Can You Eat Ice Cream While Pregnant? What You Actually Need to Know

That ice cream craving hitting at 10 p.m. is one of the most classic pregnancy experiences — and you’re definitely not imagining it. Research suggests that somewhere between 50 and 90 percent of women in the United States report cravings for specific foods while pregnant, and about 12% of pregnant women report craving ice cream specifically.

But with so much conflicting advice swirling around pregnancy nutrition, it’s easy to second-guess yourself before every scoop. So here’s the straightforward truth: you can almost certainly enjoy ice cream while pregnant — and this guide will show you exactly how to do it confidently, safely, and without the guilt spiral.

Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your OB-GYN or midwife before making changes to your pregnancy diet, especially if you have a condition like gestational diabetes or a history of food allergies.

The Short Answer

Yes, ice cream is generally safe during pregnancy, provided you follow a few key guidelines. The basics are simple: choose commercially made ice cream from a reputable brand, make sure it’s made with pasteurized milk and eggs, and enjoy it in moderation rather than as a daily staple.

The basic ingredients of ice cream — dairy products like milk and cream, sugar, and sometimes eggs — are safe to eat during pregnancy. The concerns that do exist aren’t really about ice cream itself; they’re about specific types, ingredients, and how the product is handled. Once you know what to look for, ordering that cone or cracking open a pint becomes a lot less stressful.

Key Insight: The safety question isn’t “ice cream yes or no” — it’s about which kind of ice cream and how much. Most store-bought brands pass the test easily.

Why It’s Safe — With a Few Caveats

Ice cream earns its place in a pregnancy diet for a few real reasons. Ice cream made with dairy provides calcium, which supports your baby’s bone development and keeps your bones strong. It also delivers a small hit of protein and, depending on the flavor, vitamins like A and B12.

That said, “generally safe” comes with conditions. The two main concerns are bacterial risk and nutritional excess — and both are easy to manage once you understand them.

The pasteurization rule is non-negotiable. The CDC advises pregnant women to consume only pasteurized dairy products to reduce the risk of listeriosis. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can change a pregnant person’s immune system, making her more susceptible to contracting foodborne illness — which is exactly why this matters more now than at any other time.

Moderation matters for your nutrition. Ice cream is a delicious source of calcium and protein, but it’s also high in sugar and fat. Although occasionally enjoying a sweet treat during pregnancy is perfectly healthy, consuming too many calories can lead to excessive weight gain and other health complications that can negatively impact your health and the health of your baby.

You can also check out this helpful overview of foods and beverages to avoid during pregnancy to get a fuller picture of pregnancy-safe eating.

What the Research Actually Says

The research landscape on ice cream and pregnancy is less alarming than the internet might have you believe. The core finding is consistent: commercially produced, pasteurized ice cream poses minimal risk to pregnant women.

On listeria risk: Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy bacterium that can grow at refrigerator temperatures where most other bacteria cannot survive, and pregnant women are approximately 10 times more likely to contract listeriosis than the general population. That sounds frightening — but context matters. While listeriosis is serious, it remains rare. The NHS estimates that only about 1 in 12,000 pregnant women in the UK will develop listeriosis annually.

On soft serve specifically: The reason soft serve gets singled out — while regular ice cream gets a pass — comes down to temperature and equipment. Soft-serve machines cool the mix to approximately -6°C to -4°C, which is warmer than a typical freezer at -18°C, creating conditions where Listeria could survive if present. The machine itself, not the ice cream, is the actual variable.

On sugar and gestational diabetes: Eating excessive high-sugar foods during pregnancy can lead to increased risk of gestational diabetes, which can impact the health of your developing baby. This doesn’t mean one scoop causes gestational diabetes — it means regular overconsumption adds unnecessary risk.

On raw eggs in certain recipes: Some custard-style or homemade ice creams may use raw eggs, which can contain salmonella. This is the other specific risk worth knowing about — and it’s entirely avoidable by choosing store-bought brands or asking about ingredients.

