Can I Eat?

Pregnancy Food Guide

Pregnancy Food Guide

Not medicinally

Do not consume this in medicinal quantities - e.g. in a herbal remedy, as a tea/drink, as a supplement, or as an oil or tincture.

Source

Allspice (Pimenta)

Not recommended in medicinal quantities.
Safe
Not medicinally

Angelica

Stimulates menstruation.
Source
Unsafe
Not medicinally

Anise (Aniseed)

Can have an adverse reaction due to 'oestrogen activity', and if you have been recommended against birth control pills by a doctor you should avoid this.
Source
Careful
Not medicinally

Aonori (Green Laver)

Wash if fresh. Be aware of other ingredients if used in bread or as a snack.
Safe
Not medicinally

Apple

Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Apricot

Safe
Not medicinally

Asparagus

Safe
Not medicinally

Aubergine (Eggplant)

Safe
Not medicinally

Avocado Leaf

Toxic to many animals and can cause problems with lactation in animals. Studies are inconclusive on humans.
Source
Careful
Not medicinally

Basil

Excessive quantities can cause a build up of toxic oils. In food is fine, but should not be consumed in concentrated or medicinal forms.

Source
Safe
Not too much Not medicinally

Bay Leaf

Reportedly aids flow of breast milk but historically used as an abortifacient (substance to induce abortions) in large quantities.

Source
Careful
Not too much Not medicinally

Beetroot

Safe
Not medicinally

Bell Pepper

Safe
Not medicinally

Black Cardamom

Safe
Not medicinally

Black Mustard

The seeds are often used in dishes as a spice.

Source
Safe
Not medicinally Not too much

Blackberry

Safe
Not medicinally

Blackcurrant

Safe
Not medicinally

Blueberry

Safe
Not medicinally

Borage

Not safe in oil or supplement form.
Careful
Not medicinally

Broccoli

Safe
Not medicinally

Broccolini

Safe
Not medicinally

Brussels Sprouts

Always wash thoroughly.

Safe
Not medicinally

Cabbage

Safe
Not medicinally

Capers

Safe
Not medicinally

Caraway

In large quantities it can cause uterine contractions.

Source
Careful
Not too much Not medicinally

Carob

Carob comes in many forms, including chips, bars, supplements, and syrups.

Source
Careful
Not medicinally

Carrot

Wash thoroughly if using the skin.
Safe
Not medicinally

Cauliflower

Safe
Not medicinally

Cayenne Pepper

If you suffer from acute heartburn brought on by pregnancy cayenne may make it worse.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Celeriac

Safe
Not medicinally

Celery

Safe
Not medicinally

Cherry

Safe
Not medicinally

Chervil

Safe
Not medicinally

Chili (Chilli, Chile)

Reported to cause severe heartburn and nausea if the peppers are especially hot. Safe whole or as a seasoning/spice.
Safe
Not medicinally

Chinese Artichoke

Safe
Not medicinally

Chinese Cinnamon (Chinese Cassia)

Safe
Not medicinally

Chives

Safe
Not medicinally

Cicely

Always wash thoroughly.

Strong infusions have been traditionally used to induce labour.

Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Cinnamon

Can lead to uterine contractions in high quantities (in food should be fine).
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Clary Sage

Has been known to stimulate labour in oil form.
Source
Careful
Not medicinally

Clove

Can lead to uterine contractions in concentrated doses.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Collard Greens

Safe
Not medicinally

Coriander (Cilantro)

Safe
Not medicinally

Courgette (Zucchini)

Safe
Not medicinally

Cranberry

Safe
Not medicinally

Cress

Wash carefully if cress cut direct from packet containing soil due to contaminants that might be present.
Careful
Not medicinally

Cuban Oregano

Like true oregano, this should not be consumed as a tea or oil.
Safe
Not medicinally

Cucumber

Safe
Not medicinally

Cumin

Reported to lead to uterine contractions in high doses.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Dill

Safe
Not medicinally

Dulse

Safe
Not medicinally

Elderflower

Safe
Not medicinally

Endive

Safe
Not medicinally

Fennel

Safe
Not medicinally

Fenugreek

Has been used to induce labour and is considered to be an emmenagogue.

Source
Careful
Not medicinally Not too much

Fiddlehead Ferns

Safe
Not medicinally

Fig

Safe
Not medicinally

Filé Powder

Filé Powder (also known as Filé Gumbo) is made from sassafras leaves, which are toxic in medicinal quantities.
Safe
Not medicinally

Galangal

Safe
Not medicinally

Garlic Chives

Safe
Not medicinally

Golpar (Hogweed)

Reported to have abortifacient qualities. The juice/sap from the plant is toxic and can cause third-degree burns in severe cases.
Unsafe
Not medicinally

Gooseberry

Safe
Not medicinally

Grape

Safe
Not medicinally

Grape/Vine Leaves

Safe
Not medicinally

Green Beans (French Beans)

Safe
Not medicinally

Herbal Tea

There's little information on the safety of herbal and green teas in pregnancy, so it's best to drink them in moderation.

