When you're expecting a baby, it's essential to pay close attention to what you're eating. Not only does your diet impact your well-being, but it can also affect the health of your developing baby.
While there are plenty of nutritious options to include in your meals, it's equally important to know which foods to avoid during pregnancy.
In this post, we'll go over some of the foods that expecting parents should stay away from and why they can be harmful.
Eggs
Can you eat eggs when pregnant?
Yes, but any eggs you do eat need to be thoroughly cooked, which means no runny yolks.
Can you eat mayonnaise when pregnant?
Yes, commercial mayonnaise that contains pasteurised eggs can be eaten if it's safely stored in the fridge, but you should avoid homemade mayonnaise.
Seafood and shellfish
Can you eat seafood when pregnant?
Shellfish, molluscs, and crustaceans come under the "seafood" umbrella. Fish isn't considered seafood. Most types of seafood are safe to eat when fully cooked, but we'll talk through each type one-by-one below for clarity.
Can you eat shellfish when pregnant?
Yes, but you should avoid raw shellfish and make sure that any shellfish you do eat is cooked thoroughly to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
Can you eat prawns when pregnant?
Cooked prawns are safe to eat while you're pregnant, but they can cause food poisoning if eaten raw. They should be cooked through until steaming hot.
Don't eat pre-cooked prawns as they may not have been freshly cooked.
Can you eat lobster when pregnant?
Yes, freshly cooked lobster is safe to eat, but if it's eaten raw it can cause food poisoning. Any lobster you eat while pregnant should be cooked through until steaming hot.
Can you eat mussels when pregnant?
Cooked mussels are safe to eat, but raw ones should be avoided because they can cause food poisoning. They need to be fully cooked through until steaming hot, and you should always avoid eating closed mussels.
It's also worth noting that mussels and clams are often cooked in a white wine sauce that needs to be thoroughly cooked to allow the alcohol to evaporate. For this reason, some pregnant people choose to avoid sauces cooked with wine or other types of alcohol.
Can you eat squid when pregnant?
Cooked squid is safe to eat but it can cause food poisoning if eaten raw. Squid should be fully cooked through until steaming hot.
Can you eat oysters when pregnant?
Cooked oysters are safe to eat but raw ones can cause food poisoning. They should be fully cooked through until steaming hot.
Fish
Can you eat fish while pregnant?
The amount of shark, swordfish, broadbill, or marlin you eat while pregnant should be limited to once a fortnight. And orange roughy (sea perch) and catfish should be limited to once a week with no other fish eaten at that time.
You should also limit your intake of tuna (and other oily fish) to no more than four medium-sized cans, or two fresh tuna steaks a week. This is because they contain unsafe levels of mercury which may be harmful to your baby's nervous system.
Can you eat smoked fish while pregnant?
No, smoked fish should be avoided because smoking alone doesn't illuminate the risk of listeria.
Can you eat sushi while pregnant?
Yes, you can eat homemade sushi while pregnant if the fish has been cooked thoroughly. Avoid store-bought sushi or sushi made with raw seafood or other fillings that's not freshly made.
