Can You Eat Spicy Food While Pregnant?

Pregnant ladies require a balanced diet, full of nutrient-dense foods, to nourish their baby in the best way possible. To reach this goal, you must know what food items are good for you or must be avoided while pregnant.

Eating spicy food while pregnant is one of the things that you should be aware of it. But can you eat spicy food while pregnant? The answer to this question is one of the things which will be covered in the following parts.

In this article on Hipregnancy, you will learn the most important tips and points about consuming spicy food in pregnancy.

Read on to the end to understand all you need about hot, spicy food and pregnancy.

Can I eat spicy food while pregnant?

Soon after getting pregnant, you will find that many things should be changed in your life, as you are responsible for your unborn baby’s health, living in your tummy.

You may be one member of spicy food lovers’ big family. If yes, this question may make your mind busy after getting pregnant; “Can I eat spicy food during pregnancy?”

The answer to the above question is yes, as there is no scientific evidence to prove the idea that eating spicy foods can harm pregnant women or their babies. It is up to you to consume these types of food during your pregnancy time, but the key rule is to have them in moderation because high amounts of spicy foods can lead to some discomfort during pregnancy, which will be covered later in the rest of this article.

As a result, spicy foods don’t fall into the category of things that should be cut out, like eating junk foods during pregnancy. But you should remember that each pregnancy is unique and has different circumstances. Therefore, it is better to consult your doctor before eating spicy food while pregnant.

Also Read: can you eat hot dogs while pregnant?

The reason behind craving spicy food during pregnancy

Specific food cravings aren’t abnormal among pregnant ladies; any of you may experience craving spicy food while pregnant. But does this craving mean anything? Let’s talk about the answer to this question in detail.

There are several ideas about the reason for craving spicy food in pregnancy. It may happen due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. In other words, hormonal changes can lead to craving something you didn’t like before getting pregnant or liked. 

The other reason can be related to cooling down your body. Because when you consume spicy foods, you start to sweat, which cools down your body. In addition, there is an old wives’ tale about craving spicy foods during pregnancy. Based on this theory, craving these types of food is a sign of giving birth to a baby boy. Note that it is just a theory, and it is not scientifically proven.

Also Read: can i eat salami while pregnant?

Risks and side effects of consuming spicy food in pregnancy

Although spicy foods can be eaten during pregnancy in moderation, in some cases, they can lead to the following side effects. If you are facing the side effects listed below, you should not eat this food while pregnant.

Here are 3 common risks associated with consuming spicy food while pregnant;

• Indigestion

This problem is common discomfort among pregnant ladies due to several reasons, like shifting organs during pregnancy. It is proven that having spicy food in excess can lead to indigestion issues.

• Heartburn

Experiencing heartburn in the late months of pregnancy is normal and may happen to anyone. Spicy foods can increase acid reflux and worsen your heartburn during the last trimester of pregnancy. Note that it is not the only thing causing heartburn. For example, if you have caffeine in excess during pregnancy, you will face heartburn.

If you don’t know the safe amount of caffeine for pregnant ladies, read our amazing article about how much caffeine to eat during pregnancy.

• Morning sickness

Surely, you know that morning sickness is the early sign of pregnancy, and even you may face it as pre pregnancy symptoms. Hipregnancy has bad news for spicy food lovers! Consuming spicy food during pregnancy first trimester can increase morning sickness.

Tips to consume spicy food while pregnant

If you don’t want to get affected by the side effects of eating spicy foods, follow the below tips to consume spicy food during pregnancy in the right manner;

• Try to buy fresh spices and grind them at home.
• Do not overeat spicy foods while pregnant.
• Only buy branded spices which are approved by food certification authorities.
• Always check the expiry date of the packaged spices.
• Do your best to prepare your food at home instead of buying prepared spicy food while pregnant.
• Avoid consuming spices which are sold loose due to having impurities.

All the above tips help you prevent dangers associated with spicy food consumption during pregnancy. We recommend you keep these tips in mind and also consult your doctor about eating this type of food to get better results.

How to enjoy spicy food during pregnancy?

There are many ways to include spicy food in your diet while pregnant, as there are several foods and recipes. Your doctor can suggest pregnancy-safe options, which can be included in your diet during pregnancy. But as a general rule, the following items are pregnancy-safe spicy foods;

• Curry sauce
• Middle Eastern cooking sauce
• Wasabi peas
• Pepper
• And last but not least, spicy pickles.

You can enjoy eating these food options when you crave spicy food while pregnant, but you should always be careful about how much you eat them. Although they are safe for pregnant ladies, having them in excess can change the result and make them unsafe options.

Conclusion

Food cravings are one of the things that come to our minds when we talk about pregnancy. What about spicy foods? Can you eat spicy food while pregnant?

Craving spicy food while pregnant is common among ladies, even those who didn’t like to taste spicy foods before getting pregnant. As we discussed in this article, eating this type of food will be safe for you and your baby, once you consume them in excess.

Now, share your experiences about consuming spicy foods while pregnant. “Did you crave spicy food items during pregnancy?”, “Did you face any problem after having this type of food?”

FAQs

1. Can pregnant women at spicy food?

Eating spicy food is considered safe during pregnancy if taken in moderation. Otherwise, it may cause indigestion and heartburn.

2. Does spicy food cause miscarriage?

Causing miscarriage is a myth regarding consumption of spicy food while pregnant, but adequate scientific evidence is not support it.

3. Can spicy food induce labor?

No scientific evidence supports the idea that eating spicy food can induce labor.