
What foods and drinks should I avoid in pregnancy?
Have a look at the list of foods and drinks below – consider the ones that you think you should avoid while you’re pregnant.
Clue: there’s 7 to avoid.
Soft mould-ripened cheeses Tinned fruit Pâté Mozzarella
Liver Bread Raw or runny eggs Peanuts
Hard boiled eggs Tofu Alcohol Baked beans
Fresh fruit and vegetables Unpasteurised milk Pasta
Nuts Rice Roast chicken Cooked shellfish
Raw or undercooked meat Cheddar cheese Cous-cous
Write down your ideas below before checking the answers!
Soft mould-ripened cheese
Soft mould-ripened cheese such as brie, camembert, soft goat’s cheese and blue-veined cheeses can have an increased risk of listeriosis. However, NHS guidance suggests they are safe to eat if they have been cooked until steaming hot.
Raw or undercooked or cured meat
There is an increased risk of salmonella and toxoplasmosis (a bacteria that can cause miscarriage) from eating raw or undercooked meat. It is important to cook meat thoroughly before eating so there is no trace of pink meat or blood just in case.
Pâté
All types of pâté have an increased risk of listeriosis and usually contain high levels of vitamin A, which can increase the risk of miscarriage or fetal abnormalities. This includes vegetarian pâté.
Liver and liver products
Liver contains high levels of Vitamin A and is linked to increased risk of miscarriage and fetal abnormalities.
Raw or runny eggs
British Lion eggs (eggs with a lion stamp on them) are the only eggs safe to eat raw and partially cooked. Eggs that are not British Lion eggs carry the risk of salmonella.
Alcohol
There is no safe level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause long term harm to your baby. This includes wine, beer, cider and spirits.
Unpasteurised milk
Milk and milk products that have not been pasteurised have an increased risk of listeriosis and toxoplasmosis which can lead to miscarriage and fetal abnormalities.
For more information on which food to avoid during pregnancy and why, visit this NHS website