Eggs are good to eat in pregnancy

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently advised pregnant women and breastfeeding mums to eat eggs. That’s because eggs contain high levels of a nutrient called choline that is vital for helping a baby’s nervous system develop in the womb. The EFSA has set new guidelines on how much choline we need to stay healthy. It recommends that pregnant women consume 480mg of choline daily and breastfeeding women 520mg (a medium sized egg contains 144mg.)

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) tweeted on October 3:

Eggs are not the only source of choline and there are plenty of other ways to get your recommended daily intake.

Our midwife Anna explains:

“It is good news to hear that choline can be sourced from eggs and is so important for baby's development. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding then you should make sure you include choline in your diet. If you are vegan, vegetarian or allergic to eggs, then yoghurt, beans (pinto, edamame), quinoa, tofu, cruciferous veg, seeds and potatoes are also all good sources of choline.”

Eggs are now considered safe to eat raw or runny in pregnancy as long as they carry the Red Lion mark. So however you like your eggs, it's safe and healthy to go ahead!

Find out more about vital supplements in pregnancy.

Find out which foods to avoid in pregnancy.