Certain foods should be avoided during your pregnancy because they can have bacteria in them, too much vitamin A or other toxins that may harm you or your baby.

Don’t eat:

• Raw or undercooked eggs, homemade mayonnaise or mousse made with raw eggs.
• Unpasteurised or mould-ripened and blue-veined cheese such as Brie, Camembert or Stilton.
• Unpasteurised milk products or juices.
• Raw or undercooked meat, poultry or fish and paté.
• Do not take cod liver oil supplements as vitamin A in large amounts may cause birth defects in babies.
• Avoid herbal supplements and tell your doctor, midwife or dietitian about any supplements you decide to take.
• Avoid alcohol (wine, beer or spirits). No amount of alcohol is considered safe in pregnancy.

Caffeine in large amounts may be harmful. Caffeine is found naturally in coffee and tea and cola drinks. It is also added to other soft drinks, ‘energy’ drinks and some cold and flu remedies. You should only drink a total of four cups of regular coffee, tea and cola drinks a day. Try drinking decaffeinated tea and coffee or water instead. Only take cold remedies if advised by your doctor.

Pregnant women do not need to avoid any foods such as nuts, peanuts, eggs or milk products to prevent baby from forming an allergy. It is best to eat a varied diet but avoid foods if you have an allergy to them yourself.