Peanuts in Pregnancy: The Advice That Changed

Peanuts in pregnancy: how to think about it

Guidance on peanuts in pregnancy changed. UK advice previously suggested that pregnant people with a family history of allergy might avoid peanuts, on the theory that this would reduce the chance of the child developing a peanut allergy. That advice was withdrawn after review found the evidence did not support it, and there was concern that avoidance might not help and could unnecessarily restrict diet. Current NHS guidance says you can eat peanuts or food containing peanuts during pregnancy unless you are allergic to them or a health professional advises otherwise. ACOG nutrition guidance similarly treats nuts as part of a healthy pregnancy diet. The one situation that has not changed is an existing peanut allergy, which needs the same strict avoidance in pregnancy as at any other time.

Working through a longer grocery list? The Pregnancy Food Safety Hub gathers all 50 SafeMama food and drink guides, grouped by pasteurization, cooking temperature and mercury questions.

Peanuts: safer choices

• Eating peanuts and peanut products as part of a normal diet if you are not allergic to them. NHS guidance is explicit that this is fine.
• Treating peanuts as a useful source of protein and healthy fats, which fits general pregnancy nutrition advice.
• Choosing plain or lightly salted rather than heavily salted products, in line with general advice on salt intake.
• Continuing to carry and use your prescribed treatment if you have a diagnosed peanut allergy, and telling your maternity team about it.

Peanuts: what to avoid or double-check

• Avoid peanuts entirely if you have a peanut allergy, exactly as you would outside pregnancy. Pregnancy does not change an existing allergy.
• Do not avoid peanuts in the hope of preventing allergy in your baby. That advice was withdrawn because the evidence did not support it.
• Avoid unpasteurised or homemade peanut products where hygiene and storage are unclear, which is a general food-safety point rather than a peanut-specific one.
• Do not self-diagnose a new allergy in pregnancy. If you react to something, get it assessed rather than cutting out food groups.

How SafeMama helps

SafeMama can flag peanut and tree nut allergens on ingredient lists, including may contain wording and less obvious sources such as sauces, snack bars and baked goods, which matters if you have an allergy.

Open the SafeMama app, scan the barcode or search the ingredient, then use the result as a starting point for a conversation with your healthcare provider.

Sources

• NHS foods to avoid in pregnancy
• ACOG nutrition during pregnancy
• NHS food allergy