Foods to avoid
FoodSafety.gov lists these foods to avoid in pregnancy:[1]
- raw or undercooked seafood, eggs, meat and poultry;[1]
- refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is cooked;[1]
- unpasteurized juice and milk;[1]
- cheeses made from raw milk, and unheated queso fresco-type cheeses;[1]
- premade deli salads and raw sprouts;[1]
- hot dogs and deli meats, unless reheated until steaming (165°F);[1]
- refrigerated pâtés;[1]
- raw dough or batter.[1]
The NHS advises avoiding liver because it is high in vitamin A.[2]
ACOG says to avoid raw fish and shellfish, including sushi, and to choose pasteurized dairy only.[3]
The NHS says to avoid undercooked or cured meat and unpasteurized goats' milk or cheese.[4]
Fish
The FDA says to avoid king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, bigeye tuna and tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico.[5]
Infections to know about
The NHS says to let someone else empty the cat litter, because of the risk of toxoplasmosis.[4] It suggests gloves for gardening.[6]
Drinks
MedlinePlus says to keep caffeine under 200 mg a day, about 1 to 2 small cups of coffee or tea.[7]
CDC says there is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy and no safe time to drink.[8]
Questions families ask
Can I eat deli meat while pregnant?
FoodSafety.gov says to avoid hot dogs and deli meats unless they are reheated until steaming (165°F).[1]
Can I eat queso fresco?
FoodSafety.gov lists cheeses made from raw milk and unheated queso fresco-type cheeses among foods to avoid.[1]
Can I eat sushi?
ACOG says to avoid raw fish and shellfish, including sushi.[3]
Can I eat liver?
The NHS advises avoiding liver because it is high in vitamin A.[2]
Free from UpOnly Learning. Written for families of every faith. No outside ads and no affiliate links. Every fact on this page comes from the sources listed below. How we source and review these pages
Updated 2026-10-24: first published.
Sources
All sources were opened and checked on the date shown.
- FoodSafety.gov (HHS, USDA, FDA). People at Risk: Pregnant Women. Checked October 24, 2026.
- NHS (United Kingdom). Foods to avoid in pregnancy. Checked October 24, 2026.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Healthy Eating During Pregnancy. Checked October 24, 2026.
- NHS (United Kingdom). 13 weeks pregnant guide. Checked October 24, 2026.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Advice about Eating Fish. Checked October 24, 2026.
- NHS (United Kingdom). 28 weeks pregnant guide. Checked October 24, 2026.
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Caffeine in the diet. Checked October 24, 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Alcohol Use During Pregnancy. Checked October 24, 2026.