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