Can You Eat Spicy Food While Pregnant?

Pregnancy is a journey filled with excitement with episodes of intense cravings. One common craving is that of eating spicy food but is it safe to indulge in hot flavours while you’re expecting? Let’s find out!

Eating Spicy Food During Pregnancy

It is safe to eat spicy food during pregnancy. However, many pregnant women experience stomach problems or digestive issues because of hormonal changes & due to pressure from the growing baby. So, it is best to avoid such foods because though these foods won’t harm your baby, but they can make you feel uncomfortable.

Effects of eating spicy food during Pregnancy

Eating spicy food during pregnancy can have positive as well as negative effects. This includes —

1. Risk of heartburn

Spicy foods can increase the likelihood of experiencing heartburn, a common issue faced during pregnancy. Hormonal changes can relax the valve between the oesophagus and stomach, allowing stomach acids to flow back up and causing discomfort. This is most frequent in the third trimester when your growing baby pushes acids upwards.

2. Abdominal Pain

While spicy foods don’t cause stomach ulcers (they may even help heal them), they can trigger symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in individuals with conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

3. Health Benefits

The capsaicin in spicy peppers has anti-inflammatory properties, which could potentially support your immune system and heart health.

4. Diverse Tastes for Your Baby

What you eat during pregnancy influences your baby’s future taste preferences. Flavours from your diet are transferred to your baby through amniotic fluid. By week 15, your baby’s taste buds are fully developed, and they start swallowing amniotic fluid that allows them to taste your meals. Research suggests that eating a variety of flavours and spices during pregnancy might encourage your baby to become an adventurous eater later in life.

Why am I craving spicy food during pregnancy?

Studies suggest that 50% and 90% of women have strange or unpredictable food cravings when they are pregnant. This is because of hormonal changes which can change how they taste and smell things. Cravings may also happen when your body doesn’t have enough specific vitamins, minerals, or nutrients.

Craving usually starts in the 1st trimester and can continue throughout pregnancy. One might experience this even before knowing that they are pregnant.