Pregnancy Food Safety Guide

Learn what foods are safe to eat during pregnancy and which ones to avoid or consume with caution.

Safe to Eat

These foods are generally safe for pregnant women when properly prepared and consumed in moderation.

Eat With Caution

These foods can be consumed during pregnancy but with specific precautions regarding preparation, serving size, and frequency.

Avoid During Pregnancy

These foods pose significant risks to maternal and fetal health and should be avoided throughout pregnancy.

Acai berries Acerola cherries Achiote Acorn squash Agar agar Agave nectar Aioli Alfalfa sprouts Almond butter Almond milk Almonds Aloe vera Aloe vera juice Anchovies Anise Annatto Apple cider vinegar Apple juice Apples Apricots Arborio rice Arrowroot Artichokes Artificial sweeteners Artificially sweetened drinks Arugula Ashwagandha Asparagus Aspartame Avocado Avocado oil Bacon Bagels Baking powder Baking soda Balsamic vinegar Bananas Barley Barley grass Basil Basmati rice Bay leaves Bean sprouts Bee pollen Beef Beer Beets Bell peppers Berbere Beyond Meat Bison Black beans Black cohosh Black pepper Black tea Blackberries Blue cheese Blue-green algae Blueberries Bologna Bone broth Bone marrow Bouillon cubes Brazil nuts Bread Breadfruit Brie Broccoli Broccoli sprouts Brown rice Brown sugar Brownies Brussels sprouts Buckwheat Bulgur Butter Butternut squash Cabbage Cacao nibs Cactus Caesar dressing Cake Camembert Candy Canola oil Cantaloupe Capers Caramel Caraway Cardamom Carob Carrageenan Carrots Casein protein Cashew butter Cashews Cassava Cauliflower Caviar Cayenne pepper CBD oil Celery Chaga mushrooms Chai tea Champagne Chanterelle mushrooms Cheddar Cherries Chia seeds Chicken Chickpeas Chili peppers Chinese five spice Chips Chlorella Chocolate Cider Cilantro Cinnamon Clams Cloves Cocoa butter Cocoa powder Coconut Coconut aminos Coconut cream Coconut milk Coconut oil Coconut sugar Coconut water Cod Cod liver oil Coffee Collagen Collagen protein Colloidal silver Colostrum Cookies Cordyceps Corn Cornstarch Cottage cheese Couscous Crab Crackers Cranberries Cranberry juice Cream cheese Creatine Croissants Cucumber Cumin Curry Dandelion Dark chocolate Date sugar Dates Deli meat Demi-glace Diet soda Dill Donuts Dragon fruit Duck Duck fat Dukkah Dulse Durian Echinacea Edamame Eggplant Eggs Elderberry Elk Energy drinks Enoki mushrooms Erythritol Espresso Farro Fennel Fenugreek Fermented vegetables Feta Figs Fish oil Fish sauce Flax seeds Flaxseed oil Foie gras Game meat Garam masala Garlic Gelatin Gelato Ghee Gin Ginger Ginseng Glutamine Gluten-free pasta Goat cheese Goji berries Goose Gorgonzola Grapefruit Grapefruit juice Grapes Grapeseed Gravy Greek yogurt Green beans Green tea Guacamole Guar gum Guava Gummy bears Halibut Ham Hard candy Hard-boiled eggs Harissa Hazelnuts Hemp protein Hemp seeds Herbal tea Herring Hollandaise sauce Honey Honeydew Horseradish Hot dogs Hot sauce Hummus Ice cream Impossible Burger Jackfruit Jalapeños Jasmine rice Jicama Juice Jun tea Kale Kefir Kelp Ketchup Kidney Kidney beans Kimchi Kiwi Kombu Kombucha Kumquat Kvass Lamb Lard Leeks Lemonade Lemons Lentils Lettuce Licorice Lima beans Limes Lion's mane mushrooms Liver Liverwurst Lobster Longan Lychee Maca root Macadamia nuts Mackerel Mango Mannitol Manuka honey Maple syrup Margarine Marshmallows Mascarpone Mayonnaise MCT oil Melatonin Microgreens Milk chocolate Milk thistle Millet Miso Molasses Monk fruit sweetener Morel mushrooms Moringa Mozzarella MSG Muffins Mushrooms Mussels