Foods to avoid in Italy

[EssexGirlLottie]

I'm going on holiday on Friday to Italy and I've suddenly had a thought about food.

I've been pretty "relaxed" so far throughout my pregnancy, I generally go with what the NHS website says.

Specifically for Italy, can I have Parmesan, ricotta, prosciutto, gelato? Anything else I've not thought about? Aaaargh!

[icklekid]

No real knowledge but a quick google did find this website if it helps www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187768-i20-k3887099-Pregnant_eating_in_Italy-Italy.html

Italian ice cream is the most amazing so I would be gutted if couldn't have any! Heres a previous mums net post on it
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_advice_tips/a1555323-Gelato-in-Italy

[miraculous2]

Real gelato is made with raw eggs so it's a no-no along with homemade mayo.

I don't eat meat but I did read that cured meats like prosciutto, salami can be an issue.

Parmesan and ricotta are both fine. Avoid taleggio and any other cheese with white rind. Avoid dolce latte, Gorgonzola - blue.
Buffalo mozzarella is also fine - enjoy (I'm drooling).

They like their meaty fish - go easy on the tuna steaks, completely avoid shark, marlin (you know the Nhs list ones anyway).

There's not much to dodge in Italy - I'm sure you won't be sampling the fried entrails from any street vendors. Enjoy, enjoy - I am so envious!

Slightly nervous about navigating the buffets and restaurants of Japan in a few weeks...

[ViviPru]

I'm 6+2 and going to a vineyard region in the South of France on Monday. Had been looking forward to some runny cheese tasting too. Bah!

[FoxtrotOscarBackToEconomy]

ViviPru - be aware that lots of cheeses in France are made from unpasteurised milk, even some mass manufactured hard cheeses. I live in France and have basically avoided all cheese during pregnancy other than imported British cheese.

The recommendations for foods to avoid are much more restrictive here than the NHS recommendations.

Have a lovely time in France!@

[squizita]

NHS are happy with cured meats, but obviously use common sense with hygiene: take a close look at the restaurant/shop. If you buy them yourself and want to be cautious, freeze them overnight (if self catering) then defrost and eat. Cleanliness is the major factor! I would just be careful where I purchased from if I were you.

Gelato does have raw egg so either don't try or check (some commercial brands may well have pre-pasteurised egg in).

Remember women in Italy have babies all the time, the major no-nos are liver etc', but with food poisoning risks, actually hygiene is key.

[squizita]

Foxtrot did you know hard cheese doesn't have to be pasteurised at all? If it's hard not rind matured. :)

[eurochick]

I'm off to my IL's place in France for a last hurrah at 27 weeks. Our trips there usually revolve around food and drink, so it is going to be strange without stinky cheese, bloody meat and far too much wine! I'm hoping the sun will make up for it.

essex I'd say you would be ok with parmesan as it's a hard cheese, but the guidance would probably be to avoid the other things on your list. Whether you follow it or not is up to you.

fox do you have a link to the French guidelines? I'd be interested to see how they compare. (In French is fine - I used to live there and my French should still be good enough!)

[Iwantvino]

I live in Italy and have just had a baby. The doctors here advise against cured meat and blue cheese etc. they also told me only to have cooked vegetables when eating out as you can't be sure about whether the salad was washed. Oh and to peel all fruit.

I did eat gelato as I thought it was made with a custard. I might be wrong though.

Oops and it looks like I messed up by eating taleggio!

Enjoy

[FoxtrotOscarBackToEconomy]

The French guidelines can be found here

Squizita, yes I know hard cheeses are OK but they aren't the French cheeses that I particularly like!