Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Food Safety

What foods should I avoid during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, avoid raw or undercooked meat and seafood, unpasteurized dairy, high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, king mackerel), raw sprouts, and deli meats unless heated to steaming. WombFood covers 170+ foods with a traffic-light system — safe, caution, or avoid — so you always have a clear answer at the grocery store or restaurant.

Is it safe to eat sushi when pregnant?

Sushi made with raw fish is generally not recommended during pregnancy due to risks of listeria, parasites, and mercury. Cooked sushi rolls (shrimp tempura, California rolls with imitation crab) are safer options. WombFood gives you instant clarity on specific sushi types so you don't have to guess or avoid Japanese food entirely while pregnant.

Can I eat deli meat while pregnant?

Deli meats carry a risk of listeria contamination, which is particularly dangerous during pregnancy. The safest approach is to heat deli meat until steaming before eating. Cold cuts straight from the fridge should be avoided. WombFood flags deli meat as a caution item with specific guidance on how to prepare it safely so you don't have to skip sandwiches entirely.

What fish is safe to eat during pregnancy?

Low-mercury fish that are safe during pregnancy include salmon, sardines, shrimp, cod, and tilapia — up to 2–3 servings per week. High-mercury fish like tilefish, shark, and swordfish should be avoided entirely. WombFood's database covers dozens of fish species with safe serving guidance so you can enjoy seafood's omega-3 benefits confidently throughout pregnancy.

Is feta cheese safe during pregnancy?

Feta cheese made from pasteurized milk is generally safe to eat during pregnancy. Unpasteurized feta carries a listeria risk and should be avoided. Always check the label — most supermarket feta in the US and UK is pasteurized. WombFood gives you a straightforward safe/caution/avoid rating for feta and 170+ other foods so there's no guesswork involved.

Can I drink coffee while pregnant?

Caffeine is generally considered safe during pregnancy in limited amounts — most guidelines recommend under 200mg per day (roughly one 12oz cup of coffee). Higher intake is linked to increased miscarriage risk. WombFood rates coffee as a caution item with a clear daily limit guideline, so you can enjoy your morning cup without worrying you're overdoing it.

Is it safe to eat eggs during pregnancy?

Fully cooked eggs are safe and nutritious during pregnancy — they're an excellent protein source. Raw or runny eggs (soft-boiled, poached with liquid yolk, sunny-side up) carry salmonella risk and should be avoided. WombFood clarifies egg safety by cooking method, so you know exactly which egg preparations are safe versus which to skip while pregnant.

What foods can cause miscarriage or harm during early pregnancy?

No single food definitively causes miscarriage, but high-risk foods include raw papaya, raw pineapple in large amounts, high-mercury fish, unpasteurized soft cheeses, raw sprouts, and alcohol at any quantity. WombFood is designed to make first-trimester food decisions less stressful by flagging high-risk items clearly so you can avoid them without fear or confusion.

Is there an app that tells you what's safe to eat when pregnant?

Yes. WombFood is a pregnancy food safety app with a database of 170+ foods, each rated with a traffic-light system: green for safe, yellow for caution, red for avoid. You can search any food and instantly see whether it's safe during pregnancy, along with the reason and any relevant serving guidance — no Google rabbit hole required.

Can pregnant women eat smoked salmon?

Refrigerated smoked salmon (lox) is generally advised against during pregnancy due to listeria risk from cold-smoking. Canned or shelf-stable smoked salmon is considered safer as the canning process kills listeria. Thoroughly cooked smoked salmon in hot dishes is also safe. WombFood breaks down smoked salmon by preparation type so you get the right answer for your specific situation.