Dairy & Eggs

An important source of calcium and protein, but some products should be avoided.

Dairy products and eggs are valuable sources of calcium, protein, vitamin D, and iodine — all nutrients that support your baby's bone, muscle, and brain development. Most dairy products are completely safe during pregnancy. Hard cheeses, pasteurised soft cheeses, pasteurised milk, yogurt, and eggs are all fine to eat. The main things to avoid are soft mould-ripened cheeses and soft blue cheeses, because their high moisture content allows Listeria to survive. Unpasteurised milk and products made from it should also be avoided. The good news is that these cheeses become safe if cooked until piping hot throughout — so a baked soft cheese or a hot pasta sauce with melted blue cheese is perfectly fine. See the individual cheese pages below for guidance on your specific favourite.

Actimel & Probiotic Yogurt Drinks Safe to eat Blue Cheese Eat with caution Brie Avoid during pregnancy Burrata Safe to eat Butter Safe to eat Buttermilk Safe to eat Camembert Avoid during pregnancy Cream Cheese Safe to eat Crème Fraîche Safe to eat Eggs Safe to eat Feta Eat with caution Goat's Cheese Eat with caution Gorgonzola Avoid during pregnancy Halloumi Safe to eat Hard Cheese Safe to eat Kefir Safe to eat Mascarpone Eat with caution Mozzarella Safe to eat Paneer Safe to eat Parmesan Safe to eat Pecorino Safe to eat Plant Milks (Oat, Soy & Almond) Safe to eat Ricotta Safe to eat Soft & Mould-Ripened Cheese Avoid during pregnancy Soft-Serve Ice Cream Eat with caution Sour Cream Safe to eat Stilton & Hard Blue Cheese Safe to eat Unpasteurised Milk Avoid during pregnancy Yogurt Safe to eat