Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is safe during pregnancy. Unless you have a peanut allergy, there is no reason to avoid it — current guidance suggests eating peanuts during pregnancy may even reduce the risk of peanut allergy in your child.
Peanut butter is safe to eat during pregnancy, and for most women it is a genuinely beneficial food to include. It is a good source of protein, healthy unsaturated fats, magnesium, niacin, and folate. Many pregnant women also find it a satisfying and convenient snack that helps manage hunger between meals. The concern about peanuts during pregnancy arose from older guidance that suggested women with a family history of allergies should avoid peanuts to reduce the risk of peanut allergy in their child. This advice has since been reversed. Current UK guidance from the NHS and NICE (the body that produces evidence-based clinical guidance) states that there is no evidence that eating peanuts during pregnancy increases the risk of peanut allergy in the baby. In fact, some research suggests early exposure to peanuts — including via the mother's diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding — may actually reduce allergy risk. The only exception is if you yourself have a peanut allergy, in which case you should avoid them as you normally would. Choose peanut butter without unnecessary added palm oil or high quantities of added salt — 'natural' peanut butters are a good option — but even standard varieties are safe.
What to be aware of
- Peanut butter is safe during pregnancy — there is no need to avoid it unless you have a peanut allergy yourself.
- Current evidence suggests eating peanuts during pregnancy does not increase allergy risk in the baby.
- Choose peanut butter with minimal added ingredients if possible — peanuts and a pinch of salt is ideal.
NHS guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition/