The food and drink to avoid on holiday if you’re pregnant

As Dr Vanessa Mackay, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), explains, now is not the time for a culinary-focused vacation.

"There are some foods women should avoid or take care with when pregnant as they might make women ill or harm their baby," she says. "Avoid eating soft cheese with white rinds, mould-ripened soft goat's cheese and soft blue-veined cheese unless they have been cooked. Pâté, including vegetable pâté, should also be avoided."

These are just two examples on what is quite a long list - and perhaps two of the most heartbreaking if you’re going somewhere like France. However, with a bit of forward planning, and maybe some savvy food swaps, there's no reason why you can't eat healthily, safely and enjoyably on holiday.

Avoid undercooked meat

As Elizabeth Duff, senior policy advisor at NCT, points out, eating well abroad can sometimes be a bit more complicated than it was at home.

"Obviously most women who are pregnant will have discussed food with their midwife and done their own research about what is generally advised," she says. "What can be difficult abroad is that a lot of other countries have a tradition of serving meat quite undercooked, so that's something to check. It's common sense, but you don't want to worry about having a tummy upset and wondering whether that's affecting the baby."

She recommends opting for something cooked through, like a casserole, rather than something lightly grilled or fried (rare steaks, sadly, are a no). And since undercooked meat carries a risk of toxoplasmosis - a parasite-borne infection that can cause miscarriage - if something does look a bit pink when it arrives, it's best to leave it or give it to your partner.

On a similar note, you should exert caution with cold cured meats, such as salami, prosciutto and chorizo, as these can also contain toxoplasmosis-causing parasites. If you're preparing the meat yourself, you can reduce the risk by cooking it, or by freezing it for four days first. However, you should avoid these meats when eating out, since you can't be sure how they've been prepared.

"It is best for pregnant women to avoid eating game that has been shot with lead pellets as it may contain higher levels of lead," adds Mackay. "Pregnant women are advised not to eat liver or any products containing liver, as they may contain a lot of vitamin A, which can harm the unborn baby."

Be careful with cheese, fish and eggs

The recommendation around pâté and certain soft cheeses is due to the risk of infection.

"These soft cheeses are less acidic than hard cheeses and contain more moisture. This means they can be an ideal environment for harmful bacteria, such as listeria, to grow in," says Mackay. "While infection with listeria is rare, even a mild form of the illness in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or severe illness in a newborn baby."

The good news is that all other cheeses are fine. So while you should steer clear of uncooked Brie, Roquefort, gorgonzola or Camembert, you can eat feta, halloumi or cheddar to your heart's content.

As for fish, this is generally fine during pregnancy, and in fact comes highly recommended. However, oily fish should be consumed sparingly because of the risk of pollutants like mercury, and uncooked shellfish (along with shark, swordfish and marlin) should be avoided altogether. Sushi, meanwhile, is only advisable if the raw fish has been frozen first.

"Fish and shellfish can be very tempting abroad, especially if you're at the seaside, but that's something that needs checking," says Duff.

Another food to watch out for is eggs. These days, eggs produced in the UK are considered safe for pregnant women, even when eaten soft-boiled or runny. This is because they come from hens that have been vaccinated against salmonella. However, this may not be the case abroad, so you should stick to eggs that are fully cooked through. Avoid foods containing partially cooked eggs, like mousses.

Watch out for contaminated water

Fruit and vegetables, of course, are extremely important when you're pregnant, and form part of a generally healthy diet. You just have to be vigilant about washing them beforehand, especially if they have visible traces of soil or dirt.

If you're holidaying somewhere with water safety concerns, you can always wash fruit with bottled water (and drink exclusively bottled water yourself). And if there's any doubt about how the food has been prepared, it's best to err on the side of caution.

"Speak to the people who are providing the food and be sensible about where you're eating it," says Duff. "It's lovely to go somewhere where the locals go, but if that might mean tap water that isn't safe, just be a bit more careful."

Indulge with caution

On a final (and somewhat sobering!) note, the temptation to drink alcohol may be that bit more acute on holiday. However, it goes without saying that you should pass on the Jägerbombs.

"Most people on holiday, if they do drink, will have more than they would ordinarily have," says Duff. "The advice in the UK is safest for pregnant women not to drink anything at all. Although it's a nuanced message - there isn't strong evidence of harm to the baby from a really modest amount of alcohol - most women prefer just not to drink."

All in all then, you're looking at a holiday of hard cheeses, well-done steak and mocktails. And although 'eating for two' is a myth, your babymoon is a perfect time to relax and allow yourself a few indulgences. You just need to make informed choices and be that bit more careful than normal.