What foods should you avoid in pregnancy

A.� There are a number of foods which experts recommend avoiding during pregnancy. Protect yourself against listeriosis by avoiding blue-veined, mould-ripened cheeses, pates, ready-made salads in chilled counters and soft-whip ice-creams until after the birth.

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Salmonella is a risk to the pregnant mum and unborn baby. Avoid foods containing raw or lightly cooked eggs, such as home-made mayonnaise, scrambled eggs, omelettes, home-made ice creams and sauces such as hollandaise. Poultry and meat may contain the parasite that contains toxoplasmosis, so they should be cooked thoroughly (pregnant women should also take care when handling cat litter trays for this reason), and most doctors advise against eating shellfish, raw meat and seafood.

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Q.� Which foods help with morning sickness

A.� Ginger can help ward of feelings of nausea. Try a ginger biscuits before getting out of bed or an oatcake. Avoid fatty foods and fried foods and stick to starchy meals like pasta, rice and potatoes. Herbals drinks such as peppermint, ginger or camomile can help too.

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Q.� What foods should you be eating

A.� Plenty of iron-rich foods such as lean, red meat and green, leafy vegetables, to prevent iron deficiencies. Pregnant women should eat plenty of vitamin C, which is needed for tissue growth and it also helps the body absorb iron. Eating a boiled egg with wholemeal toast and a glass of fresh orange juice provides lots of important vitamins and minerals for example. Eat plenty of foods which contain folic acid, a nutrient which helps protect the baby against neural tube problems. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should take a daily 400 microgram supplement during the first 12 weeks. Many breakfast cereals and some breads are rich in folic acid and carry folic acid labels. Calcium is important for mother and baby and women should aim to have a pint of milk, some cheese or a yoghurt every day.

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Q.� Can you drink alcohol

A.� There is divided opinion although many midwives say a small amount will not harm the baby. Government guidelines suggest up to seven units week.

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For further question and answers relating to food and drink, click here

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By Katharine MacColl