Eating Paneer During Pregnancy

Pregnancy requires you to make correct choices in terms of food, not only for your health but also for your unborn baby’s well being. If you are wondering whether to add paneer (unsalted cottage cheese) to your pregnancy diet, then you are at the right place. In this article, we shall discuss the various health benefits of consuming paneer in pregnancy and also address risks, if any. We have also provided some delicious paneer recipes that you can easily make to spice up your pregnancy diet. But, let’s first find out whether or not paneer is safe for consumption during pregnancy.

Is It Safe to Eat Paneer During Pregnancy?

If you’re wondering whether or not you can include paneer during pregnancy, if paneer is good for pregnancy, then the answer is yes. The answer is simple – you must add paneer to your pregnancy diet if you are not lactose intolerant. Paneer is a rich source of calcium and first-class protein and thus, can be included to meet the daily recommended dosage. It is also recommended to eat cooked versions of paneer to make it easier to digest.

Now, let’s take a look at its nutrition value and health benefits.

How Much Paneer Can You Eat While Pregnant?

Now that you know that you can include paneer in your pregnancy diet, the next question that will come to your mind is how much paneer you can eat when pregnant. Well, paneer should be eaten in moderation during pregnancy. Generally, 50-100 gms of paneer is appropriate for a pregnant woman to consume. But do consult your doctor to know exactly how much paneer you can eat when pregnant.

Nutritional Value of Paneer

Here’s the nutrition you’d get from approximately 40 grams of paneer.

• Energy – 103.15 Kcal
• Protein – 7.5 grams
• Calcium – 190 mg
• Folates – 37.3 mg
• Phosphorus – 132 mg
• Carbs – 4.9 grams
• Fat – 6 grams

Benefits of Eating Paneer During Pregnancy

Paneer has many health benefits in general. It, therefore, is a great food item for mothers-to-be. Some of these benefits are discussed below:

1. Good for Teeth and Bone Formation: Paneer is rich in calcium and phosphorus. It is, therefore, beneficial for the formation and development of your baby’s teeth and bones. The minerals also bring about the proper functioning of the nervous system and also help in warding off demineralisation of bones during pregnancy.
2. Provides Energy: Paneer, being a rich source of protein helps in increasing stamina and providing energy. It will help you keep up with the symptoms of pregnancy, especially morning sickness in the first trimester.
3. Great Source of Protein: Paneer is loaded with protein and thus, is ideal for pregnant women who are constantly searching for ways to keep up with their protein requirements. Protein is also very important for the growth and development of your unborn baby.
4. Helps Control Body Weight: Paneer satiates hunger pangs during pregnancy. By making you feel full, it can help you keep your weight in control.
5. Helps Control Blood Sugars: Eating paneer during pregnancy can also control high blood sugar during pregnancy. Paneer is highly recommended in meals and can also be consumed in the form of a snack.
6. Helps Deal With Pain: With pregnancy comes joint pain and aches, which may make you very uncomfortable. Paneer is had anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce pregnancy-associated pains and swelling to some extent.

During pregnancy, you might be drawn towards some food items without even realising. Although paneer is a healthy option, too much of it could cause medical issues. You also need to ensure you take some precautions while consuming this food item. Read on to know more.

Precautions You Need to Take While Eating Paneer During Pregnancy

As mentioned earlier, moderation works best when it comes to including paneer in your pregnancy diet. Apart from that, you might be wondering how to eat paneer in pregnancy. Well, you need to take the following precautions while eating paneer during pregnancy:

• Make sure you consume paneer that is made from pasteurized milk as that made from unpasteurized milk may cause indigestion. The best thing that you can do is eat homemade paneer.
• It is recommended not to eat raw paneer during pregnancy as it could be home to breeding bacteria, which could be harmful to you and the baby growing inside you.
• Make sure you check the expiry date of the paneer if you have procured it from the market. If made at home consume it within 2-3 days Paneer is a perishable food item and cannot be stored for long.
• It is suggested that you buy paneer from a renowned store or of a good brand and check the labels to confirm it is good quality paneer.
• Refrain from eating discoloured, dried or cracked paneer; it may be stale and not good for consumption.

How to Make Paneer at Home Effortlessly?

Paneer can be easily made at home. Here’s how you can make approximately 200 grams of paneer with a litre of milk:

What You Will Need ?

• 1-litre milk (preferably full-fat milk)
• 1 teaspoon of a souring agent (vinegar or lemon)

How to Prepare?

1. Heat the milk in a heavy-bottomed pan.
2. Bring it to a boil over medium flame.
3. Once the milk boils, take the milk off the stovetop.
4. Add the souring agent and keep stirring till the paneer coagulates and the water separates from it.
5. You may add some ice to bring the temperature down. Adding ice or cold water allows the paneer and the water to cool faster and makes it easier to handle it with hands.
6. Now, that the mix is cooled down, strain the water with the help of a muslin cloth.
7. Squeeze out all the water.
8. Your homemade paneer is ready to be used.

Now you know how to make paneer at home. But, bear in mind that this paneer is still uncooked/raw. When you want to make your favourite paneer recipe, you must cook it appropriately to prevent any health issues. Still wondering why you cannot eat uncooked paneer? Read on to find out.

Can You Eat Uncooked Paneer During Pregnancy?

If you love eating paneer, then any form of paneer may tempt you. However, you need to be cautious when it comes to consuming uncooked or raw paneer during pregnancy. This is because raw paneer is prone to bacteria, and consuming paneer, especially the store brought one may lead to health problems in spite of being made from pasteurized milk. To avoid any health-related complications refrain from eating uncooked paneer during the pregnancy term.

