A woman’s diet during pregnancy is of utmost importance, as it not only gives nourishment to the mother, but also to the baby. As it is the only source of nourishment for the growing foetus, the diet of a woman needs to be well balanced. Care should be taken to include only those items that will not harm the mother and the baby.
Spicy food does not affect the baby or the pregnancy. However, consuming more spicy food than what your body can bear creates digestion, acidity, and heartburn related problems.
Consuming spicy food in the first trimester is safe and does not affect the development of the baby. The risk of early pregnancy loss is high in the first trimester, which may make expecting mothers worry about the side effects of consuming spicy food.
Consumption of spicy food during the second and third trimester increases the chances of experiencing heartburn and acid reflux. In the third trimester, the growing foetus causes stomach acids to revert to the oesophagus, and eating spicy foods could aggravate this condition.
As long as your body can digest all the spices, it is safe to consume spicy food in limited quantities. Avoid eating spicy food cooked outside. Instead, buy fresh spices and grind them at home.
Eating spicy food can cause digestion problems leading to discomfort in a pregnant woman. Listed below are the risks and side effects of eating spicy food during pregnancy:
If you decide to eat spicy food, pair it with a glass of milk to minimise heartburn. Honey can also help prevent heartburn after eating a spicy dish.
There are myths attached to eating spicy food during pregnancy. Myths without any scientific backing include:
None of these myths have any scientific backing, so they must not be believed.
To make sure that you are not adversely affected by the dangers of spicy food, you must consume them in a proper manner.
You should be cautious and selective while consuming spicy food during pregnancy. Some of the spicy food items that can be included in your diet are as follows:
Though spicy food is usually safe during pregnancy, too much spice or a sensitive digestive system can have some side-effects for pregnant women. In some women, spicy food can cause an irritable uterus or irritation in the intestines. Spicy foods usually pass through the gastro-intestinal tract quicker than non-spicy food, and may even cause diarrhoea, acidity, or gas. These issues can make the intestines cramp, which in turn, causes irritation in the uterus due to its close proximity to the intestines. The major symptom of an irritable uterus is disorganised twitching in the uterine muscles or cramps in the lower abdomen, which in rare cases, can cause contractions that begin to dilate the cervix. Women who are less than 37 weeks pregnant and experience any such symptoms should immediately consult their doctor, who can further guide them. If you notice any sensitivity to spicy foods during pregnancy, such as acidity, gas, or cramping, it is suggested that you avoid spicy food.
FAQ’s pertaining to consumption of spicy food are as follows:
Spicy food does not harm the baby and is absolutely safe to consume.
Heartburn and digestion problems can be caused by excessive consumption of spicy food.
Chillies release a chemical compound called capsaicin, which is known to prevent the formation of cancer cells.
The most common question that pregnant woman have is that is spicy food bad for pregnancy? Spicy food does not have any impact on the pregnancy, and it will not harm the baby in anyway.
Although spicy food is safe to consume during pregnancy, it is best to keep its intake limited in order to avoid discomfort due to heartburn and indigestion. Eating a healthy diet with a mix of different flavours will help break the monotony and keep your taste buds interested in the food you consume.