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Guide to food and drink during pregnancy

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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

Dairy and eggs

Yes

  • Pasteurised milk
  • Yoghurt (pasteurised)
  • Cooked eggs
  • Fried eggs
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Quiche
  • Commercial mayonnaise and aioli

No

  • Unpasteurised milk and milk product
  • Soft serve ice cream
  • Uncooked eggs
  • Homemade mayonnaise, aioli or caesar dressing
  • 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 or 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*
  • Deep sea perch or catfish**

* no more than 100g (cooked) per fortnight, with no other fish that fortnight
** 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

Fruits, vegetables and nuts

Yes

  • Whole fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs — thoroughly washed to remove all traces of dirt
  • Legumes (such as beans, peas and lentils)
  • Nuts (unless already allergic)

No

  • Raw sprouts (alfalfa, radish, mung beans, soybeans)
  • Rockmelon
  • 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)

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Last reviewed: April 2024


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