Safe foods seafood/shellfish as long as it has been thoroughly cooked until steaming hot, for example mussels, lobster, crab, oysters, scallops, clams and pre-cooked prawns. Peanuts and other nuts (unless you're allergic) - eating nuts when pregnant will not affect whether or not your baby has a peanut allergy.
Hot prawns or shellfish are safe as part of a hot dish, however they need to be cooked thoroughly to at least 63 degrees and eaten whilst hot. Oysters and other raw shellfish in pregnancy should be avoided, as these types of seafood can be contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses.
To avoid harmful bacteria or viruses in seafood: Avoid raw fish and shellfish. Examples of raw or undercooked foods to avoid include sushi, sashimi, ceviche and raw oysters, scallops or clams. Avoid refrigerated, uncooked seafood.
Pregnant women can and should be enjoying a lot of different kinds of fish and other seafood. Popular types like catfish, clams, cod, crab, pollock, salmon, scallops, shrimp, tilapia, trout, and canned tuna are all safe fish, healthy fish to eat during pregnancy.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can eat both white (albacore) and light canned/pouched tuna as part of a variety of their 2-3 servings of seafood each week. For the general population, there are no types of commercial seafood to avoid.
You should avoid raw shellfish because they can have harmful bacteria, viruses or toxins in them. These can make you unwell and give you food poisoning.
Fish to limit
To minimise the intake of mercury during pregnancy, various types of fish with higher levels of mercury should be limited to: shark (flake) and billfish (broadbill, swordfish and marlin), 1 serve (150g) per fortnight and no other fish that fortnight.
Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy
Be sure to limit caffeine to 200 mg a day (one 12-ounce cup of coffee). And, as you probably know, forget alcohol while your baby is growing inside you. To stay safe, also avoid these foods during your pregnancy. Cold cuts, deli meats, hot dogs, and other ready-to-eat meats.
Shrimp contain low levels of mercury; they also are low in fat content and high in protein, making them a healthy choice for pregnant mothers. Research suggests eating between 8 and 12 ounces of shellfish or fish per week, which is two or three meals.
In a word, yes. Eating seafood, including prawns, is generally safe during pregnancy but take extra care to make sure it is cooked well and consumed before its due date. Cooking well will kill off most of the bacteria which could cause food poisoning.
Crustacea (including prawns, lobster and crabs) and molluscs (including oysters and calamari) are not a concern because they generally contain lower levels of mercury and are usually consumed less often than finfish.
ALL CHICKEN PRODUCTS CONTAIN MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INFANTS BELOW 12 MONTHS AND PREGNANT WOMEN.
Do not eat raw or undercooked meat, chicken, or fish (such as sushi or raw oysters). Do not eat raw eggs or foods that contain raw eggs, such as Caesar dressing. Do not eat raw sprouts, especially alfalfa sprouts. Do not eat soft cheeses and unpasteurized dairy foods, such as Brie, feta, or blue cheese.
Hummus is a Super Healthy Food for Pregnancy
This means that as long as your hummus is a premium brand instead of a conventional, preservative-laden one, you can rest easy. Whether you're looking for protein rich foods for pregnancy or iron rich foods during pregnancy, hummus has it all.
Pizzas are safe to eat in pregnancy, as long they're cooked thoroughly and piping hot. Mozzarella is perfectly safe, but be cautious about pizzas topped with soft, mould-ripened cheeses, such as brie and camembert, and blue-veined cheeses, such as Danish blue.
If you let cooked chicken, turkey or other poultry cool before you eat it, though, it can become contaminated with listeria bacteria. The cold chicken used in sandwich bars may also be contaminated with listeria. Listeriosis infection is a mild illness for you, but it can be very harmful to your baby.
Shrimp is safe to eat during pregnancy. According to the National Institute of Health, shellfish and fish contain different levels of mercury, which can harm the fetus. Shrimp contains low levels of mercury making it safe to eat during pregnancy.
Maternal milk can be consumed as soon as you realise you are pregnant. It will provide you with the necessary nutrients needed for your pregnancy. Milk is a common drink that you might have in the morning and it's possible to fit it into your diet during pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women limit their caffeine consumption to less than 200 mg (about two, six-ounce cups) per day.
Calamari and other types of squid are fine to eat in moderation during pregnancy if well cooked. And, because calamari is often served fried, there's little chance of it reaching your table undercooked. Grilled calamari can be safe, too, as long as it's cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.