Balsamic Vinegar whilst pregnant. Yes or no?

[AussieBub]

Hey ladies,

Quick question; can you have Balsamic Vinegar whilst pregnant? I've googled it and most mothers said they had it and it was fine. Then i saw one page that said it contains a harmful substance, but you'd have to drink a lot of it for it to be a problem. I was wanting to have it on my salad and dont know what I should do. My first midwife appointment isnt for another 5 days, so i'd have to wait to ask. But yeah, anyone have any knowledge or experience with having some whilst pregnant?

-AussieBub

 

[sueh81]

one of my cravings when I was pregnant last time was bread and oils and I dipped in the balsamic vinegar,obviously not in huge portions just enough to enjoy it, i've had it on my salad a few times this pregnancy too

 

[AussieBub]

My mum makes a yummy salad with spinach leaves, strawberries, mango and pine nuts drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar. I absolutely love it and wanted to make it but ive been unsure how safe it is. Its kinda annoying having to check if food is safe to eat, every time i get a craving :/

-AussieBub

 

[sueh81]

I think the only major no no's are soft cheeses, runny eggs, shellfish / raw fish, undercooked meats (no medium rare steak for another 8 months for me!! )

that salad sounds gorgeous!!

 

[Emma93]

Hmmm, I hope it's okay! I've been having it on top of my salad..

xxx​

 

[GrowingMum]

I've not heard anything about balsamic vinegar beeing a no no. Ive had it on salads. Also aren't soft cheeses fine as long as they are made w pasturized milk, which they almost always are (at least in the US)?

 

[sueh81]

I've not heard anything about balsamic vinegar beeing a no no. Ive had it on salads. Also aren't soft cheeses fine as long as they are made w pasturized milk, which they almost always are (at least in the US)?

yeah thats right! its just brie and stilton types that you can't have (mould ripened soft cheeses) pasteurised milk ones are fine x

 

[wantb502]

My mum makes a yummy salad with spinach leaves, strawberries, mango and pine nuts drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar. I absolutely love it and wanted to make it but ive been unsure how safe it is. Its kinda annoying having to check if food is safe to eat, every time i get a craving :/

-AussieBub

That salad sounds amazing!! In regards to the soft cheese, it's because of it being unpasturized. At least in my town, they passed a law that they can't serve unpasturized cheeses at restaurants. I eat feta all the time, pasturized only.

 

[GrowingMum]

Oh, what if brie says pasturized on the label? I LOVE brie. I'm thinking its fine but Im a worrier.

 

[sueh81]

Oh, what if brie says pasturized on the label? I LOVE brie. I'm thinking its fine but Im a worrier.

this is what i found on the nhs website...

Some types of cheese

Don't eat mould-ripened soft cheese, such as brie and camembert, whether it's made with cows' or goats' milk. You should also avoid soft blue-veined cheeses, such as Danish blue, gorgonzola and roquefort.
This is because soft cheeses like this are less acidic than hard cheeses and they contain more moisture, which means they can be an ideal environment for harmful bacteria, such as listeria, to grow in.

 

[babydustpower]

You may want to check the Lead content in your Balsamic Vinegar

https://www.drgourmet.com/askdrgourmet/balsamicv-lead.shtml#.UXgK8MqNC4M

I bought a big bottle of balsamic vinegar from Costco, flipped it around and there at the bottom was a warning that it contained lead

 

[BubsMom17]

Oh, what if brie says pasturized on the label? I LOVE brie. I'm thinking its fine but Im a worrier.

this is what i found on the nhs website...

Some types of cheese

Don't eat mould-ripened soft cheese, such as brie and camembert, whether it's made with cows' or goats' milk. You should also avoid soft blue-veined cheeses, such as Danish blue, gorgonzola and roquefort.
This is because soft cheeses like this are less acidic than hard cheeses and they contain more moisture, which means they can be an ideal environment for harmful bacteria, such as listeria, to grow in.

In the US, all domestic cheeses are required to be pasteurized when commerically distributed, regardless of the variety. I know this is not the case in Europe and elsewhere, but my doc said go ahead as long as they are domestic and it specifies "pasteurized" on the container.

 

[GrowingMum]

Thanks for thethe info Sueh. I found a webmd article that says:

" But now, the FDA says, new data show that Listeria lurks only in unpasteurized feta, Brie, Camembert, queso blanco, queso fresco, blue cheeses, and other soft cheeses. Those made from pasteurized milk are OK."

Yay, I can treat myself to some brie and crackers!

Wow, that is shocking about the lead. How much is in there? Why?

 

[BubsMom17]

You may want to check the Lead content in your Balsamic Vinegar

https://www.drgourmet.com/askdrgourmet/balsamicv-lead.shtml#.UXgK8MqNC4M

I bought a big bottle of balsamic vinegar from Costco, flipped it around and there at the bottom was a warning that it contained lead

Lead?! That's a little scary... I'm guessing it is from the aging process in the bottles or barrels or whatever... luckily I am not a fan of balsamic!

 

[GrowingMum]

Thanks BubsMom! I just read your post. (Don't know how to quote on my phone). I'm glad your dr says the same.

 

[AussieBub]

Thanks for that article babydustpowder. I'd seen an article saying it contained a harmful substance but it didnt specify it was lead. I'll check what it says on my bottle before i put any of my salad. I'll definitely ration it down though and drizzle one or two tablespoons instead of just drizzling straight from the bottle lol. Thanks ladies.

-AussieBub

 

[TMonster]

I was told to avoid pasteurized brie and blue cheeses due to the mold but if cooked and the rind isnt eaten its okay.

 

[GrowingMum]

I was told to avoid pasteurized brie and blue cheeses due to the mold but if cooked and the rind isnt eaten its okay.

Ugh, just when I thought it was ok. Who told you this? Your doc?

I dont usually cook it but avoiding rind is easy.

I'm going to ask my mw at my 1st appt. In 2 weeks.

 

[Pearls18]

My doctor said runny eggs were fine, he looked at me like a crazy woman when I asked if I could have them.

 

[BubsMom17]

My doctor said runny eggs were fine, he looked at me like a crazy woman when I asked if I could have them.

Yeah, I heard that too. I read that salmonella from eggs actually comes from the outside of the egg, on the surface of the shell. If you wash the egg in hot soapy water, it will kill the salmonella. The salmonella isn't from the egg white or the yoke. The inside of the egg is sterile.

So I can see not eating runny eggs at a restaurant, but at home I feel safe eating them.

I love runny eggs on buttery toast... *drool....*