Mustard Naan Natto Navy beans Nectarines Nettle leaf Nopal Nori Nutmeg Nutritional yeast Nuts Oat milk Oats Okra Olive oil Olives Onions Orange juice Oranges Oregano Organ meats Oyster mushrooms Oysters Papaya Paprika Parmesan Parsley Parsnips Passion fruit Pasta Pâté Pea protein Peaches Peanut butter Peanut oil Peanuts Pears Pecans Peppermint Pepperoni Persimmon Pickles Pie Pine nuts Pineapple Pinto beans Pistachios Pita bread Plantains Plums Pomegranate Pomegranate juice Popcorn Poppy seeds Porcini mushrooms Pork Portobello mushrooms Potatoes Pretzels Propolis Prosciutto Protein powder Prunes Pumpernickel bread Pumpkin Pumpkin seeds Quail Queso blanco Queso fresco Quince Quinoa Rabbit Radish sprouts Radishes Raisins Rambutan Raspberries Raspberry leaf tea Raw eggs Raw honey Raw milk Raw milk cheese Red wine vinegar Reishi mushrooms Relish Rice Rice milk Rice protein Rice vinegar Ricotta Roe Roquefort Rosemary Roux Royal jelly Rum Runny eggs Rutabaga Rye Rye bread Saccharin Saffron Sage Salami Salmon Salsa Sardines Sauerkraut Sausage Scallops Seaweed Seeds Seitan Sesame oil Sesame seeds Shallots Shiitake mushrooms Shortening Shrimp Snap peas Snow peas Soda Soft cheese Sorbet Sorbitol Sourdough Sourdough bread Soy milk Soy sauce Spaghetti squash Sparkling water Spearmint Spelt Spinach Spirulina Split peas Sprouts St. John's Wort Star anise Starfruit Stevia Strawberries Sucralose Sumac Summer squash Sunflower seed butter Sunflower seeds Sushi Sweet potatoes Sweetbreads Swiss cheese Tahini Tallow Tamari Tamarind Tapioca Taro Tempeh Tequila Textured vegetable protein Thyme Tilapia Tofu Tortillas Trout Truffle oil Truffles Tuna Turkey Turkey tail mushrooms Turmeric Turnips Unpasteurized milk Valerian root Vanilla Veal Vegetable oil Venison Vinegar Vodka Wakame Walnut oil Walnuts Wasabi Water kefir Watermelon Wheat Wheat germ Wheatgrass Whey protein Whiskey White bread White chocolate White rice White sugar White vinegar Whole wheat bread Whole wheat pasta Wild rice Wine Winter squash Worcestershire sauce Xanthan gum Xylitol Yams Yeast Yogurt Za'atar Zucchini

General Pregnancy Nutrition Guidelines

Proper nutrition during pregnancy is essential for both maternal health and fetal development. Here are key guidelines to follow:

Key Nutrients During Pregnancy

Folic Acid - Essential for neural tube development. Found in leafy greens, fortified cereals, and prenatal vitamins.
Iron - Supports increased blood volume and prevents anemia. Sources include lean meats, beans, and fortified cereals.
Calcium - Critical for developing bones and teeth. Found in dairy products, fortified plant milks, and leafy greens.
Protein - Essential for tissue growth. Sources include lean meats, eggs, dairy, legumes, and tofu.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Important for brain and eye development. Found in fatty fish (low in mercury), walnuts, and flaxseed.

Food Safety Tips During Pregnancy

Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling food.
Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meats.
Cook all meats thoroughly to proper internal temperatures.
Refrigerate perishable foods promptly and properly.
Avoid unpasteurized dairy products, juices, and raw sprouts.

Consult Your Healthcare Provider

Always discuss your dietary needs and restrictions with your healthcare provider, as individual needs may vary based on medical history and specific pregnancy conditions.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding dietary needs during pregnancy.