Safe to eat during pregnancy

To all the food enthusiasts out there, this is the scoop you’ve been waiting for! If you’re someone who relishes the joy of sushi or finds delight in a glass of prosecco, brace yourself for a small change in your culinary journey – but let us assure you, the rewards are immeasurable!

Now, if you’re a mom-to-be enjoying the United Kingdom’s embrace, it’s time to discover the art of tailoring your meals to this special phase. While some cherished flavours might be on pause, consider it a culinary transformation that’s all about embracing new tastes. Stick around because, as we journey forward, we’re unveiling the culinary compass that’ll help you navigate your delectable path. The symphony of flavours you’re about to encounter is simply enchanting – trust us, you won’t want to miss this harmony.

In the UK and expecting? A few food types are best avoided during this journey to ensure both your well-being and your precious baby’s health. Stay tuned as we explore this vibrant culinary voyage together. Your plate is about to be filled with more than just delicious bites – it’s a palette of nourishing choices for you and your bundle of joy.

Type	Allowed	To avoid (unless cooked thoroughly)	Potential risks:
Cheese	Any hard cheese (Cheddar, Parmesan, and Stilton) or cheese made from pasteurised milk (except mould/blue).	Any soft cheese, not made from pasteurised cheese. Cheese with mould. Soft-blue cheese.	Infection with listeria, miscarriage, stillbirth or severe illness in a newborn baby.
Eggs	Eggs produced under the British Lion Code of Practice. These eggs will have a stamp on them with a red lion. They are safe to eat raw or partially cooked, which means you can continue enjoying your breakfast as if nothing happened.	Any hen eggs that are not marked with the red lion. Non-hen eggs such as duck, goose and quail eggs.	Infection with Salmonella.
Meat	Properly cooked meat and poultry (steaming hot and with no trace of pink or blood, well done).	Any raw or undercooked meat, including meat joints and steaks, cooked rare.	Infection with toxoplasmosis.

Dreaming of smoked salmon? Go ahead, indulge! It’s a pregnancy-safe choice. Just steer clear of sharks, swordfish, or marlin – those are a no-go.

Craving sushi? Here’s the scoop: You can enjoy raw or lightly cooked fish in sushi. Just ensure that any raw wild fish used has been frozen first – that’s the secret ingredient for safety.

Nuts are your friends – unless you’re allergic, of course. All types of nuts are fair game, so crunch away!

Eyeing that prosciutto or salami? Approach cured meats with care; they might harbour toxoplasmosis-causing critters. Double-check packaging – is it ready-to-eat or in need of a cook-off? They’re pizza-worthy when cooked.

Pâté, anyone? Hold off on liver or liver-containing treats like pâté and haggis. They pack a vitamin A punch that’s not best for your baby. Steer clear of all pâtés – even the veggie ones, as they could contain listeria.

Coffee fiend? No worries, but consider scaling back. Aim for a maximum of 200mg of caffeine a day. That counts everything – even chocolate, tea, and cola. Struggling to trim your caffeine fix? Opt for decaf or switch to refreshing fruit juices and sparkling water.

• Wash fruits, vegetables, and salads to remove all traces of soil and visible dirt to avoid potential harm to your unborn baby.
• Always eat cooked, rather than raw, shellfish – including mussels, lobster, crab, prawns, scallops and clams.
• Stick to pasteurized or ultra-heat treated (UHT) milk, which is sometimes called long-life milk. Yoghurt is very important during pregnancy, so make sure you don’t say no to that.
• Don’t take high-dose multivitamin supplements, fish liver oil supplements, or any supplements containing vitamin A.

Every bite matters, and these easy pointers ensure you’re making choices that are both delightful and safe. Cheers to you and your baby’s wellness journey!