By Stephen Matthews Health Editor For Mailonline
Published: 02:00 BST, 25 May 2019 | Updated: 02:00 BST, 25 May 2019
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Mothers-to-be should avoid eating snacks that have been doused in vegetable oil, experts have once again warned.
Scientists fear linoleic acid, an omega-6 fat, could harm babies in the womb after they discovered it causes internal swelling in tests on rats.
They warned consuming too much of it may lead to 'pregnancy complications and poor development of babies'.
Vegetable oil, often used to cook pizzas, potato-based snacks and bread, is one of the biggest sources of linoleic acid.
NHS guidance states mothers-to-be should have only small amounts of foods rich in unsaturated fat, such as vegetable oils.
Vegetable oil, often used for cooking pizzas, potato-based snacks and bread, is one of the biggest sources of linoleic acid
It also urges them to steer clear of fatty foods such as pizza and chips – but not because they contain linoleic acid.
Researchers based at Griffith University, Brisbane, gave rats a diet high in linoleic acid for 10 weeks.
They ate the equivalent of three times more than they should.
The American Heart Association says adults should consume between 100 and 200 calories from linoleic acid each day.
Linoleic acid is the predominant polyunsaturated fatty acid in the Western diet, according to researchers at Harvard University.
Pregnancy health charity Tommy's gives a list of actions which would have a positive impact on the health of a pregnancy and the future child if done before the mother stops contraception.
Take folic acid
Taking 400mcg of folic acid daily from two months before stopping contraception can help protect babies from developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Quit smoking
Smoking during pregnancy causes 2,200 premature births, 5,000 miscarriages and 300 perinatal deaths per year in the UK.
Be a healthy weight
Being overweight before and during pregnancy increases the risk of potentially dangerous conditions such as pre-eclampsia and diabetes.
Eat healthy and be active
A healthy mother is more likely to give birth to a healthy baby, and both will help maintain a safe body weight.
Speak to your GP if you are taking medication
Some medications may affect pregnancy, and it is best to check with a GP as
