Eating Spicy Food During Pregnancy: Safety, Risks, And Tips I BabyChakra

Sudeshna Chakravarti

Author | 799 Articles

Spicy foods have explosive flavours and are known for stimulating your palette. These foods are filled with savoury and tangy ingredients that give you a much-needed kick on days when you don’t feel like eating simple. In fact, you may seek more spicy food during pregnancy as they help boost your appetite and mood.

While the exact reason for spicy food cravings during pregnancy remains unknown, hormonal changes and possible nutritional deficiencies are considered the underlying factors. But the question is: is it safe to eat spicy food during pregnancy?

Well, we bring you the answer in this post, including details about its safety, benefits, and tips to include spicy foods in your pregnancy diet.

Can You Eat Spicy Food During Pregnancy?

Yes, it’s safe to eat spicy food during pregnancy. There are no known effects of eating spicy foods on the growth and development of your baby in any trimester.

In fact, a study by the Baylor College of Medicine revealed that women who occasionally consumed spicy food during pregnancy did not face any issues. While the consumption of spicy foods may not have any side effects, experts recommend having them in minimal quantities during pregnancy.

Side Effects Of Consuming Excess Spicy Food During Pregnancy

Spicy foods do not affect your or your baby’s health inherently. Nevertheless, consumption of excess amounts of spicy food may increase the risk of the following conditions in the mum.

Indigestion: It is a common gastrointestinal discomfort that you may experience in the later stages of pregnancy. Consumption of spicy foods can aggravate indigestion if you are already experiencing this condition.
Heartburn: Many women experience acid reflux or uncomfortable heartburn during the later stages of pregnancy. Consuming spicy foods may aggravate the stomach acids, further increasing the severity of this condition.
Morning sickness: Eating spicy foods during pregnancy can also worsen your morning sickness symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.

However, keep in mind that the aggravation of these issues depends on several factors, such as if you are used to consuming spicy foods, the intensity of spiciness in the foods, and whether you are eating spicy foods with other items that may also play a role in worsening these conditions.

Are There Any Benefits Of Eating Spicy Food During Pregnancy?

A hint of spice in your food can enhance its taste and also offer the following benefits during pregnancy.

It helps stimulate your baby’s taste buds: A study by the National Library of Medicine notes that when a pregnant woman eats food of a specific flavour, it seeps into the amniotic fluid and introduces the baby to new tastes. Hence, spicy foods in your diet can help expose your baby to different flavours, potentially stimulating their taste buds.
It enhances your overall health: Consuming spices can help improve various aspects of your overall health. For instance, pungent spices can help increase good cholesterol levels in your blood and lower the levels of bad cholesterol.

Myths About Consuming Spicy Food During Pregnancy

There are many myths about consuming spicy food during pregnancy. You may have heard some of the following statements, but be rest assured, as they contain little to no scientific evidence, and have been refuted by experts on many occasions.

Spicy foods may cause preterm labour due to their high-heat generating capacity.
Spicy foods may cause your baby to be born blind.
Spicy foods can increase the risk of a miscarriage or congenital disabilities.
Spicy foods help induce labour.
Some women may experience irritable uterus due to the consumption of spicy foods.

How To Safely Consume Spicy Food During Pregnancy?

If the consumption of spicy food does not cause any concern during pregnancy, then you can continue to have them the way you usually do. However, if it aggravates your digestive problems, you may observe the following precautions while consuming spicy foods.

Avoid consuming spicy foods at restaurants. Instead, prepare the dishes at home so that you can monitor the spice amount.
Always check the ingredient label and expiry dates on the spice packaging.
If possible, avoid pre-packed spices as they may be adulterated. Purchase whole spices and powder them by yourself.
Reduce the intake of spicy food if you experience any discomfort. You may also try limiting a particular spice as well.

How To Include Spice In Your Pregnancy Diet?

We have listed a few spice products that can be safely incorporated into your pregnancy food recipes. Make sure to start with minimal amounts and then add them in moderation.

Curry sauce: This spice mix has garlic, onion, chili, and other common Indian spices. It is available in all stores, and you can use it to prepare various curries.
Black pepper: It exhibits antioxidant properties and offers a soothing effect when consumed during pregnancy.
Piri-Piri sauce: It is made with garlic, tomatoes, onion, and African birds-eye chili. This spice is high in spice and should be consumed in minimal amounts.
Wasabi peas: These are roasted peas coated with wasabi, a popular pungent condiment. It adds a good amount of spice, and you can have it in moderation as a healthy snack.

Conclusion

You can continue eating spicy food during pregnancy as long as it does not cause any digestive problems or discomfort. However, if you notice an aggravation of heartburn or nausea due to spicy food, then it’s best to reduce its intake or avoid them completely.

If you are eating spicy foods, then make sure to add them to your meals in limited quantities, and adjust the intensity of spice depending on your tolerance.