We have emphasised enough on eating paneer in moderation. In this section, we shall take a look at the side effects of overeating paneer.

Side Effects of Overeating Paneer

Eating paneer in excessive quantities can lead to the following side effects:

• Paneer has a considerably high level of sodium and can affect your blood pressure.
• Eating a large amount of paneer may lead to indigestion, stomach trouble, and in some cases, may cause food poisoning as well.
• Excessive amounts of hight fat paneer in your diet can lead to weight gain during pregnancy.

All this information could be overwhelming, but there’s nothing to worry when it comes to eating paneer during pregnancy. Just remember to consume it fresh and in moderation. Here are some recipes you can enjoy during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Dishes That Are Safe to Eat in Pregnancy

Everyone loves paneer and dishes made using paneer. But during pregnancy, you must be very careful about what you eat. Here are the names of some of paneer dishes that you can relish during this time.

1. Palak Paneer

A quite healthy and a tasty way of adding paneer in your pregnancy diet. Plus, you get to enjoy the dual benefits of spinach as well as paneer.

2. Aloo Paneer Chat

A great lip-smacking snack that works as great mid-day snack to munch around when feeling hungry.

3. Paneer Tikka

Everyone’s favourite paneer tikka is safe to be consumed during the pregnancy time. But try and prepare it at home.

Paneer Recipes for Pregnant Women

You may easily make the following paneer recipes and give an exciting twist to your everyday pregnancy meals.

1. Spicy Paneer Skewers

This is a simple snack recipe and can be used as a side dish.

What You Will Need ?

• 200 grams paneer (cut into cubes)
• 2-3 medium-sized capsicum (cut into cubes)
• 1 medium onion (cut into cubes)
• 1 cup hung curd
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp carom seeds
• ½ tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp chaat masala
• ½ tsp black pepper powder
• 1 tbsp oil
• Juice of a lemon
• Salt to taste

How to Prepare?

1. Put hung curd in a big bowl, add all the spices and salt to it.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and some oil to the mixture.
3. Add chopped paneer cubes and vegetable into the curd mixture.
4. Let it marinate for at least an hour.
5. Take the paneer and vegetable cubes and thread them alternately onto skewers or toothpicks.
6. Shallow fry them in a pan for approx 3-4 minutes or until done.
7. Once done, sprinkle chat masala and lemon juice.
8. Eat them just like that or with some pudina chutney.

2. Palak Paneer

This is a delicious, easy-to-make, main-course dish that you can have with a flatbread or rice.

What You Will Need?

• 200 grams paneer (cut into cubes)
• 500-600 grams of spinach leaves
• 2 chopped medium-sized onions
• 2 chopped medium-sized tomatoes
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tbsp clarified butter
• ½ cup fresh cream
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• Salt to taste

How to Make?

1. Blanch the spinach leaves. Once done, churn them into a fine paste.
2. In a pan, heat some clarified butter. Add chopped onions and cook them till they turn golden brown.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes and give it a good mix. Cover the pan and let it cook for 6-7 minutes, or until the tomatoes turn soft.
5. Add all the spices and salt, cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Add the spinach paste to the pan and mix.
7. Cover the pan and cook for 5 minutes.
8. After the spinach paste is cooked, add the paneer. Cook on a medium flame for a couple of minutes.
9. Add cream and mix well.
10. You may choose to fry the paneer cubes in some ghee if you do not mind some extra fat in your diet. Fry them on medium flame till they are slightly golden in colour and cook in the palak paste only for a minute or two.

3. Paneer, Tomato and Red Onion Salad

A paneer rich salad that you can enjoy before lunch time.

What You Will Need?

• Paneer cubes
• Red onion – sliced
• Tomato
• Olives

How to Make?

1. Combine small paneer cubes with sliced red onion, tomatoes and olives.
2. Serve this salad over a bed of lettuce.

4. Paneer Veggie Wrap

A super tasty warp made using paneer and easy to make at home.

What You Will Need?

• Paneer cubes
• Slices carrots
• Other vegetables of your choice
• Tortilla

How to Make?

1. Wrap up a mixture of paneer cubes, slices carrots, cucumber and other veggies inside of a tortilla.
2. Enjoy the wrap with your favourite dipping sauce for a quick lunch.

FAQs

1. Is It safe to Eat Raw Paneer When Pregnant?

You should avoid eating raw or uncooked paneer during pregnancy even if it were made from pasteurized milk. Always cook the paneer before you eat to remove any harmful bacteria present in it.

2. Can Consuming Paneer in Pregnancy Improve Your Baby’s Skin?

No scientific evidence proves that eating paneer during pregnancy improves a baby’s skin.

Overall, paneer can be a good food item for those pregnant women who are not lactose intolerant. With some precautionary measures, you can add paneer to your diet and reap all its goodness during pregnancy.

References/Resources:

1. PANEER; fdc.nal.usda.gov; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/392808/nutrients

2. DIET CHART FOR PREGNANT WOMEN IN WEST INDIA; wcd.nic.in; https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/Diet%20Chart%20For%20West%20India.pdf

3. What to eat before, during and after pregnancy; unicef.org; https://www.unicef.org/rosa/stories/what-eat-during-and-after-pregnancy

4. My Safe Motherhood; nhm.gov.in; https://nhm.gov.in/images/pdf/programmes/maternal-health/guidelines/my_safe_motherhood_booklet_english.pdf

5. Pregnancy: Nutrition; my.clevelandclinic.org; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/12593-pregnancy-nutrition

Also Read:

Apple during Pregnancy
Peanuts when Pregnant
Consuming Ghee in Pregnancy
Can You Eat Tofu while Pregnant