Can I eat this during pregnancy? 20 foods checked
Most everyday foods are safe in pregnancy. The main ones to avoid are unpasteurised dairy, raw or undercooked meat, eggs and fish, liver, high-mercury fish and alcohol, and keep caffeine under 200 mg a day. Pick a food below for a clear answer.
| Food or drink | Verdict | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Ajwain (carom seeds) | Safe | Yes, in cooking amounts |
| Coconut water | Safe | Yes |
| Dates (khajoor) | Safe | Yes, a healthy choice |
| Eggs | Safe | Yes, when well cooked |
| Honey | Safe | Yes |
| Mango | Safe | Yes, in sensible portions |
| Pineapple | Safe | Yes, in normal amounts |
| Prawns and shrimp | Safe | Yes, when thoroughly cooked |
| Saffron (kesar) | Safe | Yes, in cooking amounts |
| Sesame seeds (til) | Safe | Yes, in normal amounts |
| Coffee | Limit | Yes, up to 200 mg of caffeine a day |
| Green tea | Limit | Yes, 1 to 2 cups a day |
| Tea and karak chai | Limit | Yes, up to about 2 cups a day |
| Fenugreek (methi) | Depends | Leaves and cooking amounts: yes · Supplements and large doses: avoid |
| Paneer and cheese | Depends | Paneer and hard cheese: yes · Unpasteurised and mould-ripened soft cheese: avoid unless cooked |
| Papaya | Depends | Ripe: yes, in normal amounts · Unripe or green: avoid |
| Sushi and raw fish | Depends | Cooked or vegetarian sushi: yes · Raw fish: depends on where you live |
| Aloe vera juice | Avoid | Avoid drinking it; gel on skin is fine |
| Energy drinks | Avoid | Best avoided |
| Liver (kaleji) | Avoid | Best avoided |
Looking for something else? Our full guide to South Asian and Gulf foods covers dozens more, and the food checker in the Nine Moons app lets you search hundreds of foods.
Food safety questions
What foods should I avoid in pregnancy?
Avoid unpasteurised milk and cheese, soft mould-ripened and blue cheeses unless cooked, raw or undercooked meat, eggs and shellfish, liver and liver products, high-mercury fish such as shark and swordfish, alcohol, and more than 200 mg of caffeine a day.
Are spicy foods safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Spicy food won't harm your baby, though it can make heartburn worse.
Are 'hot' foods harmful in pregnancy?
The idea of 'hot' and 'cold' foods is traditional, not scientific. Foods such as papaya, pineapple, sesame and mango are safe in normal amounts when ripe and well prepared.