The foods to avoid during pregnancy mainly include those that carry a risk of infection or could harm the baby due to toxins or contamination. Key foods to avoid are:

• Unpasteurized dairy products and soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, blue cheese, and ricotta because they can contain listeria bacteria harmful to the baby.
• Raw or undercooked eggs and foods made with them like homemade mayonnaise or cake batters.
• Raw or undercooked meat and cold cured meats like salami, chorizo, and pepperoni due to risk of bacteria or parasites.
• High mercury fish such as shark, swordfish, marlin, bigeye tuna, king mackerel, and tilefish since mercury can harm the baby's developing nervous system.
• Raw fish or shellfish including sushi.
• Liver and liver products like pâté or liver sausage.
• Soft-serve ice cream.
• Processed and highly processed foods which are low in nutrients and high in unhealthy fats and sugars.
• Unwashed fruits, vegetables, and sprouts to avoid harmful bacteria.
• Alcohol and limit caffeine consumption.

Basic food safety during pregnancy includes washing hands and surfaces thoroughly, cooking foods to safe temperatures, avoiding deli counters where hygiene varies, and not consuming foods past their expiration dates.