Can You Eat Eggs While Pregnant?
Yes — eggs are safe and nutritious; cook them until set, or use pasteurised/lion-marked eggs if you want them runny.
The full answer
Eggs are a great, affordable source of protein and choline in pregnancy. The only concern is salmonella from raw or runny egg, and cooking eggs until both the white and yolk are firm removes that risk entirely. If you love runny yolks or dishes with lightly cooked egg — soft-boiled, poached, homemade mayonnaise, hollandaise, mousse — use pasteurised eggs or, in the UK, hen eggs with the British Lion stamp or from the Laid in Britain scheme, which the NHS says can be eaten runny in pregnancy. Duck, goose and quail eggs should always be well cooked. Without that assurance, stick to fully cooked eggs and avoid raw-egg homemade sauces. Scrambled, hard-boiled, or well-cooked fried eggs are always a safe, nourishing choice.
How to eat eggs safely
- Cook until the white and yolk are firm to be sure
- For runny/lightly cooked egg, use pasteurised eggs, or UK British Lion or Laid in Britain hen eggs
- Avoid raw egg in homemade mayo/mousse unless it's pasteurised
When to avoid: Avoid runny or raw eggs unless they're pasteurised (or, in the UK, British Lion or Laid in Britain hen eggs), and homemade raw-egg sauces made with other eggs.
Eggs by trimester
| Stage | What changes |
|---|---|
| First trimester | Guidance on runny eggs differs meaningfully by country — some allow them where an assurance scheme covers salmonella control, while other guidance advises cooking eggs fully throughout pregnancy. |
| Second trimester | Unchanged. Worth knowing which guidance applies to you, since the answer genuinely differs rather than being a matter of caution levels. |
| Third trimester | Same position. Foods containing raw egg — homemade mayonnaise, mousse, tiramisu — are the practical thing to think about beyond breakfast. |
Common questions about eggs in pregnancy
Can I eat runny eggs while pregnant?
This genuinely depends on where you are. Some national guidance permits runny eggs from hens covered by a salmonella-control scheme; other guidance advises cooking eggs until both white and yolk are firm. Check which applies to you — this is one where a general answer would mislead.
What about foods made with raw egg?
Homemade mayonnaise, mousse, tiramisu and some dressings can contain raw egg. Shop-bought versions are usually made with pasteurised egg, which is why they're treated differently from homemade.
Are eggs worth eating in pregnancy?
Yes — they're a good source of protein and choline, which matters in pregnancy. The question is about preparation, not whether to include them.
The general rules on listeria, mercury, caffeine and alcohol are in our pregnancy safety guide, and you can track your pregnancy with the How Far Along Am I? calculator and the week-by-week guide.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you eat eggs while pregnant?
- Yes — eggs are safe and nutritious; cook them until set, or use pasteurised/lion-marked eggs if you want them runny. Eggs are a great, affordable source of protein and choline in pregnancy. The only concern is salmonella from raw or runny egg, and cooking eggs until both the white and yolk are firm removes that risk entirely. If you love runny yolks or dishes with lightly cooked egg — soft-boiled, poached, homemade mayonnaise, hollandaise, mousse — use pasteurised eggs or, in the UK, hen eggs with the British Lion stamp or from the Laid in Britain scheme, which the NHS says can be eaten runny in pregnancy. Duck, goose and quail eggs should always be well cooked. Without that assurance, stick to fully cooked eggs and avoid raw-egg homemade sauces. Scrambled, hard-boiled, or well-cooked fried eggs are always a safe, nourishing choice.
- Why is eggs considered safe in pregnancy?
- Eggs are a great, affordable source of protein and choline in pregnancy. The only concern is salmonella from raw or runny egg, and cooking eggs until both the white and yolk are firm removes that risk entirely. If you love runny yolks or dishes with lightly cooked egg — soft-boiled, poached, homemade mayonnaise, hollandaise, mousse — use pasteurised eggs or, in the UK, hen eggs with the British Lion stamp or from the Laid in Britain scheme, which the NHS says can be eaten runny in pregnancy. Duck, goose and quail eggs should always be well cooked. Without that assurance, stick to fully cooked eggs and avoid raw-egg homemade sauces. Scrambled, hard-boiled, or well-cooked fried eggs are always a safe, nourishing choice.
- When should I avoid eggs during pregnancy?
- Avoid runny or raw eggs unless they're pasteurised (or, in the UK, British Lion or Laid in Britain hen eggs), and homemade raw-egg sauces made with other eggs.
Sources
This answer was checked against the following public guidance. Advice can differ between countries; your midwife, doctor or pharmacist can apply it to you.