Want to understand more about how food choices intersect with long-term health? The benefits of whole plant-based foods is a great companion read for building a nutrient-rich pregnancy diet.

How to Eat Ice Cream Safely During Pregnancy

The good news: eating ice cream safely during pregnancy doesn’t require a nutrition degree. A few straightforward habits cover most of the risk.

Choose Pasteurized, Commercially Made Ice Cream

Generally speaking, ice cream that you buy at your local grocery or big box store should be perfectly safe for you to eat. If you’re tempted by the soft-serve machine at a local restaurant, that should be fine, too, as long as the ice cream is made with pasteurized milk.

Some ice cream recipes, particularly homemade or custard-style ones, may use raw eggs. To stay safe, skip any ice cream that might contain unpasteurized eggs, as they can carry salmonella. Stick to store-bought brands or ask about ingredients at ice cream parlors.

Be Smart About Soft Serve

The fact is, soft-serve ice cream is made with pasteurized milk, which is safe for pregnant women. Soft serve continues to be safe but only if it is hygienically stored — this is the key to being able to enjoy soft-serve ice cream.

If you see an ice cream truck or a store that looks unclean or unhygienic, give it a miss. Ask management about their soft-serve ice cream machine cleaning schedule. If they have machines that self-pasteurize overnight, the ice cream should be safe for you to eat — these machines heat up overnight to kill any bacteria lurking inside.

Pro Tip: Major fast-food chains typically have stricter cleaning protocols for their soft-serve machines than smaller vendors. If you’re unsure about a local shop, a pre-packaged pint from the grocery store is always the lower-risk option.

Watch Your Portions and Frequency

While ice cream is safe in moderation, eating it daily might lead to excessive sugar or calorie intake. Aim for a balanced diet and treat yourself a few times a week.

Bear in mind there are around 17 grams — just over 4 teaspoons — of sugar in a single serving of ice cream. That’s quite a sugar hit. One teaspoon is just under four grams, which means one serving of ice cream quickly eats into your daily recommended intake of 6 teaspoons of sugar from the foods and drinks you consume.

Be Aware of Caffeine in Flavored Ice Creams

You might want to steer clear of any ice creams that contain caffeine, like coffee-flavored ice cream, if you already consume caffeine in other forms. Green tea actually contains some caffeine, too, so that might be another flavor to skip or limit. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day for pregnant people.

Trimester Considerations

Cravings tend to emerge by the end of your first trimester and often hit their peak sometime during the second trimester. Cravings commonly decline as you approach your delivery date. There’s no trimester where ice cream becomes suddenly off-limits — the same safety rules apply throughout your pregnancy.

In the second and third trimesters, calorie needs do increase. On average, you need to consume an extra 340 calories per day during your second trimester and an extra 450 calories per day during the third trimester. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you usually won’t need any extra calories during the first trimester. This means a small scoop fits more easily into your nutritional budget as pregnancy progresses — just don’t use it as your primary calorie source.

For more on the nutrients that genuinely move the needle during pregnancy, explore these foods that boost brain health — many of which are excellent additions to a pregnancy diet.

When to Avoid It Completely

While ice cream is safe for most pregnant women, there are specific situations where you should hold off or get guidance from your doctor first.

• Gestational diabetes: High GI carbohydrates raise your blood sugar levels quickly, which is not good if you have gestational diabetes. These foods include sugary drinks and processed foods such as cake, biscuits, sweets, and ice cream. If you’ve been diagnosed, work with your care team before including ice cream — there are lower-sugar options that may still work for you.
• Homemade or artisan ice cream with raw eggs: Raw eggs can increase the risk of a Salmonella infection in pregnant women. It causes fever and gastrointestinal problems and may be harmful for the fetus. Always confirm ingredients when buying from small-batch makers.
• Ice cream with unpasteurized milk: Avoid ice creams that have unpasteurized milk during pregnancy. This mostly applies to artisan or farm-direct products — always check the label.
• Soft serve from questionable vendors: If machines are not regularly and properly cleaned, there is still a risk of listeria contamination. Trust your instincts — if the setup looks unsanitary, skip it.
• Pre-existing diabetes, PCOS, or blood sugar concerns: Ice cream is high in sugar, which may increase your chances of having impaired glucose tolerance. It’s not a great option for those who have had a history of PCOS, pre-diabetes, or a family history of diabetes. Consult your doctor about safe amounts and alternatives.
• Active food allergy to dairy or eggs: If you have a known allergy, stick to dairy-free alternatives made with pasteurized plant-based milks.

