Keeping healthy when you are having a baby depends on both the amount and the type of food you eat before you become pregnant and during your pregnancy. Simply being a correct weight for your height does not necessarily mean that you are eating healthily. Some foods are best avoided if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are already pregnant, as they may contain substances that could affect your unborn baby’s development.
This information has been developed by the RCOG Patient Information Committee. It is based on information from the NHS Choices website and the RCOG scientific impact paper Nutrition in Pregnancy (September 2010).