From unpasteurised milk to raw shellfish, there are some foods that you should avoid when pregnant, according to the NHS.
This is usually because they carry added risk of containing bacteria, viruses and toxins that could pose a risk to your developing baby. Thankfully, most products are completely safe and the things to avoid are in the minority.
Comprehensive advice on what you should not eat and drink when pregnant can be found on the NHS website. Here are eight of the most common foods to avoid completely.
READ MORE: Early pregnancy symptoms and how your height affects when you start to show
What foods should I avoid during pregnancy?
1. Unpasteurised milk, cream and cheese. Products may contain listeria bacteria, which can cause a harmful infection called listeriosis. This can harm your baby or, in the worst cases, lead to miscarriage.
2. Uncertified raw or partially cooked hen eggs. Only hen eggs marked 'British Lion' or 'Laid in Britain' are safe to eat raw, according to the NHS. Raw eggs from other sources may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria, which can give you food poisoning.
3. Raw or undercooked meat. These products come with a small risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. The infection can, if caught early in pregnancy, cause serious complications to your baby or miscarriage.
4. Liver and liver products. Organ meat contains a great deal of vitamin A, which can be harmful to an unborn baby in high quantities. This is also why vitamin A supplements should not be consumed when pregnant.
5. Game meats (eg goose, partridge and pheasant). The NHS advises against these foods for the simple reason that they may contain lead shot. If absorbed, the toxic metal can harm your baby's developing brain and nervous system.
6. Unwashed fruits, vegetables and salads. Although it may seem benign, soil stuck in leaves or on skin may be contaminated with unwanted bacteria and parasites. These include listeria and toxoplasma.
7. High mercury fish (eg swordfish, marlin and sharks). Mercury can cause developmental problems in children in high amounts, as well as being toxic to your nervous system, immune system and kidneys. Tuna can be consumed but no more than twice a week.
8. Raw shellfish (eg clams, mussels and oysters). Products may contain harmful bacteria, viruses or toxins that can give you food poisoning or infections, such as listeriosis. Smoked fish should also be avoided for the time being due to an ongoing listeria outbreak.
More information about keeping well during pregnancy can be found on the NHS website.
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