Is Liver safe during pregnancy?
Very high in preformed vitamin A — NHS advises avoiding liver in pregnancy. Eggs and lean meat offer choline and iron.
What the sources say
Liver is extremely rich in preformed vitamin A: 3 oz of pan-fried beef liver has about 6,582 mcg RAE (NIH), more than twice the 3,000 mcg daily upper limit for adults. Too much preformed vitamin A in pregnancy can cause birth defects. NHS advises avoiding liver and liver products in pregnancy; ACOG lists liver as a source of choline, iron and B vitamins without a specific limit, so sources differ — we take the cautious view. While breastfeeding, count liver toward the same 3,000 mcg adult upper limit (NIH).
Common alternatives
Also listed as
beef liver, calf liver, calves liver, chicken liver, chicken livers, lamb liver, pork liver, liver and onions, organ meat, giblets
Sources
- NIH (ODS): Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
- NIH (ODS): Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Fact Sheet for Consumers
- NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy
- ACOG: Healthy Eating During Pregnancy
- MotherToBaby: Vitamin A (MotherToBaby Fact Sheets)
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.