Can I eat honey during pregnancy?
Safe Yes
Yes. Honey is safe to eat in pregnancy. The warning about honey and botulism applies to babies under 1 year old, not to pregnant women. If you have gestational diabetes, count it as sugar.
Is honey safe in pregnancy?
Babies under 12 months shouldn't have honey, because their gut can't yet deal with botulism spores sometimes found in it. An adult's gut, including in pregnancy, deals with these spores, and they don't reach the baby. So honey is safe for you, whether raw or processed.
Benefits
- A natural sweetener
- Honey and warm water or lemon can soothe a sore throat
- May ease a cough when you can't take medicine
Risks to know about
- High in sugar, so limit it with gestational diabetes
- Not safe for your baby until they're 1 year old
How to eat it safely
- Use instead of sugar in tea or yoghurt, in small amounts
- Try a spoonful in warm water with lemon for a sore throat
- Buy from a reputable source
Questions about honey in pregnancy
Is raw honey safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Raw honey is considered safe for healthy pregnant women.
Can honey help with a cold in pregnancy?
Honey with warm water and lemon may soothe a sore throat and cough. See a doctor if you have a high temperature.
When can my baby have honey?
From 12 months old.
General information, not medical advice. If you have a condition such as gestational diabetes or an allergy, ask your doctor or midwife what's right for you.