Green tea contains caffeine.

Source
Careful
Not too much Not medicinally Caffeine

Hyssop

Okay in food, unsafe as a tea. Large quantities can reportedly cause miscarriage.
Source
Careful
Not medicinally

Indian Bay Leaf

Safe
Not medicinally

Jasmine

Unsafe as a tea or oil as may cause contractions.
Source
Careful
Not medicinally

Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunchoke)

Safe
Not medicinally

Kale

Safe
Not medicinally

Kiwi

Safe
Not medicinally

Kohlrabi

Safe
Not medicinally

Lamb's Lettuce

Safe
Not medicinally

Leek

Safe
Not medicinally

Lemon Basil

Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Lemon Thyme

Safe
Not medicinally

Lemongrass

Safe in food, unsafe in medicinal or concentrated forms.

Source
Careful
Not medicinally Not too much

Lettuce

Safe
Not medicinally

Long Coriander (Culantro)

Always wash thoroughly.

Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Lotus Root

Safe
Not medicinally

Mace

Nutmeg and mace were thought to have abortifacient qualities, but it is safe in culinary quantities.
Source
Careful
Not medicinally

Marjoram

High quantities can reportedly cause womb contractions, miscarriage, or premature labour.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Marrow

Safe
Not medicinally

Mexican Oregano

Like true oregano, this should not be consumed as a tea or oil.
Safe
Not medicinally

Mizuna

Safe
Not medicinally

Mulukhiyah

Safe
Not medicinally

Napa Cabbage

Safe
Not medicinally

Nori (Laver)

Wash if fresh. Be aware of other ingredients if used in bread or as a snack.
Safe
Not medicinally

Nutmeg

Nutmeg was thought to have abortifacient qualities, but it is safe in culinary quantities.
Source
Careful
Not medicinally

Okra

Safe
Not medicinally

Oregano

The oil or tea form of oregano are considered uterine stimulants.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Parsley

High doses of parsley can stimulate the uterus and even cause miscarriage.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Parsnip

Wash thoroughly if using the skin.
Safe
Not medicinally

Pea

Wash carefully if using the outer pod.
Safe
Not medicinally

Peach

Safe
Not medicinally

Pear

Safe
Not medicinally

Peppercorns

All varieties of peppercorn should be safe when used in food. High quantities are not recommended due to reported emmenagogue qualities.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Physalis (Cape Gooseberry)

Safe
Not medicinally

Plum

Safe
Not medicinally

Prickly Pear Cactus

Safe
Not medicinally

Pumpkin

Safe
Not medicinally

Quince

Safe
Not medicinally

Radicchio

Safe
Not medicinally

Radish

Always wash thoroughly.

Wash carefully and do not use radish sprouts - these can contain bacteria which can't be removed through washing.
Source
Careful
Not medicinally

Rapeseed

Safe
Not medicinally

Rapini (Broccoli Raab)

Safe
Not medicinally

Raspberry

Safe
Not medicinally

Redcurrant

Safe
Not medicinally

Rocket (Arugula)

Safe
Not medicinally

Rosemary

Has diuretic properties in high doses. Some people believe it has emmenagogue properties as well.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Runner Beans

Safe
Not medicinally

Saffron

In high doses it can act as a uterine stimulant.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Sage

Concentrated doses (such as a tea or oil) can lead to abdominal pain.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Saigon Cinnamon

Safe
Not medicinally

Salsify

Safe
Not medicinally

Samphire

Safe
Not medicinally

Sea Kale

Safe
Not medicinally

Shiso

Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Snow Peas (Mangetout)

Safe
Not medicinally

Sorrel

Contains oxalic acid, which is harmful in large quantities.

Careful
Not medicinally Not too much

Soybeans

Safe
Not medicinally

Spinach

Safe
Not medicinally

Spring Onion (Green Onion, Scallion)

Safe
Not medicinally

Squash

Safe
Not medicinally

Star Anise

Large quantities are not recommended, but in food or drink (such as chai) it is safe.
Safe
Not medicinally

Strawberry

Safe
Not medicinally

Sugar Snap Peas (Mangetout)

Safe
Not medicinally

Swede (Rutabaga, Neep)

Safe
Not medicinally

Swiss Chard

Safe
Not medicinally

Taro (Arbi)

Safe
Not medicinally

Tarragon

Safe
Not medicinally

Thai Basil

Safe
Not medicinally

Thyme

Wild Thyme is also safe.
Safe
Not medicinally

Tomato

Safe
Not medicinally

Turmeric

Turmeric supplements are not recommended.
Source
Safe
Not medicinally

Turnip

Safe
Not medicinally

Wakame

Safe
Not medicinally

Wasabi

Wasabi in all forms is considered safe. Wash thoroughly if using the root whole.
Safe
Not medicinally

Watercress

Safe
Not medicinally

Welsh Onion

Safe
Not medicinally

Winter Melon (Wax Gourd)

Safe
Not medicinally

Wintergreen

Can lead to kidney issues in high doses.
Source
Careful
Not medicinally

Yam

Safe
Not medicinally