Ice Cream Question

Okay I've heard that when you're Pregnant you can't eat Soft Serve Ice cream...but the other day when I was in my doctors office they had a People's Magazine and I was looking through the pictures and they had like 10 pages of all the "baby boom" that was going on in Hollywood now and like every single Preggo momma was eating a Soft Serve Ice Cream cone. You could definitely tell it was soft serve...and I think even in the caption it was like " Tori Spellingis enjoying some Vanilla Soft Serve" or whatever and I'm like hmm these famous peeps have the best doctors and care ever...is it really okay to eat it? Because I've been DYING for it! I have a Dairy Queen right down the road and my mouth waters every time I pass it!!...So whats the deal??

[sfritz]

From what I have heard it is because the possibility of Listeria. I had some the other day though. I too have a DQ right down the street and sometimes the urge is just too much!

[Gina209]

Yea I've read a lot about Listeria and even asked my Doctor about it. And she said just about anything you have in your fridge can get it...but if we ate around that, all us Preggo ladies would be stick thin! So she just said be careful..like make sure all leftovers are in air tight containers and everything is all wrapped up and not beyond the expiration date..which um to me is common sense anyways! So if Listeria is the only reason...I'm getting some DQ tonight!!!

[JoyRenee]

So do they say that because the machines that the ice cream come out of may not be sanitary? Or because there is actually something in the dairy?

I think you'll be safe! How often have you gone to DQ when you weren't pregnant and didn't end up sick? I used to eat deli meat when pregnant before I found out you could get sick from it. I also ate Brie with my first pregnancy (a big no-no). I think everyone must use their own discretion and judgement. If you find your DQ to be clean, or if you speak with the manager and ask how often they clean the equipment, you should be good!

[Gina209]

I think it could be both because my doctor said pretty much anything kept in the fridge can get it..but I know sanitary containers have a lot to do with it too. BUT even with regular ice cream there's risk! Back in the day I worked in a Ice Cream shop and what we did was transfer the ice cream in the old container in the new one..so anything that was on the old one would now be in the new one! Not really sanitary when you think about it..but lots of ice cream places do it to not waste any food. So when you think of it regular ice cream would be bad too! So I think you're right..just moderation is the key and making sure things are super sanitary! Thanks!

[diva_lorri]

Soft Serve is one of the largiest potential carriers of Listeria and ive been told is a definate no-no... Apparently you can eat anything even high risk foods as long as you eat it immediately and it is steaming hot to kill any listeria. Dont think the soft serve would be too good steaming hot though lol...

:-) i think its up to each individuals discretion but personally I wouldnt touch the soft serve because thats one thing thats been constantly reiterated as a 'bad food' to me.

best of luck though and congrats...