Is Paneer Safe To Eat During Pregnancy?

Paneer is the most common type of cheese used in traditional Indian dishes and is very popular. It can be eaten in a number of ways and often finds a major dedication in most Indian restaurants.

Nutritional Value of Paneer

Paneer is one of the nutritious, low-calorie, and low-lactose dairy products.

• Paneer has a lot of protein. It contains all nine necessary amino acids.
• Paneer, as a milk product, is high in calcium and phosphorus.
• It also has a considerable quantity of alpha-linoleic acid, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fat that is good for your heart.
• Carbohydrates in paneer are significantly lower than in dal.
• Paneer is devoid of gluten.
• It includes all of the vitamins found in milk, including fat-soluble and B-complex vitamins. It contains a lot of riboflavin and vitamin A.

Is Paneer Safe to Eat During Pregnancy?

Paneer is generally safe for eating during your pregnancy period. Rest assured, you will not develop any kind of complications during this crucial period by eating Paneer, though your best bet would be to ask your doctor once.

Since it is a milk product, caution needs to be exercised by women who are lactose intolerant.  Being rich in calcium, Paneer is something ideal that can be included in your diet during pregnancy.

A pregnant woman requires at least 1000 mg calcium to be included in her daily diet, and paneer contains this ideal amount which makes it a perfect addition to your diet.

[Read : Drinking Milk During Pregnancy]

Top 6 Benefits of Eating Paneer During Pregnancy

Paneer is highly nutritious. Many of the nutrients in paneer are highly beneficial for the healthy progression of pregnancy.

Here are some benefits of eating paneer while you are pregnant.

1. Excellent Source of Calcium

Calcium is something that is an absolute must during your pregnancy; not only to build bone strength for your and the unborn baby, but also for the proper functioning of circulatory and nervous systems.

2. Helps to Ward Off Early Pregnancy Issues

Paneer provides you with the much-required energy and stamina to fight the early symptoms of pregnancy like nausea, morning sickness, fatigue, and anemia.

3. Lowers the Risk of Any Kind of Birth Defects

Paneer, which is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, averts the danger of preterm delivery defects in carrying women.

4. Paneer is Rich in Vitamin B

Another good news about this protein-rich food is that it is packed with vitamins of the B group which is ideal for absorption and even distribution of calcium throughout the entire system.

5. Supplies Vital Minerals

Rich in both phosphorus and calcium, Paneer plays an important role in helping both the baby and the mom to be healthy.

6. Improves the Absorption of Calcium

Eating paneer is ideal to assist women during lactation and pregnancy by ensuring the proper absorption and even distribution of calcium to your entire system.

Precautions When You Eat Paneer During Pregnancy

Even though paneer has a lot of advantages during pregnancy, given below are some checkpoints you need to look into before consuming it:

• You need to make sure that the paneer you plan to consume is manufactured from milk that has been pasteurized.
• If you happen to love paneer, you may want to eat it raw. Never do this as uncooked paneer, even though prepared from pasteurized milk, may contain bacteria that can cause harm.
• Remember to check the labels before buying to ensure it is fresh and made from top-quality ingredients.
• Never store paneer in your fridge for more than a week. It is best to eat it as soon as you buy it.
• Take care to ensure the paneer you buy is not cracked, discolored, or dried.
• It would be a good idea to check with your doctor and make sure paneer is safe for you.

You can also make paneer at home, which makes it perfectly safe for you to consume during this period.

How to Make Paneer Easily at Home?

Just add around one to two teaspoons of vinegar or lime to milk that has been freshly boiled and let it curdle. Adding a spoonful or two of curd will also do. Patiently wait till this mixture coagulates.

Rinse the paneer well and make it into balls or an even bar according to your necessity. Now wrap the paneer in a muslin cloth and leave aside for some time to strain it till all the water dries.

Your homemade and fresh paneer is ready to eat.

Side Effects of Eating too Much Paneer During Pregnancy

Irrespective of all its benefits, paneer has some side effects. Here are a few side effects of overeating paneer:

• Overindulgence of paneer can trigger food poisoning or even digestive issues. So you need to ensure it is consumed in moderation.
• Since paneer contains a higher amount of sodium as compared to potassium, it can be quite harmful if consumption exceeds the limit.
• It can also cause weight gain if consumed more than in moderate quantities.

Is it Safe to Eat Uncooked Paneer During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, it is not advisable to consume uncooked or raw paneer. This is due to the fact that raw paneer is prone to contamination, and ingesting this may result in health issues. To avoid any health problems, avoid consuming raw paneer throughout the pregnancy.

Ideally, around 50 grams of paneer a day is just perfect for a healthy person to consume on a daily basis. So you need to ensure you do not overindulge in this lovely protein-packed food, however much you crave for it during your pregnancy period. This is beyond doubt an ideal food during pregnancy.

[Read : Craving For Cheese During Pregnancy]

FAQ’s

1. Which is Better During Pregnancy – Home Made Paneer or Store Bought Paneer?

Homemade paneer is always healthier as you know what is used to make the paneer. The milk used will be of good quality. You will also reduce the risk of eating an expired or infected product.

2. Can I Eat Paneer Daily, When am Regnant?

Yes you can. However, ensure you do not over eat. Moderation is key and eat not more than a few pieces a day.

3. Can Eating Paneer During Pregnancy Improve My Baby’s Skin?

There is no research to back this up. Paneer is generally good for skin and hair. Eating paneer while pregnant can pass on the benefits to the baby in the womb.

4. Can Eating Paneer Make Me Gain Weight?

Yes it can. Though paneer is rich in protein and very low in calories, it can add weight. Especially, when you are pregnant and less active than usual.

5. How Much Paneer Can a Pregnant Woman Eat?

This completely depends on your milk and protein intake. If you are having too much of dairy products, you need to limit your paneer intake. Eat a few pieces a day if you must.

Read Also: Is It Safe To Eat Tofu During Pregnancy?