The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and of course, delicious food. But if you’re trying to conceive or are currently pregnant, navigating party platters, especially those delicious cheese boards can feel tricky. Which foods are safe? Which ones should you avoid?
We’ve got you covered with our guide to building a fertility and pregnancy-friendly Christmas platter so you can enjoy the festive season with confidence and peace of mind.
Firstly, we want to start this blog by saying, the information below is to help educate you on the current NSW Food Authority recommendations in pregnancy. Ultimately, the choice of what foods to include in your diet is entirely yours. Our goal is to empower you to make informed decisions that feel right for you.
We also recommend being mindful of these foods if you’re trying to conceive just in case you’re unknowingly pregnant. However, like we have said above, you don't need to completely avoid all of these foods and what you do decide to enjoy is totally up to you!
Foods to limit or avoid:
Some traditional platter ingredients can carry a small risk of contamination (like salmonella or listeria), but the good news is there are simple ways to enjoy your favourites safely. Here’s a quick guide to the platter items it’s recommended to approach with care, along with tips on how to prepare them so you can confidently include them in your spread:
Deli Meats (yes including that Christmas ham): Best to avoid UNLESS they’re freshly opened, cooked through, and still hot when eaten.
Raw Seafood & Meats: Steer clear of smoked salmon, sashimi, raw oysters etc - you can enjoy them cooked through and still warm
Ready-to-Eat Chilled Peeled Prawns: These can also contain listeria. Best to cook your own, fresh!
Soft Cheeses: Brie, camembert, ricotta, feta, bocconcini, and blue cheese are best to avoid UNLESS thoroughly cooked and served hot.
Pâté: Often made from liver which contains high levels of vitamin A, which can be harmful during pregnancy.
Hummus & Tahini: due to the risk of salmonella.
Rockmelon & Sprouts: Both have previously been sources of listeria contamination in the past so the current recommendation is to avoid
Delicious Foods You CAN Enjoy in your Fertility & Pregnancy-Friendly Christmas Platter
The good news? There are heaps of other safe and tasty options you can include on your cheese platter. Here are some of our favourite ideas:
Cheeses: Hard cheeses like cheddar, tasty cheese and other pasteurised options like cream cheese or cottage cheese are good choices. Just make sure they’re fresh and stored properly.
Crackers & Biscuits: Think grainy crackers, rice crackers, jatz, or even shapes or Tim Tams.
Yogurt-Based Dips & Pesto: Safe and delicious alternatives to hummus.
Veggies & Fruits: Fresh veggie sticks (like carrots or cucumbers) and seasonal fruits (berries, mango, peaches etc) make for yummy, healthy additions.
Other snacks: Chocolate, lollies, and chips are always crowd-pleasers.
Nuts & Trail Mix: A yummy option packed with healthy fats.
Food Safety Tips:
There are a few things we recommend to help keep your platter both safe and enjoyable:
Always ensure foods are stored correctly and served fresh.
Avoid anything that is usually stored in the fridge and has been sitting unrefrigerated for more than an hour
Wash all fresh produce thoroughly before serving.
If you’ve eaten any of the foods we recommend avoiding during pregnancy, try not to worry! The risk of becoming unwell is very small. Simply stay mindful of how you’re feeling, and if you notice any symptoms of food poisoning, be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider for advice and support.
For more tips and tricks for navigating the holiday season while pregnant or trying to conceive, check out our Instagram page or reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Wishing you a wonderful and stress-free festive season! 🎄🧀✨
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