Are there foods I should avoid during pregnancy to protect my unborn child?

What you eat can have a direct impact on the health of your unborn child. There are foods you should try to eat during pregnancy to help your baby grow and develop in your womb. You need whole, unprocessed foods that are good sources of healthy fats, proteins and carbohydrates. However, there are key foods to stay away from: 

1. Mackerel can contain high levels of mercury which can be harmful to your unborn baby. Shark and swordfish should be avoided for the same reason.

2. Liver and liver products contain very high levels of vitamin A which research has shown can cause birth defects. Similarly, any supplements with high levels of vitamin A should not be taken during pregnancy.

3. Soft, mould-ripened and  blue veined cheeses such as Brie, Stilton and Camembert should be avoided because they can contain the potentially poisonous listeria bug.

 4. Anything unpasteurized such as eggs, milk, or cheese can lead to toxoplasmosis which is an infection caused by a microscopic parasite that can live inside the cells of humans and animals, especially cats and farm animals.

5. Underdone or lightly cooked eggs, meat or poultry; or raw or uncooked eggs, meat and poultry can contain a variety of bugs that could seriously harm your unborn baby.

You can still enjoy your favorite drinks during pregnancy but only in moderation. You should drink no more than three cups of coffee a day and ideally only one. You should drink no more than one or two glasses of wine a week. However, to be safe you shouldn't drink any alcohol at all until after your baby is born.