Can I Eat Pizza in Pregnancy? Complete Guide
Pizza is generally fine to eat during pregnancy — the key is knowing which toppings are safe and making sure it's cooked properly. A few simple checks mean you don't have to give up one of the easiest comfort foods around.
What makes pizza safe
The main food-safety concerns in pregnancy are listeria (found in some soft cheeses and cold cured meats) and toxoplasmosis or salmonella (linked to undercooked meat and raw egg). A standard cooked pizza, eaten hot from the oven with cheese fully melted and bubbling, deals with most of these risks because the heat kills off harmful bacteria in the cheese and any meat toppings.
Cheese toppings to choose and avoid
- Safe when cooked: mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan and other hard or firm cheeses — these are the standard pizza cheeses and are fine whether from a takeaway or homemade
- Avoid: soft mould-ripened cheeses like brie or camembert, and soft blue cheeses, unless they've been cooked until piping hot all the way through (which is unusual on a pizza)
- Ricotta and other soft cheeses are generally fine if they're made from pasteurised milk and the pizza is cooked hot
Meat and other toppings
- Safe when cooked on the pizza: pepperoni, ham, chicken, bacon and minced meat, as long as they've been cooked through in the oven
- Avoid: cold cured or cured-but-not-cooked meats added after baking, such as prosciutto or salami served uncooked on top, and any topping made with raw or lightly cooked egg
- Vegetable toppings, tomato-based sauces and herbs are all fine
Ordering and reheating tips
- If ordering a takeaway, check whether any toppings are added after cooking (some restaurants finish pizzas with cold cured meats or soft cheese) and ask for these to be left off or swapped
- When reheating leftover pizza, make sure it's heated right through until steaming hot, not just warmed on the surface
- If you're unsure what a particular cheese or topping is, it's simplest to stick with classic combinations like margherita, pepperoni, or a vegetable pizza
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat pizza when pregnant?
Yes, pizza is generally safe in pregnancy as long as it's cooked properly and the toppings are pregnancy-safe. Stick to hard cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar, and make sure any meat toppings are cooked through in the oven rather than added cold afterwards. A standard hot, freshly baked pizza ticks these boxes without any special preparation.
Can I eat pepperoni pizza in pregnancy?
Yes, as long as the pepperoni is cooked on the pizza rather than added raw or cold afterwards. Oven-baked pepperoni pizza from a restaurant or shop is treated the same as any other cooked meat topping and is considered safe.
What pizza toppings should I avoid in pregnancy?
Avoid pizzas topped with soft mould-ripened cheese such as brie or camembert unless cooked until piping hot, and avoid cold cured meats like salami or prosciutto added after baking rather than cooked in the oven. Raw egg-based toppings or sauces should also be avoided. When in doubt, a classic margherita or a pizza with cooked meat and vegetables is a safe, simple choice.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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