“Is Beer Cheese Soup Safe During Pregnancy?” Clear the dilemma about beer cheese soup and pregnancy in this article.
Beer soup traces its origins to medieval Europe, where it was a popular dish for breakfast. It consisted of beer boiled and thickened with egg yolks, cream, and stale bread. Over the years, spices, onion, and cheese were added to the original recipe, and Beer cheese soup was invented. The origin is most likely in Germany.
The modern version of beer cheese soup is made of butter, flour, chicken stock, larger beer, and sharp cheddar cheese. The butter and flour are cooked together to form a roux which is used to thicken the soup.
Nutritional Profile
A bowl (360g) of beer cheese soup provides:
- Calories 469
- Fat 29g (saturated fat 18g)
- Cholesterol 75mg
- Sodium 1714mg
- Carbohydrates 26g
- Protein 22g
- Sugar 2g
Is Beer Cheese Soup Safe During Pregnancy?
Beer is lower in alcohol than wine or spirits, but it is always safer to avoid foods with alcohol during pregnancy. The Alcohol that you add to a dish after it is cooked will remain in it while being served. However, when alcohol is added right at the beginning to foods being cooked, some of the alcohol evaporates out of the food.
The type of cooking and the duration of cooking determine how much alcohol is still left in the food. Beer cheese soup usually contains very little beer, and most of its alcohol content evaporates during cooking. Having a small quantity of beer cheese soup just one or two times after the first three months should be safe to a large extent when you are pregnant.
Why Avoid Alcohol During Pregnancy
Alcohol consumption in the first three months of pregnancy can cause facial abnormalities in the developing fetus. Alcohol can have the following impacts during pregnancy:
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth, or premature birth
- Inhibit growth
- Causes congenital disabilities
- Affects the central nervous system
- Causes fetal alcohol syndrome
- Low birth weight in the developing baby.
It is advisable to go for foods that have substitutes for alcohol added to them like tomato juice, apple juice, balsamic or apple cider vinegar, and vegetable or meat stocks which lend flavor and acidity to the dish.
Other Alternatives
If you crave beer cheese soup while pregnant, make a non-alcoholic version by substituting the beer in the recipe with good quality chicken or vegetable broth. Other alternatives include ginger ale, white grape juice, beef broth, mushroom stock, apple juice, and apple cider. You can substitute alcohol in drinks with fresh fruit juices or smoothies.
Non-alcoholic versions of the most popular alcoholic beverages are available, and it is essential to read the labels and then consume them. It is better to avoid socializing with alcohol drinkers if you are pregnant. Instead, find ways to relax with Music, books, massage, or warm baths.
Exercising restraint in drinking alcohol or eating foods cooked with alcohol during those crucial nine months of your pregnancy is essential to ensure a healthy baby.
