Is Peanuts, tree nuts & other allergenic foods safe during pregnancy?
No need to avoid peanuts or other allergens to prevent baby's allergies — eat them unless you're allergic yourself.
What the sources say
NHS says peanuts and other nuts are safe to eat in pregnancy unless you're allergic or advised otherwise. A 2023 peer-reviewed review found no role for avoiding allergens during pregnancy or breastfeeding to prevent infant food allergy, with emerging evidence that eating peanut while breastfeeding plus early peanut introduction may help. NIH (NIAID) guidelines focus on introducing peanut foods to infants early, as early as 4–6 months for high-risk babies after checking with their provider.
Also listed as
peanuts, peanut butter, peanut, tree nuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, nuts, food allergens, allergenic foods, avoiding allergens in pregnancy
Sources
- NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy
- Peer-reviewed review (Lancet Child Adolesc Health, 2023): Prevention of food allergy in infancy: maternal interventions during pregnancy and lactation
- NIH (NIAID): Addendum Guidelines for the Prevention of Peanut Allergy in the United States
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.