When pregnant, certain foods should be avoided to protect both the mother and the developing baby from infections and harmful substances. Key foods to avoid include:
- Unpasteurised dairy products and soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, feta, blue cheese, ricotta, and chèvre unless cooked until steaming hot. These may contain Listeria bacteria, which can cause miscarriage or stillbirth
- Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs , as they can harbor harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Toxoplasma
- Processed and deli meats (e.g., salami, parma ham, chorizo, pepperoni) unless thoroughly cooked to at least 75°C and eaten immediately
- High-mercury fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, bigeye tuna, tilefish, and orange roughy. Mercury can harm the baby's developing nervous system
- Raw or undercooked seafood , including sushi and shellfish, due to risk of bacterial or parasitic infections
- Raw sprouts (mung beans, clover, radish, alfalfa) because they may contain harmful bacteria
- Soft-serve ice cream and unpasteurised milk, which can support bacterial growth
- Alcohol should be completely avoided during pregnancy as it can cause long-term harm to the baby
- Excess caffeine should be limited to about 200 mg per day (roughly two mugs of instant coffee) because high intake can increase miscarriage risk
- Certain herbal supplements and teas should be avoided due to unknown effects on pregnancy
Additional precautions include thoroughly washing fruits, vegetables, and salads to remove soil and bacteria, avoiding pre-cut or unwashed produce, and ensuring leftovers are refrigerated promptly and reheated thoroughly before consumption
. In summary, pregnant women should avoid unpasteurised dairy, raw or undercooked meats and eggs, high-mercury fish, raw seafood, raw sprouts, alcohol, and limit caffeine to maintain safety during pregnancy
