Guide to food and drink during pregnancy - text version
2-minute read
When you are pregnant, there seems to be a never-ending list of things you can and can't eat...and an even longer list of people willing to give you advice! Use our handy guide to find out what is safe to eat during your pregnancy and the foods and drinks you should avoid.
Cheese
Yes
- Cheddar
- Parmesan
- Stilton
- Cottage cheese (pasteurised)
- Mozzarella (pasteurised)
- Cream cheese (pasteurised)
- Paneer (pasteurised)
- Halloumi (pasteurised)
- Goat's cheese (pasteurised)
- Processed cheese
No
- Brie
- Camembert
- Feta
- Ricotta
- Blue cheese
- Gorgonzola
- Chevre
- Any unpasteurised cheese
- Imported cheeses
Eggs and other dairy products
Yes
- Pasteurised milk
- Cooked eggs
- Fried eggs
- Scrambled eggs
- Quiche
- Commercial mayonnaise and aoli
- Yoghurt (pasteurised)
No
- Eggs - raw or undercooked
- Unpasteurised milk and milk product
- Homemade mayonnaise, aioli or caesar dressing
- Soft serve ice cream
- Homemade chocolate mousse
- Cake batter
- Pancake batter
Meat and poultry
Yes
- Beef
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Pork
- Sausages
- Mince
- Deli cuts (such as ham, chorizo, salami) - only if cooked fresh and eaten hot
- Hot take-away chicken - purchase fresh and eaten hot
No
- Cold cut meats (such as ham, salami) from deli, salad bar, takeaway
- Cold chicken or turkey (from salad/sandwich shop)
- Stuffing
- Liver and liver products
- Pate and meat spreads
Fish and seafood
Yes
- Cooked fish and seafood
- Shark/flake, marlin or broadbill/swordfish – no more than 100g (cooked) per fortnight, with no other fish that fortnight
- Orange roughy (deep sea perch), catfish – no more than 100g (cooked) per week, with no other fish that week
No
- Raw fish
- Raw seafood
- Chilled peeled prawns
- Sushi - raw fish and seafood
- Oysters
Fruit, vegetables and nuts
Yes
- Whole fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs providing thoroughly washed to remove all traces of dirt
- Legumes (such as beans, peas and lentils)
- Nuts (unless already allergic)
No
- Rockmelon
- Raw sprouts (alfalfa, radish, mung beans, soybeans)
- Prepackaged salads and fruit salads
- Ready-made salads (buffets and salad bars)
Drink
Yes
- Coffee (limit intake)
- Tea (contains caffeine, limit intake)
- Soft drink (limit - beware of excess sugar)
- Juice
- Milk pasteurised
- Mineral water
No
- Alcohol
- Unpasteurised milk
- Unpasteurised juice
- Energy drinks
- Herbal teas (caution)