Is Milk chocolate safe during pregnancy?

Sweets & sweeteners

Counts towards the 200 mg caffeine limit

The NHS estimates a 50 g bar of plain milk chocolate has under 10 mg of caffeine, within its 200 mg daily limit.[1,2]

What official sources say

NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy

  • Estimated amount of caffeine in common foods and drinks: A 50 g bar of plain milk chocolate is estimated to contain less than 10 mg of caffeine.[1]
  • Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, caffeine tablets, chocolate, guarana and some health or fitness supplements.[1]

NHS: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy

  • Foods that are high in fat, sugar, or both, include: Chocolate is counted among foods high in fat, sugar or both.[2]

Related general rules

ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024

  • Sugar may be eaten in pregnancy, but it must be restricted to 25 to 30 grams a day. (p. 17)[3]
  • Added sugar must be kept below 5% of daily energy intake in pregnancy. (p. 17)[3]

NHS: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy

  • Sugary foods and drinks are often high in calories, which can add to weight gain, and they can also cause tooth decay.[2]
  • Foods and drinks high in fat and sugar should be eaten less often and in small amounts.[2]

Nutrition per 100 g (USDA)

Energy535 kcal
Protein7.65 g
Fibre3.4 g
Sugars51.5 g
Iron2.35 mg
Calcium189 mg
Folate (DFE)11 µg
Folate, total12 µg
Vitamin A (RAE)59 µg
Vitamin C0 mg
Vitamin D0 µg
Vitamin B120.75 µg
Choline46.1 mg
DHA (omega-3)0 g
EPA (omega-3)0 g
Caffeine20 mg
Sodium79 mg

USDA FoodData Central: Candies, milk chocolate (FDC ID 167587), per 100 g. Public domain. Values describe that USDA record; composition varies with variety and preparation.

Sources

  1. 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.
  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. ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 · nin.res.in. Printed page 17. Paraphrased and cited by printed page; the text is not reproduced.

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.