We've received quite few questions on whether yogurt is safe during pregnancy. So this week we're looking specifically at that issue.

Dairy foods, including yogurt, are encouraged as a healthy choice during pregnancy as they are the most readily available and absorbable source of dietary calcium. In line with dietary guidelines for all adults, pregnant women are encouraged to make the majority of their dairy choices reduced fat.

There is some confusion about the appropriateness of yogurt as a food during pregnancy. Women are advised to avoid certain foods during pregnancy and this includes soft cheeses, soft serve ice-cream as well as unpasteurised dairy foods. These foods may carry the listeria bacteria which can increase the risk of an infection called listeriosis, which may be harmful to the growing foetus.

Pasteurised dairy foods, which include commercial milks and yogurts, are safe during pregnancy as long as you have checked the use-by-date. It’s important to not confuse the “good” probiotic bacteria, known as aBc cultures in Yoghourt, with harmful listeria bacteria. Yogurts like those from, 5AM, Chobani, Jalna Dairy Foods and others are all pasteurised and therefore safe to consume during pregnancy.

Are Dineamic ready meals safe in pregnancy? 

Absolutely! When it comes to food while pregnant or breastfeeding, we recommend eating a variety of nutritious foods. Shop now

Nutritional needs are increased during the breastfeeding phase especially in protein, B vitamins, iodine, and calcium. If you are not obtaining enough of these nutrients from your diet then your body’s stores may become depleted or your milk supply may be affected. It's important to eat regularly to meet your energy needs and drink plenty of water.  

As Dineamic offers ready to eat chilled meals (what the food industry considers 'high risk'), we take extra precautions to ensure the safety and hygiene requirements are adhered to at a high level.

Listeria can cause serious illness for those at higher risk including pregnant women and their unborn child(ren) if present in contaminated food. These are found widely in nature but can be found in raw or cooked foods contaminated by raw food. We advise that you follow the heating instructions on our packaging and heat the food to steaming hot. Do not consume meals that are past their use-by date. 

Once opened, you should eat the meals as soon as you can and do not store them back into the fridge after they have been reheated. 

Let's face it, that's a lot to take in. Who really wants to go through working out what kind of foods to eat, when to eat it, how much to eat of it when you know you can get it delivered to your doorstep all pre-prepared, portioned out and made with nothing but love?  

Dineamic has been crafted according to the Australian Dietary Guidelines to ensure adequate intakes of the food groups are met. Shop ready meals now.

Article written by Karen Inge, and first published on www.kareninge.com.au