Originating from Japan, Mochi ice cream is a delicious treat that comprises of small balls of ice-milk wrapped in a tasty and chewy rice cake called mochi.
Generally, it is safe for pregnant women to eat mochi ice cream but just like any other food or treat, it’s important to exercise a bit caution.
Here are some tips to consider when you need to safely take these ice creams:
- The safety of this treat basically relies on the quality and ingredients used in the preparation. Always ensure that the icecream used is pasteurized as unpasteurized dairy products can carry a risk of harmful bacteria like Listeria, which is risky in pregnancy.
- Some people may have allergies to certain ingredients like dairy or gluten found in some flavors of this ice cream. Thence, the need to be cautious.
- While it can be a delightful treat, it’s still a dessert that comes with the added sugars, calories and carbs so it’s important to watch your intake. Do not binge on it.
- If you’re managing some complications in pregnancy like gestational diabetes which requires that you completely stay off sugar, make sure to customize your mochi icecream to take away the sugar so it aligns with your dietary requirements.
- Always keep this iced cream frozen and not allowed to melt and refreeze because this can increase the risk of bacterial growth.
- The chocolate flavors of this sorbet contain caffeine which is found in coffee. Pregnant women have up to 200 mg of caffeine to take in a day. this amount takes into account caffeine from all other sources including tea, coffee and other caffeinated foods so they should be careful so they do not exceed.
In general you should only enjoy this as an occasional treat while pregnant. Eating it everyday isn’t the best thing to do.
What is mochi ice cream made of?
This ice cream typically consists of a combination of coffee flavor and chocolate. The exact ingredients can vary depending on the brand or recipe, but here are the usual components you’ll find in it:
- Dairy base such as milk and cream. Some variations may use non-dairy alternatives like almond milk, soy milk or coconut milk to create a vegan or lactose-free option.
- Coffee flavor from brewed coffee or instant coffee granules. This gives it a rich coffee taste that blends with chocolate.
- Chocolate is a key ingredient. Cocoa powder or melted chocolate is usually added to give it a chocolatey flavor and its dark brown color.
- Sugars or sweeteners are also added to sweeten the base and balance the bitterness of the coffee.
- Eggs are optional. Some recipes may include egg yolks to create a custard-like texture. This is common in regular homemade ice cream recipes.
- Stabilizers and emulsifiers are used in commercially produced mochi ice cream to improve the texture and shelf life. These can include ingredients like guar, xanthan gum or soy lecithin.
- Additional flavorings or add-ins like vanilla extract are also added sometimes to enhance the overall taste.
What kind of ice cream can I eat while pregnant?
While there isn’t an official list of pregnancy-safe ice creams, you can make informed choices by always choosing iced creams from pasteurized milk and pasteurized egg products.
This isn’t all, you should also ensure your icecream comes with fewer additives and barely no caffeine and sugar.
These lists have been checked for these factors and are generally considered safe by the American Pregnancy Association.
- Nightfood Nighttime Ice Cream
- Store-Bought ones
- Gelato
- Ben & Jerry’s
- Haagen-Dazs
- Breyers
- Talenti
- Yoghurt Parfaits
If you can, make your ice cream at home as you can easily customize to fit your health needs. Remember to enjoy in smaller quantities as part of a balanced diet during pregnancy.
What ice cream to avoid when pregnant?
These types of have some additives and a high risk of bacterial contamination and so should be disregarded to ensure maximum safety of both you and the baby;
- Soft-served ice cream
- Homemade ones with raw eggs
- Raw cookie dough or batter
- Unpasteurized ones
- High-caffeine flavors
- Ones with excess sugar
- Alcohol infused ones
- Ice creams that has melted and refrozen multiple times
Conclusion
Enjoying mochi ice cream while pregnant can be safe if you make informed choices.
It’s essential to opt for mochi icecream from reputable sources that use pasteurized ingredients, do not contain raw eggs, and adhere to stringent hygiene standards. As with any treat during pregnancy, moderation is key.
By following these guidelines and consulting with your healthcare provider if you have specific concerns, you can savor mochi ice cream as an occasional indulgence while ensuring the health and safety of both you and your baby throughout your pregnancy journey.
References:
Mashed (Is Mochi Dangerous?), Madeformums (Is Ice Cream Safe To Eat In Pregnancy?) & American Pregnancy Association (Pregnancy and Ice Cream)