Important Note: If you experience any unusual symptoms — nausea, fever, stomach pain — after eating ice cream while pregnant, contact your healthcare provider promptly. These could be signs of a foodborne illness that warrants attention.

You may also want to review this list of foods and beverages to avoid during pregnancy to make sure your full diet is on track.

Quick Reference Chart

For a broader look at how to build a pregnancy-supportive diet, the superfoods for a healthy heart guide and this overview of fibroid healing foods both offer nutrient-dense ideas worth adding to your rotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat ice cream every day while pregnant?
While ice cream is safe in moderation, eating it daily might lead to excessive sugar or calorie intake. Aim for a balanced diet and treat yourself a few times a week. If you’re craving something sweet daily, try alternating with lower-sugar options like Greek yogurt with fruit or a frozen banana blended smooth.

Is soft serve safe during pregnancy?
Soft-serve ice cream during pregnancy is not the clear-cut “avoid at all costs” that some sources suggest. The risk is real but very small, especially from well-maintained machines at reputable outlets. Stick to busy, well-known chains and avoid vendors with questionable hygiene.

Is gelato safer than regular ice cream?
Gelato is just as safe as ice cream if it’s made with pasteurized ingredients. Always check the label or ask the vendor. Scooped gelato from a proper freezer cabinet carries even less risk than machine-dispensed soft serve.

Can I eat cookie dough ice cream while pregnant?
Most commercial cookie dough ice creams use heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs in their dough mix, making them safe. Always verify by checking the ingredients label or contacting the brand directly. Homemade cookie dough ice cream with raw eggs or raw flour is a different story — skip it.

Does eating ice cream affect my baby’s gender or brain development?
It is believed that eating ice cream, which is cold or chilled, can affect the baby’s brain — but no scientific data or studies are available to establish this myth. Cold cannot affect the fetus unless your diet and lifestyle are dominated by detrimental cold weather and foods. Cravings also have nothing to do with the baby’s gender.

What if I have gestational diabetes — can I still eat ice cream?
Ice cream doesn’t have to be off the table just because you’re managing gestational diabetes. In fact, with a few intentional choices, it can still have a place in your routine. The key isn’t avoiding treats altogether — it’s finding versions that work for your body right now. Stick to about 1/2 cup (one serving) at a time. Always check the nutrition label for total carbs — aim for under 15g per serving. Pair it with protein or enjoy it after a balanced meal to help minimize blood sugar spikes. Always work with your care team on specific guidance.

What are the best pregnancy-safe ice cream alternatives?
Opt for smaller portions or low-calorie options like frozen yogurt or fruit-based sorbets to satisfy your cravings without overloading on calories. You can also blend frozen bananas into a creamy “nice cream,” or try making your own frozen yogurt with fruit, Greek yogurt, and a sweetener like stevia. These options give you the cold, sweet satisfaction without the higher sugar load of traditional ice cream.

Can I eat ice cream in my third trimester?
The guidance remains consistent throughout pregnancy. There is no “safer” trimester for soft serve — and the same applies to regular ice cream. The rules don’t change as your due date approaches. Just continue applying the same pasteurization and moderation guidelines you’ve followed all along.

For more on building a nutrient-rich diet throughout pregnancy, explore foods for healthy skin and this guide to foods that support liver function — two areas of health that are especially relevant during pregnancy.