Can I Have Ice Cream During Pregnancy? Cravings Meet Caution

The short answer: Yes. But also… maybe not always.

So you’re pregnant, hormones are doing the cha-cha, and suddenly ice cream is calling your name like it’s your long-lost soulmate. First of all—totally normal. I remember my cousin Tara at six months crying over a tub of vanilla because she dropped the spoon. True story.

But can you actually have ice cream during pregnancy? Yes. In most cases, absolutely. But (and it’s a big but), there are some catches you really need to know before diving spoon-first into a pint of rocky road.

Let’s scoop into it. (Sorry, had to.)

What makes ice cream pregnancy-safe—or not?

Store-bought vs. homemade: a key difference

Most commercial, pasteurized ice creams you find in supermarkets (Ben & Jerry’s, Häagen-Dazs, etc.) are totally fine. The pasteurization process kills off harmful bacteria like listeria, which can be dangerous during pregnancy.

Homemade ice cream or soft-serve from a sketchy food truck? That’s where the danger creeps in. If it contains raw eggs or unpasteurized milk, you’re taking a real risk.

I once made ice cream from scratch with my neighbor Nora. It was amazing. But looking back, we totally used raw egg yolks… and yeah, she was 12 weeks pregnant. We panicked for a full day.

Everything was fine—but not a fun experience.

Soft-serve machines: tricky little devils

Even though the ice cream itself might be made with pasteurized milk, soft-serve machines can be breeding grounds for bacteria if they’re not cleaned properly. That’s why many doctors say to avoid it just to be safe.

So yeah, that gas station swirl cone? Maybe skip it this time.

Cravings vs. nutrition: balancing the sugar hit

It’s not just about the safety—it’s also about your body

Ice cream is high in sugar and saturated fat, and while that doesn’t mean it’s forbidden, it’s definitely something to enjoy in moderation.

If you’re having it every single night, you might want to check in with your OB or a dietitian. Not to get scolded—just to make sure your overall nutrition is still on track.

My friend Lucia swore she "needed" chocolate chip cookie dough daily during her third trimester. Her doc told her, "Cool—just balance it with some protein and fiber earlier in the day."
Boom. Problem solved.

Better alternatives when cravings hit hard

If you’re looking for something creamy and cold without going full sugar-bomb, here are a few ideas:

• Frozen banana blended with cocoa (surprisingly legit)

• Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey and frozen berries

• Plant-based "ice cream" with cleaner labels (still sweet but usually lower junk content)

But hey—sometimes nothing hits the spot like real-deal ice cream. And that’s okay too.

Warning signs to watch out for

If you get any of these after eating ice cream—call your doctor

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea within hours

• Fever or chills

• Unusual abdominal cramps

These could be signs of a foodborne illness like listeriosis or salmonella, which are rare but more dangerous during pregnancy.

That said—don’t freak out every time you burp. Your digestive system is already doing gymnastics during pregnancy. Just listen to your body.

Emotional comfort vs. emotional guilt

Don’t beat yourself up over a scoop (or three)

Here’s the thing. Pregnancy is HARD. Your body’s not really yours, your brain’s on fire, and half the world has an opinion on what you can and can’t eat.

So if ice cream brings you comfort? Have some. Just don’t drown in guilt afterward.

I made the mistake once of telling my sister, “You’ve had a lot of sweets lately…” while she was eight months pregnant. She gave me a look that I swear melted steel. Lesson learned: back off and let the woman eat.

Final scoop: Yes, you can have ice cream during pregnancy

If it’s pasteurized, stored properly, and not consumed in massive excess—you’re good. You don’t need to deprive yourself of joy to be a “good mom.”

Just be smart, read labels, avoid the sketchy soft-serve at the carnival, and maybe don’t eat an entire tub while binge-watching baby name videos on YouTube.

(But if you do, no judgment. Promise.)

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