During pregnancy, certain foods should be avoided or consumed with caution to protect both the mother and the developing baby. Key foods to avoid include:
- Unpasteurised dairy products and certain soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, blue cheeses (e.g., Danish blue, gorgonzola, roquefort), and soft ripened goat cheeses, unless cooked until steaming hot. These may contain Listeria bacteria, which can cause listeriosis, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in the newborn
- Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs , including foods containing raw eggs like homemade mayonnaise, aioli, mousses, or raw cake batter. These can harbor harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Toxoplasma, which pose risks during pregnancy
- Certain fish high in mercury , including shark, swordfish, marlin, king mackerel, bigeye tuna, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, and orange roughy. High mercury levels can harm the baby's developing nervous system
- Raw fish and shellfish , including sushi and smoked fish, due to the risk of bacterial or parasitic infections like Listeria, Vibrio, Salmonella, and norovirus
- Cold cured or processed meats such as salami, parma ham, chorizo, and pepperoni, unless thoroughly cooked to at least 75°C and eaten immediately
- Liver and liver products (including liver sausage, pâté, and haggis) should be limited because they contain high levels of vitamin A, which can be harmful in excess during pregnancy
- Alcohol should be completely avoided during pregnancy, as it can cause long-term harm to the baby
- Excessive caffeine intake should be limited to about 200 mg per day (roughly two mugs of instant coffee) to reduce risks such as miscarriage or low birth weight
- Certain herbal supplements and teas (other than ginger, peppermint, chamomile, and fruit teas) should be avoided due to unknown effects on pregnancy
Additionally, thorough washing of fruits, vegetables, and salads is important to avoid exposure to soil-borne parasites and bacteria
. In summary, pregnant women should avoid unpasteurised dairy, soft cheeses (unless cooked), raw or undercooked meat, eggs, and fish, high-mercury fish, alcohol, and limit caffeine intake to ensure safety for themselves and their babies
