Is it ok to take milk and cheese during tww sisters.
Avoid soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined, and Mexican-style cheese (like those for nachos). These cheeses are often unpasteurized and may cause Listeria infection. Most advice indicate that there’s no need to avoid hard cheese. When not sure, I just avoid it altogether lor.
As for milk, this is more controversial. Unpasteurised and low fat milk is definite no-no. We do see those fortified milk powders specially for pregnant mums right? Yet there are also reasons why consumption of milk or dairy products should be limited. 2 views -
1)
Western view - Bodily fluids needs proper balance between acidity and alkalinity for optimal function. Most healthy body fluids such oxygen-rich blood is slightly alkaline (7.37-7.45 pH). Body organs, e.g. kidney has a limit on excess elimination daily so over-consumption of acid-forming foods causes acid-buildup which disrupts normal cell functioning. Cow's milk is itself alkaline, but the process of metabolising it in the body causes it to be slightly acid forming in the body.
In ivf, our bodies already have the burden of processing hormone medications which is otherwise not so for a women relying on natural conception so I would think ivf-ers would be more vulnerable to impact of acidity overload.
2)
TCM view - Inability to digest dairy products or over-comsumption of diary foods contributes to phlegm-damp constitution which creates an internal environment of congested, stagnant fluids (excess mucus). "In terms of fertility we are concerned mostly with congested or stagnant fluids blocking the cervix (pathological vaginal discharges or inflammation) or the tubes (mucus and inflammation), or
affecting the ovaries (cysts) or the uterine lining (excess secretions). Damp in men can contribute to impotence, prostatitis, discharges from the penis or thick congealed semen – all of which have an affect on sperm." I believe that's the basis for the 'slippery womb' effect.
Good read on TCM view of food function and fertility -
http://www.maryzhang.com/food_function.htm
Because we already invest or sacrifice so much TTC via ivf, and there are definitely ways to achieve similar nutrition other than drinking milk, I would just avoid milk during this period as the risk of subjecting our bodies to imbalance is more costly for ivf-ers.
Hope this helps. Hope you feeling better le and jia you in your 2ww ya!