Cheese is a rich source of protein, calcium, and certain vitamins and minerals. Consuming cheese while breastfeeding can help enhance the nutritional quotient of your postnatal diet, which is much required to fulfill your and your baby’s daily nutritional requirements. However, you should take certain precautions to ensure that the products you choose are safe for consumption during this period. Continue reading this post to learn more about the types of cheese, their health benefits for nursing mothers, the nutritional value of different cheeses, and ways to identify the appropriate product.
Is It Safe To Eat Cheese While You Are Breastfeeding?
While you are breastfeeding, it is important to have a healthy and balanced diet that will be nutritious for you and your little one. It is safe to eat most pasteurized cheese types while pregnant, but some babies may react to the proteins casein and whey found in dairy products when you are breastfeeding. If your baby is in pain or gassy after a feed, it may be that the baby is struggling to digest those proteins. You can talk to your doctor or lactation consultant if the problem persists. Also, tracking what you eat and how the baby reacts after the next feed can give you an idea of your diet’s effect on your baby’s digestion of your breastmilk.
Health Benefits Of Eating Cheese While Breastfeeding
Cheese is a storehouse of nutrients that will boost your health and the growth of your breastfeeding baby. Here is a look at some of the ways cheese can work wonders for your health:
Cheese is rich in protein and calcium. Both these nutrients are vital for safeguarding your baby’s overall development. Adding protein to your diet will keep your tummy full and prevent you from snacking on junk food. The calcium will also help strengthen your bones and teeth and prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
Eating cheese along with a well-balanced diet will help you absorb lesser carbohydrates and keep your blood sugar levels in check. Image: Shutterstock
In some cases, women who eat cheese also seem to get some relief from their menstrual symptoms. Cheese is also a rich source of zinc and biotin. Zinc aids the growth and repair of your tissues. Therefore, eating the yummy cheese will not only help to pamper your taste buds but it can boost your speed of recovery too. It also prevents macular degeneration, keeps your skin healthy and makes your nails strong. Biotin helps to prevent hair fall, which is a common complaint among new moms.
Nutritional Value And Health Benefits Of Different Cheese
Have a look at the various nutritional and health benefits you get from the different types of cheese available in the supermarket:
1. Blue cheese
Eating blue cheese while breastfeeding can help manage osteoporosis and gout as well as keep your teeth healthy and strong. Blue cheese is high in saturated fat, so watch your intake.
2. Cheddar cheese
It is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, Vitamin A, and protein. It also has a high saturated fat content. Therefore, go for the low-fat variant (1).
3. Cream cheese
It is a rich source of Vitamin A, Sodium, riboflavin, protein, and phosphorus (2)
4. Feta cheese
It is a powerhouse of nutrition as it contains protein, riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, and selenium (3)
Tips To Shop For Cheese
Here are some tips for buying cheese during breastfeeding:
Go for organic cheese: Organic cheese will have a far lesser chance of contamination than regular cheese. Remember, the safety of your food is extremely crucial when you are breastfeeding your baby. Therefore, opting for organic food is a wise idea for lactating moms.
Grass-fed cheese: If you want to get something that is even better than just organic, ask for grass-fed cheese. Grass-fed cheese is a product obtained from the grass-fed dairy animals. You should try and buy the cheese that says ‘100 percent grass-fed’ on the label. Image: Shutterstock Buy from local farms: If you have a local farm near your home, try getting organic and 100% grass-fed cheese directly from there. Local farms that have smaller flocks often let their dairy animals feed in a natural habitat.
