What Foods Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?

The dos and don’ts when it comes to pregnancy can be an absolute minefield. Between old wives tales and stories of what you can and can’t it, it can be pretty daunting for a pregnant women especially if it’s your first baby. 

• Avoid eating marlin, shark and swordfish as these contain high levels of mercury which can damage a babies developing nervous system.
• It is advised to eat no more than two portions of oily fish a week or more than 4 cans of tuna. Again fish contains high levels of mercury.
• Raw shellfish is a no-no in pregnancy. They can contain viruses and bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.
• Other foods women should during pregnancy include liver products such as pate. These foods are high in Vitamin A which have been linked with causing abnormalities if you eat too much. It is also advised not to take supplements which contain Vitamin A.
• If you are taking iron supplements always be cautious with how you consume it. Tea, milk and caffeine should be avoided while eating iron rich foods. They can actually decrease your bodies’ absorption of iron. However do no cut out milk completely from your diet. Drink it between meals to give your body a chance to absorb the iron.
• Eggs must be cooked thoroughly until the egg white and yolk are completely solid. There is a high risk of salmonella with undercooked eggs which can be very risky in pregnancy.
• You do not need to cut of caffeine completely from your diet when pregnant but it is advised to monitor how much you drink. The HSE advises you do not take more than 200mg of caffeine a day which equates two cups of tea, two cups of instant coffee or one cup of filter coffee per day.
• Mould-ripened soft cheeses and blue cheeses must be avoided in pregnancy such as brie, camembert and Stilton. However, hard cheeses like cheddar, mozarella, cottage cheese and parmesan are completely fine to eat when you are expecting.