While you are pregnant, you cannot afford to fool around when you are carrying such a precious little passenger, so based on three pregnancies and tons of advice and research from just about every corner, my top four foods to avoid are:

1. Liver and any Pate as these can contain Listeria. This is a foodbourne disease, the bacteria of which, cause abdominal pain and diarrhoea and can also harm your unborn baby.

2. Blue veined soft mouldy cheeses like Blue cheese, Brie and Chevre as these can also contain Listeria. Stick with hard cheese like cheddar.

3. Soy products are not recommended as not only do they contain phytoestrogens which can affect your babies developing brain and phytoestrogens which can affect your babies developing brain and reproductive organs, they also blocks the absorption of important nutrients like calcium and magnesium ( essential for strong teeth and bones), zinc and iron. Your need for Vitamin D also increases if you consume lots of soy products and that can be difficult to replenish if you live in a place with less sunshine like the UK.

4. Shark, Swordfish and Marlin should be avoided although I wouldn’t know where to buy any of these and I would have personal issues eating such magnificent fish. Tuna also lands in this category as all these fish have high levels of mercury content which is extremely dangerous and affects moods and behaviour patterns. It has been linked to Learning Disabilities, ADD and Behaviour Disorders. Felters who made hats from felt in the late 19th century were exposed to mercury which had adverse effects on their moods and this is where the phrase, Mad as a Hatter originated from.

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