Many pregnant women love frozen treats, and they are especially popular on hot days. If you’re pregnant, you might be wondering if there is an alternative to ice cream that is safe to consume. This article will cover two of the most popular frozen desserts – frozen custard and frozen yoghurt.
Can I eat Frozen Yogurt or Frozen Custard if I’m pregnant? Commercially made frozen yoghurt and frozen custard can be consumed during pregnancy, as they are often made using pasteurized ingredients. Soft-serve may not be suitable for pregnant women.
Both frozen yoghurt and custard share the same caveats that you should look out for when you’re pregnant. I also check popular brands and shops to see if the ingredients have been pasteurized, and if they are safe for pregnant women.
Frozen Yoghurts and Custards that are Safe for Pregnancy
Store-bought products are those that have been commercially manufactured by a supermarket, grocery store or another retailer. This does not include products sold from machines or in a shop.
The commercially produced frozen yoghurt and custard that you purchase to take home usually contain pasteurized ingredients, including the dairy in yoghurt and the egg in custard. It is therefore safe to eat for pregnant women. I checked several major brands including:
- Bulla Custard or Frozen Yogurt– Bulla, a well-known Australian brand, pasteurizes their entire dairy as required by Australian law. All of their products, including the frozen yoghurts and custards in their range, are safe to eat for pregnant women.
- Ben & Jerry’s – Ben & Jerry’s frozen yoghurt is available in many countries including the USA and UK. Their frozen yoghurt, the kind sold to consumers in shops and taken home is safe for pregnant women because they only use pasteurized milk.
- Yasso frozen yoghurt– Yasso’s frozen yoghurt is found in many supermarkets’ freezer sections. Their products are also safe to consume by pregnant women because they use pasteurized milk.
- Edy’s/Dreyer’s – The same brand is known under two different names, depending on the state you live in. Regardless of the name on the label, all frozen yoghurts are made with pasteurized milk and therefore safe for pregnant women.
- Kemp’s – Like other commercial frozen yoghurt brands, this range is made with pasteurized cream and milk. It’s safe to consume if you are pregnant.
- Other brands– Check the label or contact the manufacturer. In the USA, the milk and cream used in frozen yoghurt are likely pasteurized. You should also check the egg to ensure that they are pasteurized.
Soft-Serve frozen yoghurt or frozen custard may not always be safe during pregnancy
If you visit a shop that sells cones or tubs containing ‘freshly made’ frozen yoghurt, frozen custard or other frozen desserts to be eaten immediately, the product is usually dispensed from a machine. Soft-serve machines keep the ingredients pre-mixed at a low temperature just above freezing.
The common misconception is that pregnant women should only focus on the ingredients of frozen yoghurt and custard, such as milk, cream, or eggs. They must, however, check that these products are pasteurized.
Most commercial pre-mixes are liquid or powder and contain pasteurized milk ingredients. They may also be ultra-heated-treated before being added to the machine.
I checked with a few well-known chains, including (Andy’s Frozen Custard and Culver’s Frozen Custard and Sweetfrog’s, Pinkberry’s and Yogurtland), who confirmed that all of their ingredients are pasteurized, making them safe to consume by pregnant women.
Usually, the problem is not the machine but the ingredients.
Listeria is a bacteria which can be harmful during pregnancy. It thrives in cool, moist, and dark places. Soft-serve machines are ideal for Listeria growth, but only when they’re not cleaned properly.
The decision is up to the pregnant woman, as the likelihood of consuming contaminated custard or frozen yoghurt increases if the retailer does not clean and sterilize their machines properly.
The above-mentioned frozen yoghurt and custard shops are often large chains or franchises. They will therefore have strict guidelines on how employees should clean and sterilize the machines. However, this is dependent on whether the local outlet follows through.
As with other aspects of pregnancy food checks, it is best to use common sense. You shouldn’t eat custard or frozen yoghurt from a place that looks dirty or has poor sanitation.
Online, you can find many food hygiene ratings and restaurant inspections from your local or State health department.
You can also check the website Yelp for restaurant inspection ratings.
This is not the case in all states. Food Hygiene ratings are available in the UK from the Food Standards Agency. You can check these to see if there have been any violations related to cleanliness at the restaurant you are eating in.
To eliminate all Listeria risks, it is best to buy soft-serve frozen custard or yoghurt from a commercially manufactured tub, rather than from a shop. Listeriosis outbreaks due to ‘dirty machines’ are rare but do occur.
You shouldn’t add pre-cut Fruit. This is because pre-prepared fruits may not have been washed thoroughly.
What is better for pregnant women: Frozen yoghurt or custard?
Ice cream should only be consumed in moderation during pregnancy. Frozen Custard contains almost the same ingredients as ice cream – it is ice cream that has an extra egg yolk. It’s not much healthier than ice cream, other than having a slightly higher protein.
Many people believe that frozen yoghurt offers a healthier alternative to ice cream.
Although it is usually lower in fat, it contains the same amount of sugar.
The same toppings are often available on frozen yoghurt as they are for ice cream. If you add sauces, sprinkles, and other toppings to frozen yoghurt it won’t make it healthier.
Yogurt that is not frozen can still contain Probiotic bacteria, which are good for the digestive system and gut. There is no proof that frozen yogurt can offer the same benefits as it usually kills the beneficial “live” cultures.
frozen yogurt and custard should also be consumed in moderation during pregnancy. The frozen custard and frozen yogurt are a cool treat for a hot summer day. However, the fat and sugar in these products outweigh the extra calcium and proteins they provide.
Consult your doctor before you eat frozen custard or yogurt if you have diabetes.