Enjoying Philadelphia Cream Cheese with Smoked Salmon Safely During Pregnancy

Pregnancy cravings and aversions can be strong, leaving expectant moms wondering what’s safe to eat A popular combination many love is smoked salmon paired with creamy Philadelphia cream cheese But is this tangy duo actually safe to enjoy while pregnant? Let’s dive in to find out.

An Iconic and Nutritious Flavor Pairing

There’s just something irresistible about the velvety texture of Philadelphia cream cheese complemented by the rich smoky flavor of salmon. Spread generously on a fresh bagel or cracker it makes for a satisfying snack or light lunch.

This combination provides a good hit of protein and healthy fats to help support you and baby. Smoked salmon is packed with nutrients like vitamin D, selenium, vitamin B12, omega-3s and protein. Cream cheese offers protein, calcium, vitamin A and some probiotics. Together, they make for a nutritious and delicious bite!

Understanding the Risks of Smoked Salmon

Smoked salmon does come with some cautions during pregnancy, however. As a fish, it carries a potential risk for parasitic, viral and bacterial infections if not handled properly. The main concerns with smoked salmon are listeria and parasites.

Listeria is a bacteria that can cause flu-like symptoms in pregnant women. While it may not make mom-to-be very ill, listeria can have severe consequences for the unborn baby like premature birth, miscarriage or stillbirth.

Raw fish can also potentially contain parasites like tapeworms. When transmitted to humans, tapeworms can cause abdominal discomfort, weight loss, diarrhea and vitamin deficiencies.

So while smoked salmon has many nutritional benefits, it’s critical to take proper precautions when consuming it while pregnant.

Choosing Fully Cooked, Shelf-Stable Products

To avoid the risks of listeria and parasites, pregnant women should only consume smoked salmon that has been fully cooked or is shelf-stable.

When choosing smoked salmon:

• Opt for hot-smoked varieties that have been cooked to an internal temperature of 74°C/165°F. This level of heat kills any listeria bacteria.

• Check for “pasteurized” on labels to confirm dangerous pathogens have been destroyed by heat treatment.

• Look for canned or shelf-stable packaged smoked salmon that doesn’t require refrigeration. The canning process eliminates risks.

• Avoid cold-smoked or nova/lox salmon, as these are not cooked to a safe temperature.

As long as you pick a safely prepared, ready-to-eat smoked salmon, it should pose minimal risks during pregnancy. Check labels carefully and contact manufacturers if in doubt.

Philadelphia Cream Cheese is Pasteurized and Pregnancy-Safe

Now that we’ve covered smoked salmon safety, what about the cream cheese? The good news is that all varieties of Philadelphia cream cheese are perfectly safe to enjoy during pregnancy!

According to the company’s website, Philadelphia cream cheese sold in the United States is made from pasteurized milk. This means it has been briefly heated to at least 71°C/160°F to destroy any potentially harmful bacteria like listeria.

The pasteurization process ensures Philadelphia products are safe for pregnant women to enjoy without additional cooking required.

Any of the popular flavored Philadelphia creams are pregnancy-safe choices:

• Original
• Light
• Whipped
• Garden Vegetable
• Onion & Chive
• Salmon
• Garlic & Herbs

So you can feel confident topping your safely prepared smoked salmon with any of your favorite Philadelphia cream cheese varieties while pregnant.

Some Handy Tips for Safe Preparation

While commercially prepared smoked salmon and pasteurized cream cheese are perfectly safe, you can take extra precautions through smart handling and prep:

• Wash hands and surfaces before and after working with the salmon/cheese.

• Use separate cutting boards and utensils for the smoked salmon vs other foods.

• Avoid cross-contamination by keeping smoked salmon away from other ingredients like fresh veggies.

• Refrigerate prepared snacks within 2 hours and consume within 3-4 days.

• Heat smoked salmon to 74 ̊C/165 ̊F if concerned or if it was previously frozen.

Following basic food prep best practices helps minimize any foodborne illness risks, even though the ingredients themselves are safe.

Creative and Crave-Worthy Recipe Ideas

Now that you know it’s safe to satisfy those pregnancy cravings for smoked salmon with Philadelphia cream cheese, here are some tasty recipe ideas to try:

• Bagel or English Muffin – Top with slices of smoked salmon and cream cheese for an easy breakfast or snack.

• Smoked Salmon Bites – Serve salmon and cheese cubes on crackers or mini toasts for an elegant appetizer.

• Smoked Salmon Salad – Flake salmon into a bowl with cream cheese, lemon juice, capers, and dill.

• Pinwheel Sandwiches – Spread cream cheese on tortillas, top with salmon, roll up and slice into pinwheels.

• Philadelphia Roll Sushi – Substitute cream cheese for rice in sushi rolls with smoked salmon.

• Salmon Lasagna – Layer lasagna noodles with salmon, ricotta-Philadelphia mixture, spinach and cheese sauce.

• Salmon Quiche – Make a quiche with a Philadelphia-cream based custard, smoked salmon, herbs, and vegetables.

The possibilities are endless for savoring this nutritious and delicious flavor pairing during your pregnancy. Satisfy those cravings safely and creatively!

The Takeaway: Enjoy This Duo in Pregnancy With Confidence

Craving your favorite smoked salmon bagel but wondering if it’s pregnancy-safe? The key is choosing properly prepared salmon and pairing it with pasteurized cream cheese.

As long as you:

• Select shelf-stable or fully cooked hot-smoked salmon
• Use any pasteurized Philadelphia brand cream cheese
• Follow basic food prep safety practices

You can comfortably enjoy this tangy, savory combo to satisfy those pregnancy cravings and get in some nutritious protein and healthy fats for you and baby!