This list doesn’t include all foods that are safe to eat during pregnancy as it would be far too long. Instead we have concentrated on supplying a list of foods that you might not be very sure about.
Cheese
All hard cheeses are safe in pregnancy, even if made with unpasteurised milk – including blue cheeses such as Stilton.
Soft cheeses, made with pasteurised milk, which are safe to eat during pregnancy include:
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Feta
- Goat’s cheese
- Halloumi
- Mozzarella
- Paneer
- Processed cheeses, such as cheese spread
- Ricotta
Fish
- Shell fish that are cooked thoroughly (it is best to avoid raw shellfish when pregnant), including:
- Crab
- Crayfish
- Clams
- Lobster
- Shrimps
- Mussels
- Oysters
- Prawns
- Scallops
- Winkles
- Smoked fish, including:
- Smoked salmon
- Trout
- White fish, including:
- Cod
- Coley
- Flounder
- Gurnard
- Haddock
- Hake
- Plaice
- Skate
Ice cream
Ice cream is safe to eat if made with pasteurised milk and eggs. Homemade ice cream should be made with a pasteurised egg substitute or no eggs.
Pasteurised or UHT milk
Milk bought in supermarkets will be pasteurised and is therefore safe to drink. If you are unsure if the milk has been pasteurised boil it before you use it.
Peanuts
Peanuts and food containing peanuts are safe to eat when you are pregnant and breastfeeding. New evidence suggests that eating nuts during pregnancy can reduce the chance of nut allergies in your child. Do not eat nuts if you are allergic to them!
Yoghurt
If it is homemade yoghurt make sure it is made with pasteurised milk.