Is Carrot safe during pregnancy?

Vegetables Also called Gajjara gadda (Telugu); Gajjare (Kannada).

Part of the pregnancy diet

ICMR-NIN lists carrots among vegetables in its pregnancy food groups; the NHS suggests carrot as a healthier snack.[1,2]

What official sources say

ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024

  • Its pregnancy food groups list carrots, cauliflower, bottle gourd, snake gourd, pumpkin, spinach, amaranth, capsicum, mushrooms, tomatoes and other vegetables. (p. 16)[1]

NHS: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy

  • Instead, choose something healthier, such as: Salad vegetables such as carrot, celery or cucumber are suggested as a healthier snack.[2]

Related general rules

NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy

  • Fruit and vegetables › Safe to eat: Most fruits and vegetables are safe to eat in pregnancy, as long as they are washed thoroughly first.[3]
  • Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly to remove soil, because soil can carry bacteria that may make you ill.[3]

US FDA: Fruits, Veggies and Juices (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be)

  • Thoroughly rinse raw fruits and vegetables under running water before eating or preparing them, especially fruits that require peeling or cutting - like cantaloupe and other melons.[4]

US CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women

  • Riskier Choice: Unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables, including lettuce and other leafy greens[5]
  • Safer Choice: Washed vegetables and fruits (washed and then cooked are safest)[5]

NHS: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy

  • Aim for at least 5 portions of varied fruit and vegetables a day, which can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced, and always wash fresh produce carefully.[2]

Nutrition per 100 g (USDA)

Energy41 kcal
Protein0.93 g
Fibre2.8 g
Sugars4.74 g
Iron0.3 mg
Calcium33 mg
Folate (DFE)19 µg
Folate, total19 µg
Vitamin A (RAE)835 µg
Vitamin C5.9 mg
Vitamin D0 µg
Vitamin B120 µg
Choline8.8 mg
DHA (omega-3)0 g
EPA (omega-3)0 g
Caffeine0 mg
Sodium69 mg

USDA FoodData Central: Carrots, raw (FDC ID 170393), per 100 g. Public domain. Values describe that USDA record; composition varies with variety and preparation.

Sources

  1. ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 · nin.res.in. Printed page 16. Paraphrased and cited by printed page; the text is not reproduced.
  2. NHS: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy · nhs.uk. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). Not endorsed by the NHS.
  3. NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy · nhs.uk. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). Not endorsed by the NHS.
  4. US FDA: Fruits, Veggies and Juices (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be) · fda.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.
  5. US CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women · cdc.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.

Sources checked 26 September 2026.

Quotes are checked word for word against each source page, and paraphrases against the original text. Official bodies are named as sources only: none of them reviewed or endorses this page.

Educational information, not medical advice. Your own doctor or midwife may advise differently for you — follow their advice.