Can I Eat Ice Cream When Pregnant?

Can you eat ice cream when pregnant? The short answer: yes — shop-bought ice cream is safe to eat during pregnancy. It is made with pasteurised dairy and commercially produced eggs, so the main food safety risks do not apply. You can enjoy it throughout your pregnancy.

Is Ice Cream Safe in Pregnancy?

• Raw egg — traditional ice cream recipes can use raw egg yolks in a custard base. In the UK, all commercially produced ice cream uses pasteurised eggs or pasteurised liquid egg, which eliminates the salmonella risk associated with raw egg.
• Listeria — listeria bacteria can survive at cold temperatures, including in some frozen foods. However, factory-produced ice cream sold in sealed containers from reputable UK brands is subject to food safety standards that make listeria contamination extremely unlikely.

The ice cream to be more cautious with is soft-serve (Mr Whippy-style) ice cream from vans and machines. Soft-serve machines can occasionally harbour listeria if not cleaned and maintained properly. The NHS advises that pregnant women may wish to avoid soft-serve ice cream for this reason. That said, most reputable outlets maintain their machines well, and the risk is low rather than certain — this is a precautionary recommendation rather than an absolute rule.

NHS Guidance on Ice Cream in Pregnancy

• Shop-bought ice cream — safe throughout pregnancy. This includes tubs, bars, lollies, and pre-packaged cones.
• Soft-serve / whippy ice cream — the NHS suggests caution due to the potential for listeria in soft-serve machines, though this is a precautionary note rather than a firm prohibition.
• Homemade ice cream — if made with raw egg, this should be avoided or made using pasteurised egg instead.

If you are eating ice cream regularly, bear in mind that it can be high in sugar and saturated fat. This is not a safety concern, but it is worth keeping in mind as part of a balanced diet during pregnancy.

What Types of Ice Cream Are Safe?

• Supermarket tubs (dairy ice cream) — safe. Pasteurised dairy and eggs are used in UK commercial production.
• Ice cream bars and lollies — safe. Factory sealed and pasteurised.
• Gelato from a tub — safe if from a reputable outlet with good hygiene practices.
• Sorbet and fruit lollies — safe, and dairy-free if that is relevant to you.
• Soft-serve from machines — proceed with your own judgement. Many women eat it without issue; the NHS suggests caution due to occasional listeria risk if machines are poorly maintained.
• Homemade ice cream with raw egg — avoid, or make with pasteurised egg.

Pregnancy cravings and ice cream

Ice cream cravings are extremely common in pregnancy. If you find yourself reaching for it regularly, that is understandable — and the good news is that shop-bought ice cream is a safe choice. If you are concerned about sugar intake, lower-sugar options such as fruit sorbets or plain frozen yogurt are alternatives. However, there is no need to cut out ice cream entirely; enjoying it in moderation as part of a varied diet is perfectly reasonable.

Keeping ice cream safe at home

• Store ice cream at a consistent freezer temperature and avoid repeated thawing and refreezing.
• Do not eat ice cream that has been left out to melt and then refrozen — this increases bacterial risk.
• Check best-before dates on sealed packaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

The NHS advises caution with soft-serve ice cream because the machines used can occasionally harbour listeria if not properly cleaned. The risk is low and many pregnant women eat it without any problem, but it is a reasonable precaution to avoid it if you want to minimise risk. Shop-bought tub ice cream is the safer alternative.

Can I eat ice cream with chocolate or nuts in pregnancy?

Yes. Chocolate ice cream, nutty flavours, and mix-ins are all safe as long as you do not have a nut allergy. Peanuts and tree nuts are not restricted in pregnancy (unless you are allergic). Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate are all safe in moderation.

Is ice cream safe in the first trimester?

Yes, the same guidance applies throughout all three trimesters. Shop-bought ice cream is safe from early pregnancy onwards. If nausea is making dairy unappealing in the first trimester, fruit sorbets or lollies can be a refreshing and safe alternative.

Always speak to your midwife or GP if you have specific concerns about your diet during pregnancy.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Related articles:

• Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Vitamins
• Healthy Diet in Pregnancy