One of the best parts of being pregnant is that no one’s judging you as you thoroughly enjoy your dinner (and some ice cream.) Ice cream is a pretty typical pregnancy craving — with or without pickles. Feeling tempted to devour the entire pint in one sitting? The phrase “eating for two” can be misleading. While it’s perfectly okay to enjoy ice cream during pregnancy, it’s crucial to keep those cravings in check and indulge in moderation. But is soft serve ice cream safe during pregnancy? Here’s what you need to know.
Why am I craving ice cream?
Pregnancy cravings are a fascinating thing. Medical specialists believe hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy may trigger these intense desires for specific foods. The urge can be so powerful that expectant mothers often describe feeling completely preoccupied until they satisfy the particular craving.
Pregnancy-related food cravings are remarkably common. Studies indicate that between 50-90% of pregnant women in the United States report experiencing specific food cravings during their pregnancy journey.
These cravings typically begin to show up toward the end of the first trimester, often reaching their most intense point during the second trimester. As pregnancy progresses toward delivery, most women notice their cravings gradually diminishing.
Some healthcare providers suggest these cravings might serve as the body’s way of signaling nutritional needs, though this theory hasn’t been conclusively proven. The cravings can range from traditional comfort foods to unusual combinations that might seem strange outside of pregnancy. Many women report craving both sweet and savory foods, with preferences sometimes shifting dramatically throughout the pregnancy.
Is soft serve ice cream safe during pregnancy?
There are a few types of ice cream to be concerned about, including soft serve and custards. If you love custard, make sure that there are no raw eggs in the preparation. That’s because raw eggs might carry salmonella. Cooked egg custard, though, is just fine and completely delicious.
So is soft serve ice cream safe during pregnancy? While soft serve ice cream usually doesn’t have raw eggs in it, think about the store preparing the ice cream. If they don’t have strict cleaning standards, listeria may grow in the apparatus that dispenses ice cream.
“Listeria is a type of bacteria that is usually transmitted through food and food products,” says Nipunie Rajapakse, M.D., Doctor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Mayo Clinic. “It is especially a concern if you’re pregnant, if you’re elderly or if you have a weakened immune system for some reason.”
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can change an expectant mother’s immune system, making her more susceptible to contracting foodborne illnesses like listeria. Listeria can have a destructive impact on your developing baby. “It can have really severe outcomes for babies, including risk of stillbirth or death,” shares Dr. Rajapakse.
Understanding Listeria Risk in Soft Serve
Listeria bacteria is particularly concerning because it can survive and grow at refrigeration temperatures, unlike many other foodborne pathogens. The CDC estimates that about 1,600 people get listeriosis each year in the United States, with pregnant women being about 10 times more likely to contract the infection than the general population.
The machine that processes soft serve ice cream may not be cleaned properly, so there’s an increased risk of listeria contamination.
Recognizing Listeria Symptoms
Pregnant women should be aware of listeria symptoms, which can sometimes be mild and flu-like:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
According to the FDA, “There are two forms of the disease: the less severe, non-invasive gastrointestinal listeriosis, and the more severe form, invasive listeriosis, which occurs when the Listeria spreads beyond the intestines.” The FDA further advises that if you suspect you may have a foodborne illness, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Pregnant women with listeriosis may only experience mild, flu-like symptoms, but the consequences can be devastating for their unborn babies, potentially resulting in miscarriage, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
The Importance of Pasteurization
Pasteurization is a critical safety measure for ice cream products. The International Dairy Foods Association defines pasteurization as “a process, named after scientist Louis Pasteur, that applies heat to destroy pathogens in foods.” This process eliminates pathogens like listeria and salmonella that could be present in raw dairy.
As long as it was made with pasteurized milk, pregnant women can have soft-serve ice cream. The important thing is to make sure the source is clean and reputable.
How to Make Safer Choices
When craving soft serve during pregnancy, consider these guidelines:
- Choose reputable establishments: Large chain restaurants and popular ice cream shops typically have standardized cleaning protocols and regular health inspections.
- Ask about cleaning procedures: Don’t hesitate to ask when the soft serve machine was last cleaned. Responsible establishments clean their machines daily.
- Timing matters: Visit during busy periods when product turnover is high, reducing the time mix sits in machines.
- Look for cleanliness cues: A generally clean establishment with proper food handling practices visible to customers is more likely to maintain clean ice cream equipment.
- Check health inspection scores: Many jurisdictions require posting health inspection results where customers can see them.
The FDA Food Code recommends that food service establishments disassemble, clean, and sanitize soft serve machines at least every 24 hours. However, as a consumer, it’s difficult to know if this is happening.
If you’re concerned about listeria contamination but still want to enjoy frozen treats during pregnancy, consider choosing commercially packaged ice cream from the grocery store, which undergoes stringent safety protocols.
Safe Alternatives to Satisfy Your Cravings
If you’re concerned about soft serve safety, consider these alternatives:
- Premium packaged ice cream: Store-bought hard ice cream undergoes stricter safety controls and poses less risk.
- Homemade ice cream: If made with pasteurized ingredients and fully cooked egg bases.
- Frozen yogurt bars: Individually wrapped products eliminate machine contamination concerns.
- Sorbet or fruit-based popsicles: Many contain no dairy and satisfy the cold, sweet craving.
- DIY soft serve texture: Let premium ice cream soften slightly at room temperature for a few minutes for a similar consistency.
Nutritional Considerations
While focusing on safety, don’t forget nutrition. Ice cream can provide calcium beneficial for your baby’s developing bones, but it’s also high in sugar and fat.
You can enjoy your ice cream craving in moderation. Aim for one small serving a few times per week rather than daily indulgence. Choose options with lower sugar content when possible, and look for those with added nutritional benefits like calcium-enriched varieties.
Focus on getting calcium from more nutritious sources like milk, yogurt, and fortified plant milks for everyday consumption.
Enjoying Ice Cream During Your Pregnancy
The bottom line is this: your ice cream needs to be made or served in a facility that’s safe and clean. Ask the store employees if there are any raw eggs in their ice cream to be sure. This will help you avoid the risk of nasty salmonella.
The CDC advises pregnant women to exercise caution with soft serve ice cream but doesn’t prohibit its consumption entirely. Their general recommendation is to choose pasteurized dairy products and eggs and to be careful about food safety.
Remember that while the risks of a foodborne illness are real, they’re also relatively rare with proper precautions. With these guidelines, you can make informed choices about enjoying frozen treats during your pregnancy.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on February 21, 2018, and has since been updated.