Pregnancy food & drink: what to avoid, limit or cook differently
Most pregnancy food advice comes down to three risks: listeria, toxoplasmosis and a handful of substances like mercury, vitamin A and glycyrrhizin. Here is exactly which foods are affected — and which ones are fine.
Is liquorice safe during pregnancy?
Heavy liquorice eating in pregnancy has been linked to lower IQ scores and more attention problems in children.
Read the answer →
Can you eat deli meat while pregnant?
Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeria — and cold cuts are a classic source.
Read the answer →
Which cheeses are safe during pregnancy?
Brie is off the menu — but in UK guidance, even unpasteurised cheddar is fine.
Read the answer →
Can you eat pâté when pregnant?
Liver pâté is a double risk: listeria and a vitamin that can harm your baby.
Read the answer →
Can you eat smoked salmon when pregnant?
Smoked salmon, gravlax — and even cold ready-to-eat prawns — now need cooking first.
Read the answer →
Is pre-cut melon safe during pregnancy?
A listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupe melons killed 33 people in the US.
Read the answer →
Are raw sprouts safe when pregnant?
That healthy-looking alfalfa sprout topping is on the FDA’s “don’t eat raw” list for pregnancy.
Read the answer →
Why should you avoid liver and vitamin A supplements in pregnancy?
A “healthy” fish liver oil capsule could give you too much of a vitamin that can harm your baby.
Read the answer →
How much caffeine is safe during pregnancy?
One large filter coffee plus a cola can already push you close to the daily limit.
Read the answer →
How much tuna can you eat while pregnant?
Fish is recommended in pregnancy — but swordfish, shark and marlin are off the table.
Read the answer →
Can you eat raw cookie dough while pregnant?
It’s not just the raw egg — raw flour can carry E. coli too.
Read the answer →
Can you eat sushi when pregnant?
The UK used to allow raw fish if it had been frozen first. Not any more.
Read the answer →
Is herbal tea safe during pregnancy?
“Natural” doesn’t mean tested — there’s very little safety data on most herbal teas.
Read the answer →
Are enoki mushrooms safe during pregnancy?
These trendy salad mushrooms have been behind multiple listeria outbreaks.
Read the answer →
Can you eat game meat like venison or pheasant when pregnant?
Pheasant, partridge and venison are on the NHS avoid list — because of lead.
Read the answer →Get the complete guide first
We’re putting every tip into one beautifully organised guide — with trimester checklists and a printable fridge list. Join the early-access list and we’ll email you when it’s ready.