Foods in Europe - what do the European ladies avoid while pregnant?

I'm traveling to Europe this weekend (and yes I've been half a dozen times before, but never pregnant) and I was wondering what foods pregnant ladies over there avoided ? Over here we're told to avoid lunch meats (listeria), and unpasteurized cheeses, sushi, etc. Any foods I should avoid eating while over there or assume anything other than alcohol is safe? :) I'm usually not overly cautious with foods during pregnancy just wondering if maybe you guys were told by your OBs to avoid cheeses/salads/any specific types of meat/fish/etc?

When we get pregnant or before TTC the OBs order quite a few blood tests for us and some of them check what antibodies we have.
I was told not to eat salads and red meat (when eating at restaurants) to avoid toxoplasmosis. I was told to wash salads very well and cook meat well done, when at home.

I'm English but live in France and the advice is pretty much the same in both countries as elsewhere. Main things are no pate, unpasteurised cheese or rind from pasteurised cheese, wash salads.... Take care but not ban lunch meats, seafood etc - I.e just use common sense! In France the occasional glass of wine is seen as fine but they are more focused on toxoplasmosis than other European countries so it's just ensuring you ask for meat to be well done if you eat out. Any specific questions just ask!


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Eggs need to be cooked right through. Don't forget that rhubarb and liquorice are off the menu too x

I have never heard not to have rhubarb in pregnancy. Weird

It has to do with toxins I believe (oxalic acid). A small amount won't hurt but would just keep it to a small amount.

Ok dumb follow up question ladies. I'm so confused about the cheese issue! Here is the US ALL cheese sold must be pasteurized (with the rare exception of a few dairies that sell direct to consumers in some states). So if I'm dining in Italy should I expect that cheese on my pasta or sandwich or on my cheese plate is safe or do I ask them? Will they look at me like I'm crazy if I ask them if something is pasteurized in Italian? LOL

Mamato3 - that's so cool, I had no idea a blood test could tell you what to avoid and eat! Wish we had that here! I love red meat so that would be tough for me, although it has been an aversion so far both pregnancies so maybe I will be ok avoiding it while over there.

Have a fantastic time!! :heart:

No in Europe cheese can be pasteurised or unpasteurised.... If you are unsure then the safest bet is to stick with hard cheeses. Soft cheeses are harder to know so either ask or avoid. Most of the commonly used cheese you will get in Italy restaurants will be Parmesan and mozzarella which is fine. Just relax and enjoy your trip!


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I never worried about anything, have never heard about the licorice or rhubarb thing and I'm sure I ate both while pregnant. Here in Germany I guess soft cheeses, and maybe raw meats? My doctors literally said nothing both pregnancies besides moderation and avoid alcohol. I really wouldn't worry and would just enjoy your trip :)

I was so intrigued by the licorice and rhubarb comment that I had to look it up. Rhubarb is dangerous if your eat the roots and leaves- which aren't used in cooking. Licorice is dangerous in large amounts (like a 100g a day) and since most Americans don't like the salty bitter taste of real licorice I can't imagine it really needs to be something to worry about. However I will remember it for my next pregnancy as I do love licorice although probably not enough to eat so much in one sitting :D

Thanks ladies! Very excited :)