Icecream!

How do the rules work on eating icecream in pregnancy? I think I read somewhere that you aren't supposed to have cream freezes.... Why is that? and does that include things like thick shakes? I really want one of those McFlurry things

Listeria risk, soft serve sits in chilled 'drum' for some time.

Sorry for short answer, typing one-handed lol

you are kidding right? ive been depriving my self of mcdonalds sundaes for NOTHING?

waa.. might get partner to pick me one up on his way home.. maybe two to make up for he months and months with no sundaes hehe..

I didn't even think about ice cream as being naughty when I was pregnant. Oops!

I used to work at a McDonalds though, and the soft serve machine had a thorough wash out every night at closing. I would say they'd be okay.

I've just got to put in my 2c worth, my understanding at least! I believe (and have talked to a microbiologist friend) that all these can't haves during pregnancy are due to the risks involved if you do get listeria or the likes from eating a particular product. I understand that the risks are the same whether pregnant or not (don't have anything to back that one up, sorry).

For example: soft cheese - all NZ cheese is pasturised (therefore safe) and the bugs can grow when you put it back in the fridge, therefore you just have to eat it all when you open it - such a shame . However, to be careful if its imported cheese...

Seafood - don't eat it anyway, but would stay clear, they are natural filter's after all!

Deli meats & salads - probably wise to stay clear regardless of pregnancy, just due to contamination and it all being out in the 'open'.

Sushi - same as above, but I've been slack this pregnancy and I trust my local that its all made fresh, sealed and I buy before lunchtime


Anyway, food for thought and each to their own. All the best for your pregnancies and bring on the McFlurries!

I think the increased risk is because our immune systems are down so as not to fight the 'intruder' that the embryo/foetus/baby would be seen as, and as such, the risk of catching bugs like listeria is increased. Also, listeria while NOT preg isnt all that harmful (based loosely on what I have read in passing of course) but if caught while preg can have fatal effects on the unborn child.

Also, listeria generally presents itself with cold/flu type symptoms, so some people may have caught it, and simply brushed it off as a common cold or flu, therefore not being reported as listeria doesnt mean it hasnt happened... hope that made sense???

As for sushi, the problem is in the rice. Traditionally it is cooked, left to chill, then used to make sushi... so even if you were to buy 'freshly made sushi' the rice has still been sitting for X number of hours... that is why sushi is on the 'not recommended' list. Not that it bothers me, I dont eat the stuff anyways

Gee I can ramble a fair bit when I have 2 hands available to type with... maybe I should have DD on my lap more often

I have been eating soft serve too, badly this thread is making me want one.

becsscolly you are right all of your examples are due to the chance of listeria except for the seafood one. from what I have heard, home made sushi is fine. seafood is not recommended as you say they are natures filter so any toxins in the water go straight into them (thus the beachs being closed for collection etc) and it may not be picked up until someone becomes ill. Some of the toxins can be pretty nasty and effect central nervous system i.e. paralytic shellfish poisoning.

i may have just eaten two super sundaes

ok i dont recommend the two super sundaes, too much icecream and makes you feel sick afterwards.

I had no idea!!! Woooops!

mmmmmmmmmmm ice-cream