Early Pregnancy: Dietary Taboos and Precautions for Pregnant Women During pregnancy, pregnant women need to pay attention to their eating habits, avoid foods that are harmful to the fetus, and pay attention to a balanced diet. Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, it is crucial for embryonic development. There are some foods that should be avoided in early pregnancy to protect the development of the embryo. Here are the foods you should avoid in early pregnancy. Raw fish, raw meat and caviar contain parasites and bacteria that can easily cause threats to the fetus.