Is Chocolate & cocoa safe during pregnancy?
Fine in normal amounts — chocolate adds a little caffeine (about 10–30 mg per bar) to your daily total.
PregnancyGenerally safe
BreastfeedingGenerally safe
EvidenceModerate
What the sources say
MotherToBaby lists about 10 mg caffeine in a milk chocolate bar and 30 mg in a dark chocolate bar; NHS lists under 10 mg per 50 g of milk chocolate and under 25 mg per 50 g of dark. ACOG reminds people to count chocolate toward the under-200 mg/day pregnancy caffeine limit, and CDC lists it as a caffeine source while breastfeeding.
Also listed as
chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, hot chocolate, cocoa, hot cocoa, chocolate bar, cacao, coffee ice cream
Sources
- MotherToBaby: Caffeine
- NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy
- ACOG: How much coffee can I drink while I'm pregnant?
- CDC: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.