Can You Eat Spicy Food While Pregnant?

It is safe to say that pregnancy is probably one of the most emotional times in a woman’s life. Not only are you carrying another human in your womb for nine months, but you are having to keep that little human safe.

As long as you are following the basic advice, the chances are you are doing all of the right things to keep your child safe and healthy.

For all you spicy food lovers out there, you will be pleased to know that it is safe to eat spicy food in moderation while pregnant. Spicy foods can offer several benefits to your pregnancy diet.

But, as an expecting mother it is easy to let the little things get to you, even going as far as being cautious over eating spicy food. Is it safe to eat spicy food while pregnant?

Should You Be Avoiding Spicy Food?

There is a misconception that eating spicy food will ultimately disrupt the pregnancy however this is completely untrue. There is no data to show that spicy food has had an impact in the baby’s development or health, so eat as much vindaloo as you desire!

The Benefits To Consuming Spicy Food During Pregnancy

You may be surprised to know that there are a number of benefits for yourself and your baby when eating spicy food.

Your baby will discover new flavors

Although your child is in the womb, what you eat during the pregnancy has an effect on the fetus. What you eat is transferred to the baby through your amniotic fluid so they are essentially eating what you eat.

Because of this, your baby will be familiar with the taste of the spicy food and will be discovering new flavors.

Boost in health

The consumption of spicy food can also be beneficial to your overall health. Not only is it good for the heart but supports the immune system too.

Does Spicy Food Help Induce Labor?

There are many people who suggest that eating spicy food helps with inducing labor, however there is no hardcore evidence to prove this true.

Many women have tried coming up with ways to help move their labor along, spicy food being one of them yet, despite the rumors, there is not one certain thing which helps. But if you wish to test the theory, go ahead and try!

Food To Avoid

Although it is perfectly acceptable to eat spicy food, that is not to say that everything is fine to eat. There are many foods out there which should be avoided in order to protect yourself as the mother and your unborn baby.

Raw Fish

It is very important to avoid any kind of raw fish during your pregnancy as this consumption commonly leads to infection (bacterial, viral, parasitic).

Although these infections can only impact the mother, there are times where infections can be passed onto the baby too. So, if you are a fan of sushi, you will have to hold off for nine months.

Raw Eggs

Another food to avoid is raw eggs as this can be full of Salmonella. Because of this it is important to make sure all your eggs are cooked thoroughly to be safe. This stands for all types of egg: boiled, fried, scrambled, poached. Make sure that these are all cooked through.

Unwashed fruit and vegetables

It is always important to wash your fruit and veg but when you are pregnant this is more important than ever. When preparing a meal, always wash your produce before consuming.

There is so much bacteria and germs on a surface and if that touches the produce you consume, this heightens your chance of illness. To wash, simply run your produce under some cold water; this is all that is needed. To stay extra safe you can even choose to peel your vegetables.

Drinks To Avoid

As well as food, there is also plenty of drinks to avoid during your pregnancy.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the obvious one. No matter what, do not consume any alcohol during your pregnancy as the consumption is notorious for interrupting pregnancies.

Studies show that indulgence of alcohol can lead to miscarriages and still births, so it is very important to avoid this at all costs.

Caffeine

Some of you may be disappointed to see caffeine on the list. Although this is not as critical as alcohol, it is still advised to cut down your levels of caffeine – this includes coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

Consuming caffeine can have impacts on the baby’s growth and health, so it is important to cut this down.

Food Great For Pregnancy

Despite all the foods that need to be avoided, there is still plenty to go around. There is plenty of food which is great for a mother to eat. These will not only keep mother and baby healthy but will prevent any possible setbacks during the pregnancy.

Some foods include:

• Avocados
• Dried fruit
• Berries
• Sweet potatoes
• Yoghurt

Final Thoughts

When it comes to dietary during needs pregnancy there can be a lot to take in. There are foods you shouldn’t eat and foods that will benefit yours and the baby’s health for the better.

Spicy food is a topic which most pregnant women have stumbled upon at one point or another – is it safe to eat? Well, the answer to that question is yes, spicy food is completely safe to eat.

Consuming spice will not harm the baby’s development or their overall health but is rather introducing them to new tastes and flavors.

With this in mind, it should also be acknowledged that whatever you eat, your baby is eating too. This is why it is very important to stick to a good diet and keep clear of foods such as sushi.

Pregnancy is an exciting time for women as they are bringing a life into the world. It is also a scary time because it is their duty to protect them. However, as long as you are taking care of yourself and your body, you are doing a good job in protecting your child.