing on food, this is not spoilt and is perfectly safe to eat.

Among the different varieties of Brie made either with whole or partly skimmed milk, ripened for varying durations, and added with herbs and spices, its exact flavour, taste, and texture depends on the ingredients used for that specific type as well as the environment where it has been ripened or manufactured. 

Benefits of Having Brie Cheese During Pregnancy 

Cheese is a healthy, balanced diet, considering its health benefits. Here are some reasons why eating Brie Cheese during pregnancy is not bad.

1. Vitamins 

Brie cheese contains vitamins like vitamin B12, riboflavin, folate, and niacin that are good for your overall health. Vitamin A found in Brie can keep the immune system healthy and works well for maintaining shining hair and glowing skin, and vitamin D boosts bone health. Vitamins also help break down the various carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body that can be used as energy for different activities.

2. Proteins and Fats

Brie is a rich source of proteins and fat, including saturated fat. Full-fat dairy is associated with healthier body weight and minimises your risk of cardiac illnesses. The protein in Brie contains amino acids that take care of your overall health. In contrast, the unsaturated fatty acids found in Brie contain trans-palmitoleic acid, which helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

3. Minerals 

Brie contains several essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, and manganese, that can help in bone tissue formation. The zinc in Brie helps support the functioning of enzymes in the cells, while its selenium content is a good antioxidant.

4. Carbohydrates and Calories 

The calorie and carbs content in Brie cheese provides a healthy energy source to your body. However, one ounce of Brie cheese offers about 0.13 grams of carbohydrates in the form of sugar (8).

5. Low in Lactose 

As Brie cheese is low in lactose, it will not cause any side effects or health risks to those suffering from lactose intolerance.

6. Linoleic Acid

Brie’s ripening process results in the formation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a highly anti-inflammatory compound that may exert anticancer effects on consumers (7).

Can You Eat Brie Cheese When Pregnant?

Among the foodborne illnesses in the United States, Listeria is one of the primary causes of death for the common population. It isn’t like other bacteria that get killed by refrigeration or freezing. Moreover, pregnant women are ten times more vulnerable to listeria infection than others. Soft cheeses like Brie are the ideal breeding ground for Listeria, the bacteria that causes Listeriosis. There is a possibility of Listeriosis getting into the cheese through unpasteurised milk or unsanitary packaging. Listeriosis will come with flu-like symptoms in healthy people, like vomiting or fever (3).

As the immune system is mostly suppressed during pregnancy, pregnant women are more likely to get Listeriosis after eating dairy products containing Listeria. Thus, consuming Brie when pregnant may result in miscarriage or even stillbirth (2).

How Much Brie Can I Eat When Pregnant?

Even though eating pasteurised Brie during pregnancy is mostly considered safe, it is important not to overeat it. If eaten in moderation, Brie can promote fullness and help control one’s appetite, aiding in weight loss.

Delicious Recipes With Brie Cheese for Pregnant Ladies

In case you’re a lover of Brie Cheese, and your doctor has given you a green signal for satiating your appetite, here are some of the most delicious recipes to try Brie cheese in pregnancy:

1. Brie-Stuffed Mushrooms 

Brie-stuffed mushrooms are tasty little gems for any occasion that even non-mushroom lovers cannot resist. They’re easy to make, and you can assemble this snack ahead of time!

Ingredients 

• Baby Bella mushrooms- 12
• A small wedge of Brie cheese- 1
• Panko bread crumbs- 1/3 cup
• Pecorino cheese- 1/4 cup
• Parmesan cheese- 1/4 cup
• Fresh thyme chopped- 1 tsp
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• Olive oil- 4 tbsp

How to Prepare 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. After cleaning the mushrooms well, remove the stems. Place the mushrooms bottom side up on a baking dish and drizzle them with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add 1 tablespoon of Brie cheese to each of the mushroom cavities.
3. Combine the remaining ingredients with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season the mixture with salt and pepper. Fill a small scoop of the breadcrumb mixture into the mushroom cavity.
4. Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and the cheese is melted.
5. Take out the baking sheet from the oven and serve immediately.

2. Glazed Brie Cheese With Sugar and Nuts

When the glazed nuts with brown sugar perfectly coat the skin of the cheese, this delectable recipe is sure to win over the most Brie-shy guest.

Ingredients

• Brown Sugar- 2 tbsp
• Coarsely chopped almonds- 2 tbsp
• Brandy- 1 and 1/2 tsp
• Firm ripe whole Brie cheese- 1
• Crackers
• Golden apple slices

How to Prepare 

1. Mix the brown sugar, brandy, and chopped almonds.
2. Place the Brie cheese in a slightly larger baking dish and bake in a preheated oven set at 425°F just until the cheese softens in the centre for around 6 minutes.
3. Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the cheese. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes longer, until the sugar melts and the cheese melts in the centre.
4. Before serving, scoop the warm cheese with a spoon and spread it on the crackers and apple slices.

3. Fettuccini With Brie and Basil

Whether with a stronger Brie cheese or a medium blend, tomatoes, and basil combined, this dish turns out to be most flavourful. Great served, warm or cold.

