Eating Eggs During Pregnancy - Safe or Unsafe?

Eggs during pregnancy - Benefits, Risks, Precaution, And How to consume

You need to eat a healthy and nutritious diet throughout your pregnancy for your baby's proper growth and development. You should be aware of what you eat while pregnant to ensure the well-being of your little one. Consuming a well-balanced diet during pregnancy is essential. Eggs contain essential nutrients such as protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals, making them a superfood. In this article, we'll talk about consuming eggs while pregnant, its benefits, side effects, and how safe it is for pregnant women. Read this article to learn all about having eggs during pregnancy.

Is it safe to eat eggs during pregnancy?

Eggs are safe to consume during pregnancy if they're well-cooked or pasteurized. Eggs are highly nutritious as they contain essential nutrients for the expectant mother and her baby. Eat boiled eggs during pregnancy, as this will remove harmful bacteria and salmonella that may be present in the egg. Avoid eating raw or unboiled eggs while pregnant.

(Also read: Chia Seeds During Pregnancy - Safe or Unsafe?)

Benefits of eating eggs during pregnancy

Eggs are packed with vital nutrients that are required for a healthy pregnancy. Some of the excellent benefits of consuming eggs during pregnancy are:

1. The Rich source of protein

The high protein content in eggs helps in the growth and development of the baby in the womb. Eggs contain all the crucial amino acids that are essential for the proper growth of the fetus.

2. Source of antioxidants

Eggs are a good source of antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants play a significant role in eye and vision development.

(Also read: Is it safe to eat Jackfruit during pregnancy?)

3. Fetal Brain Development

Eggs contain choline and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are crucial for the growth and development of the baby's brain. Eating eggs also helps to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

4. Good source of vitamins

Eggs contain vitamins such as vitamin A, B2, B12, D, E, and K. All of these vitamins plays a significant role in the proper and healthy development of the fetus.

5. Good calorie intake

Eggs help meet the calorie requirement essential for the expectant mother and her baby.

6. Regulate Blood Sugar

Eggs are low in carbohydrates and have a low glycemic index, making them a good protein source for pregnant women with gestational diabetes. In addition, consuming eggs may help to regulate your blood sugar levels.

(Also read: Can I use Olive Oil during pregnancy?)

7. Promote Fetal Development

Eggs are a good source of protein. You need to eat protein-rich food throughout your pregnancy to ensure the proper and healthy development of your little one in the womb. In addition, eggs contain vitamins, minerals, omega-3, and antioxidants. All of these play a significant role in the baby's healthy development.

8. Regulates Cholesterol Levels

Regular consumption of eggs helps in regulating cholesterol levels in the body. But if you've cholesterol issues, seek your doctor's approval before adding eggs to your pregnancy diet.

How many eggs a pregnant woman can eat in a day?

The daily intake of eggs depends on your cholesterol levels. Pregnant women with high cholesterol levels should stick to egg whites instead of egg yolks, as they can cause complications. Pregnant women with normal cholesterol levels can consume one to two eggs. Speak to your doctor to know the right amount of eggs to consume during pregnancy.

(Also read: Tips to reduce post-pregnancy belly fat)

Risks of eating eggs during pregnancy

Although eggs are nutritious and beneficial to consume during pregnancy. But some risks are associated with consuming eggs, especially if you don't consume them properly. The risks of consuming eggs during pregnancy are:

1. Allergic Reactions

Some pregnant women can cause allergies like rashes and hives after consuming eggs.

2. Salmonella Poisoning

Raw or uncooked eggs may have salmonella bacteria present in them. Salmonella is a harmful disease-causing bacteria that can cause food poisoning and lead to other problems such as vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, high fever, diarrhea, or dehydration. These symptoms can lead to miscarriage or premature labor in some serious cases.

3. Other complications

If you've high cholesterol levels, avoiding egg yolk during pregnancy is better as its consumption can cause problems. Instead, you can stick to egg whites.

Precautions to be taken while eating eggs during pregnancy

Follow these tips while consuming eggs during pregnancy:  

• Check the best before or expiry date on the carton before buying eggs. Avoid eggs with cracked or damaged shells.
  

• Avoid eating raw, undercooked, or semi-boiled eggs.
  

• Consume well-cooked or hard-boiled eggs, as this will kill harmful bacteria called salmonella that can lead to food poisoning.
  

• Don't consume foul-smelling eggs.
  

• If you prefer fried eggs, try to fry them from both sides.
  

