Can I Eat Peanuts When Pregnant?
Yes — peanuts are safe to eat during pregnancy, and they're actually a nutritious choice. The only exception is if you have a diagnosed peanut allergy, in which case you should keep avoiding them for your own safety. Importantly, you do not need to avoid peanuts to protect your baby from developing an allergy.
Quick Answer
Peanuts in pregnancy: safe to enjoy — unless you personally have a peanut allergy. Eating peanuts will not increase your baby's chance of becoming allergic, and current NHS advice no longer recommends avoiding them.
The Old Advice Has Changed
Years ago (before around 2009), pregnant women were sometimes told to avoid peanuts in the hope of lowering their baby's risk of developing a peanut allergy. That guidance has since been **withdrawn**. Studies found no good evidence that eating peanuts in pregnancy causes peanut allergy in children — and some research suggests mums who eat peanuts may even have children with a slightly *lower* risk.The NHS now advises that you can eat peanuts, or foods containing peanuts such as peanut butter, as part of a healthy balanced diet during pregnancy — unless you're allergic to them or a health professional has specifically told you not to.
Why Peanuts Are a Good Choice
Peanuts (technically a legume rather than a true tree nut) are a genuinely useful pregnancy food. They provide:- Protein — supports your baby's growth and your own changing body
- Healthy unsaturated fats
- Folate — a B vitamin that supports your baby's early development
- Fibre, magnesium and vitamin E
A small handful of peanuts, or peanut butter on wholemeal toast, makes a satisfying, nutrient-dense snack that can help keep your energy steady between meals.
How to Enjoy Peanuts Safely
- Choose plain, unsalted peanuts or natural peanut butter where you can, to limit added salt and sugar. - Check the label on peanut butter if you're watching salt or sugar. - Store them properly and check use-by dates, as with any food. - If you have a known peanut allergy, keep avoiding peanuts and all products containing them, and carry any prescribed medication as usual.Frequently Asked Questions
### Will eating peanuts in pregnancy give my baby a peanut allergy?No. Current evidence does not support this, which is why the old "avoid peanuts" advice was dropped. If there's a strong family history of allergy and you're worried, talk it through with your midwife or GP.
Can I eat peanut butter when pregnant?
Yes. Peanut butter is fine in pregnancy unless you're allergic. Choose versions without unnecessary added salt or sugar where possible, and enjoy it as part of a varied diet.
I have a peanut allergy — what should I do?
Continue to avoid peanuts and foods containing them, read labels carefully, and carry any prescribed allergy medication (such as an adrenaline auto-injector). Ask your GP if your allergy care needs reviewing during pregnancy.
For personal advice — especially if you have any allergy — speak to your midwife or GP.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Last reviewed: June 2026
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