Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy

Reviewed by: Dr. Ritu Budania



Disclaimer: Informative, not prescriptive.

High Mercury Fish

Big fish gather a lot of mercury, so it's safer to skip them when pregnant or breastfeeding.

Raw Fish

Raw fish can get germs that might make you sick or pass to your baby through the placenta, so it’s safer to cook fish before eating, especially when pregnant.

Image Source: freepik.com

Raw Meat

Eating meat that's not fully cooked raises your chance of getting sick from germs like Toxoplasma, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.

Image Source: freepik.com

Processed and Deli Meat

Deli meats have lots of salt and unhealthy fats. It’s better to avoid them and make sure processed meats like sausages are cooked well.

Image Source: freepik.com

Raw Eggs

Eating raw eggs can make you very sick with fever, nausea, and tummy pain, especially if you're pregnant

Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables

Unwashed fruits and veggies can have germs like E. coli, Salmonella, and others from the soil or handling. Always wash well before consumption

Unpasteurized Dairy Products

Raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products can have bad germs like Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter that cause food poisoning.

Soft Cheeses

Certain soft cheeses have Listeria bacteria, which can make you very sick and even lead to pregnancy complications.

Processed Foods

Foods that are heavily processed usually have lots of calories, sugar, and fats but not many nutrients, which can make you gain weight.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy raises the chances of losing the baby, stillbirth, and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which can harm the baby's heart and brain development.