Ingredients 

• Dry fettuccini pasta- 12 ounces
• Large tomatoes, seeded and chopped- 4
• Minced garlic cloves- 2
• Cubed Brie cheese- 1 and 1/2 cup
• Chopped fresh basil- 3/4th cup
• Olive oil- 1/2 cup
• Red wine vinegar- 1 tbsp
• Salt- 1/2 tsp
• Ground black pepper- 1/2 tsp
• Grated Brie cheese- 2 tbsp

How to Prepare 

1. Mix chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, Brie, basil, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Cover and let it marinate at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.
2. Heat a pot of water and add a little salt. Once warm, add the pasta and cook it for 12 minutes over high heat.
3. Drain out excess water from the pasta and toss with the sauce. Sprinkle with grated Brie cheese and serve.

4. Blooming Brie Bread

Inspired by the blooming onion, this bread, dipped in the melty cheese, makes the perfect appetiser to dig into with your friends and family together. 

Ingredients

• Olive oil- 2 tbsp
• Garlic powder- 1/2 tsp
• Italian seasoning- 1/2 tsp 
• Wheel Brie, top rind removed- 12 Oz
• Shredded Mozzarella- 3/4 cup

How to Prepare

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
2. Slice off the top quarter of the bread, place the wheel of Brie over it, and trace around it using a tearing knife.
3. Scoop out the inner circle of the bread and brush it with the oil mixture on the inside of the bread.
4. Cut down around the bread’s edges to create slices you can tear off after baking.
5. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup mozzarella, place Brie on top, followed by the remaining mozzarella, and place bread on top of the cheese.
6. Bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese melts and the bread becomes toasty. Serve warm.

5. Brie and Pear Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A delicious twist on the classic grilled cheese, this sandwich pairs the creaminess of Brie with the sweetness of pears for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• Whole-grain bread- 4
• Brie cheese (made from pasteurised milk), sliced- 100 g 
• Ripe pear, thinly sliced- 1
• Butter- 2 tsp

How to Prepare

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Butter one side of each slice of bread.
3. Layer Brie and pear slices on the unbuttered side of two bread slices, then top with the remaining slices, buttered side out.
4. Grill the sandwiches in the skillet until the bread is golden and the Brie is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Serve warm.

FAQs

1. Can I eat unpasteurised Brie when pregnant? 

Unpasteurised soft cheeses may sometimes contain dangerous bacteria, including those that can cause fatal tuberculosis or Listeria. This bacteria has a chance of crossing over into the placenta, leading to food poisoning. While vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever are common effects of listeriosis infection, other flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue, are also common among women. In worse cases, it can even lead to blood poisoning in the baby, stillbirth, premature birth, or even miscarriage (5).

2. Is pasteurised Brie safe during pregnancy? 

Pasteurisation is the process of heat-treating milk to destroy potentially harmful pathogens, such as Salmonella, present in the milk. When Brie is cooked or heated to around 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees C), any dangerous bacteria in the food gets killed, and the cheese can be considered safe to eat (4).

3. Is organic Brie safer during pregnancy?

Organic Brie cheese is not necessarily safer unless it is also pasteurised. The term “organic” refers to how the milk was produced but does not guarantee that the cheese is free from harmful bacteria. Always check that the Brie is pasteurised, whether organic or not. Brie cheese for pregnancy can be a safe and delicious option, as long as it is made from pasteurised milk and consumed in moderation (1).

On average, 1,600 Listeriosis cases occur annually in the United States. With only about 200 cases of pregnant women contracting Listeriosis among around 4 million cases of pregnancies per year, the odds of you contracting Listeria are rather slim. However, it’s worth considering that pregnant women don’t get unwell after contracting Listeriosis. Store your Brie in airtight packaging or plastic wrap in the refrigerator, as it’s particularly prone to spoilage or bacterial contamination if left outside the fridge. It’s best to consult your health professional and enjoy the Brie cheese delicacies you crave during the memorable pregnancy and motherhood journey.

References/Resources:

1. Food Safety During Pregnancy; Nemours KidsHealth; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/foods-pregnancy.html

2. Foods to Avoid; NHS Wales; https://111.wales.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Pregnancy/FoodsToAvoid/

3. Listeriosis; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/listeriosis/

4. People at Risk: Pregnant Women; FoodSafety.gov; https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/pregnant-women

5. Listeria Infections; Nemours KidsHealth; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/listeria.html

6. Brie; Encyclopedia Britannica; https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brie-cheese

7. Evans. N. P, Misyak. S. A, Schmelz. E. M, et al.; Conjugated linoleic acid ameliorates inflammation-induced colorectal cancer in mice through activation of PPARgamma; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2821885/

8. Cheese, brie; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172177/nutrients

Also Read:

Eating Ricotta Cheese in Pregnancy
Consuming Goat Cheese when Pregnant
Can You Eat Blue Cheese while Pregnant?
Is it Safe to Eat Feta Cheese during Pregnancy?

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