With Noémie Abitbol, dietitian nutritionist based in Levallois-Perret (92)
Can I eat ice cream during pregnancy?
A particular desire for ice cream? Good news, they are generally allowed during pregnancy. There are however small exceptions when they are made based on milk or raw eggs.
Indeed, the consumption of raw or undercooked animal products are risk factors for pregnant women. contract bacteria like salmonella (in raw eggs),or Listeria monocytogenes (in raw milk) or Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause toxoplasmosis (in undercooked meat, raw fruits and vegetables) can have serious consequences for the mother and the future baby, including a miscarriage or premature delivery.
Pregnant woman: what ice cream can you eat?
Homemade ice cream when pregnant: can I eat sorbet or ice cream?
Regarding artisanal ice cream, it will be important to ask the composition of ice creams and sorbets ice cream vendors. “Artisanal ice cream can be eaten when made with pasteurized, pregnant milk, it is formally not recommended to consume ice cream made from milk or raw eggs”, says Noemie Abitbol.
Homemade sorbets are generally made with water, fruit and sugar, and can therefore be consumed during pregnancy. It is therefore possible to prepare your own homemade sorbet with your favorite fruits, without the risk of catching a poisoning.
Ben and Jerry’s, Magnum, Mars… Can I eat industrial ice cream when pregnant?
Same reflection for industrial ice cream. “Ice cream can be consumed by pregnant women when made with pasteurized milk, not raw milk ice cream”, adds the dietitian.
The food industry takes great precautions in the manufacture of its frozen desserts. Industrial ice cream is only made from milk cooked at high temperature (between 72°C and 85°C).
However, be careful not to overdo it, since they are rich in sugar, fat, additives and preservatives.
Too regular consumption of sugar can cause an increase in blood sugar level (blood sugar level) as well as the famous Gestational Diabetes so dreaded by future mothers.
It will also be necessary to check that there are no presence of alcohol inside, which is also prohibited during pregnancy.
Can I eat sabayon when pregnant ?
This frozen specialty which comes to us from Italy is unfortunately not allowed. “The sabayon is to be avoided during pregnancy, it is made with raw eggs and sometimes there is even a little alcohol in it” explains the practitioner.
You will have understood it, if a future mother has a craving for ice creamit is preferable to opt for a homemade sorbet made with a reasonable dose of sweeteners (sweetener, glucose syrup, cane sugar…).
It is possible, on an occasional basis, to have an industrial ice cream. However, having a large amount of sugar and fat inside, they should be consumed in moderation during pregnancy.
In addition, it is essential not to break the cold chain by not delaying putting the products in the freezer after consumption, especially when they contain milk.