Diet and health in pregnancy

Pate
This can sometimes contain listeria, a bacteria which can cause food poisoning that can harm an unborn baby. Avoid all types of pate, including vegetarian options.

Raw or partially cooked eggs
Eggs need to be cooked enough for both the white and yolk to be solid - so foods containing raw eggs such as home-made mayonnaise, mousses and tiramisu should be avoided. This is to avoid the risk of food poisoning.

Raw shellfish
Raw shellfish can sometimes contain harmful bacteria and viruses that could cause food poisoning. Make sure that you cook all shellfish thoroughly.

Shark, swordfish and marlin
These fish sometimes contain high levels of mercury, which could harm your baby's developing nervous system so it's advised that you avoid eating these fish.

Certain meats
During your pregnancy you need to take a little extra care when cooking certain meats such as poultry, burgers, sausages, chicken nuggets, rolled joints and kebabs. This is because these types of meat can have bacteria all the way through them - so if they aren't properly cooked then any bacteria in the meat might not be killed. Make sure that these products are cooked right the way through and are piping hot in the middle.

It's fine for you to eat steaks and other whole cuts of meat rare during your pregnancy, as long as you ensure that the meat is sealed properly to kill any bacteria that may be present on the outside. You can also serve joints rare too, as long as the joint is a single piece of meat and not a rolled joint made from different pieces of meat rolled together.

Certain cheeses
It's best to avoid eating cheeses made from unpasteurised milk and certain soft cheeses such as Camembert, Brie or Chevre (a type of goat's cheese). You should also avoid blue cheeses as they are made with mould and occasionally contain listeria - a type of bacteria that could harm your unborn baby.

The following cheeses are ok to eat during pregnancy:

• Hard cheeses: Cheddar, Gruyere and Parmesan
• Other cheeses including: feta, ricotta, mascarpone, cream cheese, mozzarella, processed cheese, cheese spread and cottage cheese

Milk
Drink milk that has been pasteurised, sterilised or ultra heat-treated (UHT). Milk that has not been heat-treated could potentially cause illness.

Some types of fish
During your pregnancy make sure you eat enough fish, as it's really good for both your health and that of your developing baby. Most types of fish can be eaten during pregnancy, but you should avoid eating any shark, swordfish or marlin.

Oily fish
Oily fish such as fresh tuna, mackerel, sardines and trout should be limited to two portions a week. You also shouldn't eat more than two fresh tuna steaks a week (weighing about 140g cooked or 170g raw). Tinned tuna is not classed as an oily fish and it's fine to eat up to four medium size cans of tuna a week (with a drained weight of about 140g per can).

Be careful with caffeine
You don't need to cut out caffeine completely but try not to have more than a daily total of two cups of tea, one mug of instant coffee, a can of cola and a chocolate bar - the equivalent to 300mg of caffeine. High levels of caffeine may affect your baby's birth-weight or increase the risk of miscarriage or still birth. For more information on levels of caffeine found in common food and drinks visit the Food Standards Agency?s practical advice site on diet and nutrition: www.eatwell.gov.uk/pregnancy