Can I eat avocado while pregnant?
Doola Scan's answer in the United StatesAvocado isn't on the pregnancy food lists of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Ireland, so Doola Scan shows No known issues, fresh or in guacamole. The check is the one for all fresh produce: the FDA asks you to wash fruit even when you won't eat the skin, so dirt and bacteria aren't carried from the skin when you peel or cut it. Any raw onion, tomato or coriander in guacamole needs washing too: all six countries ask you to wash raw vegetables in pregnancy.
Checked against Doola Scan's pregnancy rules · UpdatedFresh avocado, sliced, mashed or on toast
No known issuesIn all six countriesHomemade guacamole
No known issuesIn all six countriesGuacamole from a shop or restaurant
No known issuesIn all six countries
Avocado while pregnant: what each country says.
Each country's own pregnancy guidance on avocado, with a link to it. Doola Scan uses your country's first.
No known issuesNone of the six countries' pregnancy guidance names avocado.
United States
No known issuesWashing fresh fruit and vegetables- FDAAvoid unwashed fresh vegetables, including lettuce and salads.Source
United Kingdom
No known issuesWashing fresh fruit and vegetables- NHSSoil on produce can carry bacteria and toxoplasma.Source
Canada
No known issuesWashing fresh fruit and vegetables- Health CanadaRinse delicate produce under cool running water; scrub firm produce.Source
Australia
No known issuesWashing fresh fruit and vegetables- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government Dept of Health)Wash fruit, vegetables and herbs to remove soil (toxoplasma).Source
New Zealand
No known issuesWashing fresh fruit and vegetables- Health NZWash and dry all fresh fruit and vegetables well just before eating.Source
Ireland
No known issuesWashing fresh fruit and vegetables- HSEWash all fruit, vegetables and pre-packed salads before eating.Source
Before you eat avocado.
Wash the avocado before you cut it
Rinse the skin under running water before you slice it, even though you won't eat it. The FDA says it's still important to wash produce you peel, so dirt and bacteria aren't carried from the surface when you peel or cut it. Health Canada asks you to scrub firm produce with a clean brush. FDA
Wash the raw vegetables in guacamole
When guacamole has raw onion, tomato or coriander in it, wash them first. The NHS asks you to wash salad vegetables like tomatoes thoroughly before eating, because soil can contain bacteria that may make you unwell. NHS
Cut away bruised or damaged parts
The FDA asks you to cut away any damaged or bruised areas of fresh fruit before eating. Store cut or packaged produce in the fridge. FDA
About avocado
in pregnancy.
Not sure about a meal? Scan it.
Point Doola at a plate, a menu or a label. It checks every ingredient against your country's pregnancy guidance and shows its sources. Food scans are free, 3 a day.
Download app nowDoola shows what official guidance says; it never diagnoses. No known issues means none of these countries' pregnancy guidance names it, not a promise that a food is safe.