Foods to Avoid

Now you’re a mum – I know it does take some getting used to, you may need to make a few small adjustments to your diet / lifestyle, thankfully this list isn’t huge and does vary per country but we will be focusing on the NHS list in the UK. The obvious are smoking and drinking, and it is recommended that you do neither while pregnant.

If you are struggling with either of these then do ask for help as it is available – speak to your midwife or GP. Foodwise, the main things to avoid are where there is a risk of the bacteria listeriosis or toxoplasmosis (don’t worry you don’t need to remember these just thought we would give you a bit of the background here).

Both of these are bacterial infections, the bacteria is sometimes found in uncooked food and usually doesn’t cause any harm to us, however if immunity is low or pregnant then this can cause harm to either you or your baby.

We will run through the list below but as a general rule of thumb, just make sure everything you eat is well cooked and you should be fine. Foods to Avoid: Dairy Mould-ripened soft cheese with white coating on the outside e.g. brie, camembert and chevre (unless cooked until steaming hot). Soft blue cheese like Danish blue, gorgonzola and Roquefort (unless cooked until steaming hot). Unpasteurised milk including cows’, goats’ and sheep’s or any food containing unpasteurised milk Meat Raw or uncooked meat including cold cured meats, unless cooked thoroughly Liver and liver products All pâté including vegetarian Game meats like goose, partridge and pheasant as may contain lead shots Eggs Raw or partially cooked eggs unless they have a lion stamp Duck, goose or quail eggs, unless thoroughly cooked Fish Try to limit yourself to 2 portions of oily fish a week like salmon, trout, mackerel or herring No more than 2 tuna steaks or 4 tins of tuna per week Avoid swordfish, marlin, shark and raw shellfish Other food / drink Limit your caffeine intake to no more than 200mg per day – a mug of instant coffee is 100mg – don’t forget to include coke, energy drinks and chocolate in this Herbal tea should be limited to 4 a day Avoid liquorice root, liquorice is fine Make sure you wash your fruit, veg and salad to remove any soil Avoid Vitamin A supplements or any high-dose multivitamin supplements Don’t worry if you do eat any of the above as the risks are low, but if you start to feel ill after eating any of the above then call 111.