• Consume boiled or cooked eggs within two hours.
  

• Avoid consuming products that are made up of raw eggs, such as mayonnaise, ice cream, sorbet, etc.
  

• If you've high cholesterol, then it's better to avoid consuming egg yolks.

(Also read: Is it safe to eat Garlic during pregnancy?)

How to store eggs properly?

• Keep eggs in the refrigerator to lower the chances of spoilage.

• Store eggs in a separate tray. Refrain from placing them with other food items.
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can pregnant women eat eggs?

Yes, pregnant women can eat eggs. Eggs are safe to consume while pregnant if they're well-cooked or pasteurized.

2. How to consume eggs during pregnancy?

Prefer hard-boiled or cooked eggs during pregnancy. Don't consume raw, half-boiled, or undercooked eggs, as they can increase the risk of salmonella infection that can cause food poisoning.

3. Is it healthy to eat eggs while pregnant?

Yes, eggs are packed with vital nutrients, rich in protein and antioxidants. They are often considered a superfood. You can consume eggs during pregnancy but make sure that the eggs should be well cooked or hard-boiled.

(Also read: Cauliflower benefits during pregnancy)

4. Can I eat eggs during pregnancy?

Eating eggs during pregnancy is highly beneficial for the expectant mother and her baby, as they contain crucial nutrients for the fetus's healthy growth and development.

5. Is it good to eat eggs during pregnancy?

Consuming eggs while pregnant is suitable for the expectant mother and her growing baby in the womb.

6. Is it harmful to eat eggs during pregnancy?

No, eggs don't cause any harm to you or your baby if you consume them with safety measures. Pregnant women who're overweight, obese, or have high cholesterol levels should stick to egg white instead of egg yolks.

7. Can a pregnant woman eat eggs?

Eggs are packed with essential nutrients and are easy to prepare. Eggs are safe to consume during pregnancy but make sure eggs are hard-boiled or well-cooked. Don't consume raw or undercooked eggs during pregnancy.

8. How many eggs should a pregnant woman eat per day?

Pregnant women with normal cholesterol levels can eat 1 to 2 hard-boiled eggs daily. You can consult your doctor to know the right amount of safe eggs to consume during pregnancy.

(Also read: Spring onions during pregnancy)

9. What happens if I eat raw eggs during pregnancy?

Raw or undercooked eggs may contain a harmful bacteria called salmonella that can lead to food poisoning. In addition, it can cause preterm labor or even miscarriage in some serious cases. Therefore, always consume fully cooked or hard-boiled eggs while pregnant.

10. Can you eat fried eggs while pregnant?

If you want to eat fried eggs while pregnant, make sure to fry them properly from both sides.

11. Is egg yolk good for pregnancy?

Yes, egg yolks are good to consume during pregnancy as they contain choline which is crucial for a baby's brain development. But pregnant women with high cholesterol levels are advised to avoid eating egg yolks.

12. Can I eat mayonnaise while pregnant?

If mayonnaise is made up of pasteurized eggs, it's safe to consume, but if it is made up of raw eggs, then it's better to avoid them.

(Also read: Side effects of sweet potatoes during pregnancy)

13. Are soft boiled eggs ok during pregnancy?

To be on the safer side, consume hard-boiled eggs during pregnancy. Boiling them will kill the harmful salmonella bacteria and reduce the risk of salmonella poisoning.

14. Why are raw eggs bad during pregnancy?

Raw eggs may contain harmful disease-causing bacteria called salmonella that can cause salmonella poisoning and can lead to complications such as vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, headache, or abdominal pain. In addition, in some serious cases, it can cause miscarriage or preterm labor. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to consume well-cooked or hard-boiled eggs during their pregnancy.


Eggs are a good source of protein that provides amino acids and many other essential nutrients crucial for a healthy pregnancy. Seek your doctor's approval and add this superfood to your pregnancy diet to get all the essential nutrients. Have a happy, safe, and healthy pregnancy.

Also, read other 'pregnancy-related' articles:

• 12 bad habits to avoid during pregnancy

• Eating Peanuts (Groundnuts) During Pregnancy - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Side Effects And Is It Safe To Eat

• Consuming Jaggery During Pregnancy - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Side Effects, Is It Safe To Eat

• Eating Nuts During Pregnancy - Health Benefits, Side Effects, Is It Safe & When To Avoid Them

• Eating Walnuts During Pregnancy - Nutritional Benefits, Health Benefits, Risks, and Side effects

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