Honey During Pregnancy: Is It Safe and How Much Is Sensible?
Honey during pregnancy is a common worry because most people know honey is not safe for babies. If honey can harm an infant, can it harm a baby in the womb? The good news is that health sources generally consider honey safe for pregnant adults in normal food amounts, because the botulism risk applies to infants' immature digestive systems, not to adults. There are still a few things to think about, including sugar, gestational diabetes and allergies. This article explains them clearly. For general questions, see is honey good for you.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Why the honey warning is about babies
Honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum. In babies under 12 months, the gut is not mature enough to stop these spores from growing and producing toxin, which can cause infant botulism. That is why the CDC warns never to give honey to babies.
In older children and adults, healthy gut bacteria and a mature digestive system usually prevent spores from taking hold. Mayo Clinic's honey overview notes that the spores do not seem to affect adults or older children the same way.
The toxin is not passed to an unborn baby from honey the parent eats, because the spores do not grow in the adult gut in the first place.
Is raw honey during pregnancy different?
Pregnant people are often told to avoid raw or unpasteurized foods such as raw milk and soft cheeses because of listeria and other bacteria. Honey is different. Its low water content and acidity make it a poor home for those bacteria, and it is not on standard lists of foods to avoid in pregnancy.
Healthline's review of honey during pregnancy also concludes that both raw and pasteurized honey are generally considered safe for pregnant adults. Still, if your provider has given you specific advice, follow it.
Honey during pregnancy and sugar
Honey is about 80 percent sugar. A tablespoon has around 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar. During pregnancy, extra calories are needed mostly in the second and third trimesters, and they are best spent on nutrient-rich foods.
The American Heart Association suggests women keep added sugars to about 25 grams a day. Honey counts toward that limit, so a teaspoon or two is plenty for most people.
| Amount | Approximate sugar |
|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon honey | About 6 g |
| 1 tablespoon honey | About 17 g |
| AHA daily added sugar guide for women | About 25 g |
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. If you have it, your care team will give you a meal plan, often limiting added sugars including honey. Honey raises blood sugar much like table sugar does.
Follow your dietitian's advice on whether and how to include honey. Our article on honey vs sugar and blood sugar explains the numbers.
Honey during pregnancy for colds and coughs
Many medicines are limited during pregnancy, so people look for gentler options when they catch a cold. Honey in warm water or tea is a comforting choice, and research suggests honey may help with cough symptoms.
Our article on honey for colds covers what studies show. Always check with your provider before taking any medicine or supplement during pregnancy, and call them if you have a fever.
Allergy considerations
Raw honey can contain traces of pollen. Honey allergy is rare, but people with known allergies to bee products or certain pollens should be cautious. Our article on honey allergy explains the signs.
If you have never had raw honey before and have strong pollen allergies, ask your provider before trying it.
Avoid unusual or mad honey
Some rare honeys made from rhododendron nectar contain grayanotoxins, sometimes called mad honey. These can cause dizziness, low blood pressure and heart rhythm problems and should be avoided by everyone, especially during pregnancy. Stick to honey from known, reputable sources.
Easy ways to enjoy honey during pregnancy
Pair small amounts of honey with nutrient-dense foods. Drizzle it on plain yogurt for calcium and protein, over oatmeal for fiber, or into a ginger tea, which some people find helpful for queasiness.
Our honey lemon ginger tea guide is a simple recipe many expecting parents enjoy.
After the baby arrives
Remember the rule changes once your baby is born. The baby must not have any honey until after their first birthday, including honey on pacifiers, in teas or in baked goods. Our articles on honey while breastfeeding and honey for toddlers cover what comes next.
Honey during pregnancy and nausea
Morning sickness affects many people in early pregnancy. Some find that small, frequent snacks help, and a plain cracker with a thin layer of honey or a warm ginger and honey drink can feel gentle. Ginger itself has some research support for pregnancy nausea, while honey mainly adds flavor.
If nausea or vomiting is severe, or you cannot keep fluids down, contact your provider. Severe vomiting in pregnancy needs medical care.
Honey for the pantry
Al Safa's raw honeys are strained only of wax and never heated above hive temperature. They are food, not prenatal supplements, and we encourage enjoying them in modest amounts.
Browse our honeys in the shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Is It Safe to Eat Honey During Pregnancy? · Healthline
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Honey (drugs and supplements overview) · Mayo Clinic
- How much sugar is too much? · American Heart Association
Frequently asked questions
- Is honey safe during pregnancy?
- Yes, for most pregnant adults in food amounts. The botulism risk applies to babies under 12 months.
- Can raw honey harm my unborn baby?
- Botulism spores do not usually grow in the adult gut, so honey you eat is not considered a risk to the fetus.
- How much honey is okay while pregnant?
- Keep it within added sugar limits, about a teaspoon or two a day for most people.
- Can I have honey with gestational diabetes?
- Only as your care team advises. Honey raises blood sugar like other sugars.
- Is honey and lemon safe for a cold in pregnancy?
- Generally yes. Call your provider if you have a fever or symptoms worsen.
- Should pregnant people avoid any honey?
- Avoid mad honey from rhododendron nectar and honey from unknown sources.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.