Last Updated on September 24, 2022
Eating fondue is a fun and fancy way to level up your family meal. But can you still eat cheese fondue while you are pregnant?
Pregnant women can eat cheese fondue because it is traditionally made from hard and pasteurized cheeses such as Gruyere and Emmental. Stay away from cheese fondue that contains wine and other alcohol, or make sure you reheat it until the alcohol is cooked off.
How about other ingredients that are usually dipped in cheese fondue? Are they safe for pregnant women? This post will answer all your questions and provide some tips for enjoying this tasty dish safely.
Is Fondue Safe During Pregnancy?
Cheese fondue is a dish made of melted cheeses and other ingredients, typically served with bread or vegetables for dipping. It originated in Switzerland and is now popular all over the world.
Unpasteurized cheese is a no-no during pregnancy, as it may contain harmful bacteria that can put you and your baby at risk (source: Journal of Nutritional Science). Fortunately, fondue is traditionally made with hard and pasteurized cheeses such as Gruyere and Emmental, which are safe for pregnant women to eat.
However, some cheese fondue recipes call for wine or other types of alcohol. Alcoholic beverages or dishes made with alcohol are not recommended during pregnancy as they can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital disabilities (source: Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health).
If you want to enjoy cheese fondue while pregnant, make sure to choose a recipe that doesn’t call for any alcohol, or reheat the dish until the alcohol is cooked off. Don’t just simmer it. Boil it to 172 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 seconds (source: What’s Cooking America). This will make it safe for you to consume.
As for other ingredients that are commonly dipped into cheese fondues, such as bread and vegetables, these are also perfectly safe for pregnant women to eat. Just make sure that the vegetables are washed properly to remove any dirt or bacteria. To prevent food poisoning, avoid dipping foods that have been sitting out for too long.
Can Pregnant Women Have Beer Cheese?
Beer cheese is a type of cheese spread usually made with beer, cheeses, and spices. It is popular in the United States, particularly in the area around Lexington, Kentucky.
Because beer cheese contains alcohol, pregnant women are advised not to eat it. Beer cheese spreads or any other dishes that contain alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects (source: NHS UK).
If you are pregnant and crave beer cheese, you can try making a non-alcoholic version at home. Many recipes are available online that use non-alcoholic beer or no beer at all. Just make sure to choose a recipe that uses pasteurized cheeses to avoid the risk of food poisoning (source: CDC).
If you really want to want to indulge in beer cheese, try to make it into a fondue. Beer cheese usually doesn’t contain much beer, and the alcohol content of beer is usually much lower than wine and other types of alcohol. Melting the beer cheese will cook off the alcohol, making it a safe option during pregnancy.
For more on cheeses that are safe when pregnant, check out our guide.
Cheese fondue is a delicious and fun dish to eat. As long as you follow the tips above, you can enjoy it safely even when you are pregnant. So go ahead and indulge in this tasty treat!
This article has been reviewed and approved for publication in line with our editorial policy.
