There are some foods you shouldn't eat during pregnancy because they could:
Cheese
Don’t eat:
- mould-ripened soft cheeses, such as brie, camembert and others with a similar rind such as chèvre (a type of goats’ cheese)
- soft blue-veined cheeses, such as Danish blue, gorgonzola and roquefort
Cheeses like this are made with mould and can contain listeria bacteria that cause listeriosis. Even a mild form of this infection in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or severe illness in a newborn baby.
See also:
Eggs
Don’t eat raw or undercooked eggs and avoid foods that contain them, such as homemade mayonnaise.
Make sure that eggs are thoroughly cooked until the whites and yolks are solid. This prevents the risk of salmonella food poisoning.
Milk
Don’t drink raw (unpasteurised) milk, including unpasteurised goats’ or sheep’s milk. Don’t eat food that is made out of them, such as soft goats’ cheese.
If only raw or green-top milk is available, boil it first.
Pâté
Avoid all types of pâté, including vegetable pâtés, as they can contain listeria.
Meat
Don’t eat raw or undercooked meat.
Cook all meat and poultry thoroughly so there’s no trace of pink or blood. Take particular care with sausages and minced meat.
Some countries advise pregnant women not to eat cold meats or smoked fish because of the risk that the food may contain listeria bacteria. In the UK, pregnant women are not advised to avoid these foods because the risk of infection is so low. However, if you’re concerned, you may choose to avoid them.
Liver
Don’t eat liver or liver products, such as liver pâté or liver sausage, as they may contain a lot of vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can harm your baby.
Vitamin A
Don’t take:
- high-dose multivitamin supplements
- fish liver oil supplements
- any supplements containing vitamin A
Fish
There are some types of fish you should limit, such as tuna and oily fish, and some types of fish you should avoid completely, such as shark. Also, don’t eat raw shellfish, as it can cause food poisoning.
Alcohol
You should avoid drinking alcohol if you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Too much exposure to alcohol can seriously affect your baby's development.
Caffeine
You should limit caffeine during pregnancy - don’t have more than 200mg of caffeine a day. High levels of caffeine can cause babies to have a low birth weight. Too much caffeine can also cause a miscarriage. Caffeine is found naturally in some foods and is added to some soft drinks.
Reducing the risk of toxoplasmosis
Wash fruit, vegetables and salads to remove all traces of soil, which may contain toxoplasma, a parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis. For more information, see:
Read the answers to more questions about pregnancy.
Further information:
