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Does spicy food hurt baby while pregnant


Spicy Food in Pregnancy: Myths and Facts

You used to have a low-to-medium tolerance for spicy food, but no more — now that you’re pregnant, you crave literally anything with the word “buffalo” in it, from chicken wings to roasted cauliflower to convenience-store potato chips.

Is all that heat safe for you and your baby? Here’s what you need to know if pregnancy has left you dumping hot sauce on practically everything (seriously, only your breakfast cereal is safe at this point).

Pregnancy makes you crave all kinds of stuff, none of which usually makes any sense. Pickles and ice cream, strawberry jam on hamburgers, marinara sauce over canned tuna — you name it, and a pregnant person has eaten it.

There’s generally one explanation: Hormones, which are to blame for pretty much everything.

There’s no trick to decoding your cravings, but there are some myths floating around the internet about why many women crave spicy foods during pregnancy.

Some people think it happens more if you’re having a boy, while others wonder if it’s some sort of natural instinct to cool down (literally — eating spicy food makes you sweat, and sweating lowers your body temp).

Either way, your taste buds often change during and after pregnancy, so don’t worry if you’re suddenly craving five-alarm chili. It probably isn’t a “sign” of anything worth noting.

Here’s some good news: Eating spicy food during pregnancy is 100 percent safe for your baby. Really! It can’t hurt your little one.

One small word of warning, though — 2019 research suggests that eating certain foods during pregnancy can change the “flavor” of your amniotic fluid. However, no studies have looked at spicy food intake specifically.

Nevertheless, you could be influencing your baby’s taste buds with all those buffalo chicken wraps, and they might show a preference for certain familiar flavors later on. Not that that’s a bad thing, just FYI.

Here’s the not-so-good news: While eating a lot of spicy food isn’t bad for your baby, it can cause some unpleasant side effects for you. Nothing dangerous, but satisfying the craving might not always be worth the pain of heartburn, indigestion, and GI distress afterward.

If you’re not used to eating spicy foods but pregnancy has given you a hankering for chili peppers, it’s smart to start slow.

Don’t eat spicy foods in high amounts or at every meal. Make sure you stay well hydrated. Prepare spicy food safely, by choosing quality ingredients and washing your hands after handling peppers.

And try to build up your tolerance to heat in increments rather than jumping straight to that ghost pepper tabasco with the skull and crossbones on the label, OK?

In the first trimester, eating spicy food isn’t likely to cause many issues, although it can aggravate morning sickness. If you’re already having trouble with all-day nausea and queasiness, spicy foods may make things worse.

In the second and third trimester, eating spicy food may cause:

  • heartburn, as your growing uterus forces stomach acids higher into your esophagus
  • indigestion
  • nausea
  • diarrhea, gas, and bloating
  • an increase in gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) symptoms

If you’re getting close to the end of your pregnancy and thinking about giving your labor a jump start, everyone from your mother to your grandmother to the guy in the apartment next door will probably tell you to eat something spicy.

This advice is so prevalent, in fact, that researchers actually studied it alongside other labor shortcuts (like walking, sex, and laxatives) back in 2011.

Researchers asked 201 postpartum women if they had tried to naturally induce labor and, if so, what methods they had used; of the 50 percent who reported they had tried self-inducing, 20 percent claimed they had eaten spicy foods to get the job done.

The only problem? There’s no science here to back this up. If you’re sitting pretty at 38 weeks with no dilation, chowing down on a plate of wings isn’t going to make your body suddenly ready for birth.

You might be willing to deal with the heartburn that comes with eating spicy foods if it means satisfying a powerful craving, but keep in mind that getting rid of pregnancy heartburn isn’t as easy as chugging Pepto-Bismol like it was in your pre-pregnancy days.

Not all over-the-counter drugs for heartburn, indigestion, and nausea are considered safe for pregnant women. Give your doctor a call if you’re experiencing severe or persistent GI symptoms, like:

  • diarrhea
  • burning pain
  • gas
  • cramping
  • bloating

Listen, mama: If you’ve got the stomach for it (pun intended), then you can eat all the spicy food you want during pregnancy! It won’t hurt you or your baby.

If you’re not used to heat, go slow — and if you start having uncomfortable side effects, limit how much and how often you douse your food in tabasco.

Spicy Food in Pregnancy: Myths and Facts

You used to have a low-to-medium tolerance for spicy food, but no more — now that you’re pregnant, you crave literally anything with the word “buffalo” in it, from chicken wings to roasted cauliflower to convenience-store potato chips.

Is all that heat safe for you and your baby? Here’s what you need to know if pregnancy has left you dumping hot sauce on practically everything (seriously, only your breakfast cereal is safe at this point).

Pregnancy makes you crave all kinds of stuff, none of which usually makes any sense. Pickles and ice cream, strawberry jam on hamburgers, marinara sauce over canned tuna — you name it, and a pregnant person has eaten it.

There’s generally one explanation: Hormones, which are to blame for pretty much everything.

There’s no trick to decoding your cravings, but there are some myths floating around the internet about why many women crave spicy foods during pregnancy.

Some people think it happens more if you’re having a boy, while others wonder if it’s some sort of natural instinct to cool down (literally — eating spicy food makes you sweat, and sweating lowers your body temp).

Either way, your taste buds often change during and after pregnancy, so don’t worry if you’re suddenly craving five-alarm chili. It probably isn’t a “sign” of anything worth noting.

Here’s some good news: Eating spicy food during pregnancy is 100 percent safe for your baby. Really! It can’t hurt your little one.

One small word of warning, though — 2019 research suggests that eating certain foods during pregnancy can change the “flavor” of your amniotic fluid. However, no studies have looked at spicy food intake specifically.

Nevertheless, you could be influencing your baby’s taste buds with all those buffalo chicken wraps, and they might show a preference for certain familiar flavors later on. Not that that’s a bad thing, just FYI.

Here’s the not-so-good news: While eating a lot of spicy food isn’t bad for your baby, it can cause some unpleasant side effects for you. Nothing dangerous, but satisfying the craving might not always be worth the pain of heartburn, indigestion, and GI distress afterward.

If you’re not used to eating spicy foods but pregnancy has given you a hankering for chili peppers, it’s smart to start slow.

Don’t eat spicy foods in high amounts or at every meal. Make sure you stay well hydrated. Prepare spicy food safely, by choosing quality ingredients and washing your hands after handling peppers.

And try to build up your tolerance to heat in increments rather than jumping straight to that ghost pepper tabasco with the skull and crossbones on the label, OK?

In the first trimester, eating spicy food isn’t likely to cause many issues, although it can aggravate morning sickness. If you’re already having trouble with all-day nausea and queasiness, spicy foods may make things worse.

In the second and third trimester, eating spicy food may cause:

  • heartburn, as your growing uterus forces stomach acids higher into your esophagus
  • indigestion
  • nausea
  • diarrhea, gas, and bloating
  • an increase in gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) symptoms

If you’re getting close to the end of your pregnancy and thinking about giving your labor a jump start, everyone from your mother to your grandmother to the guy in the apartment next door will probably tell you to eat something spicy.

This advice is so prevalent, in fact, that researchers actually studied it alongside other labor shortcuts (like walking, sex, and laxatives) back in 2011.

Researchers asked 201 postpartum women if they had tried to naturally induce labor and, if so, what methods they had used; of the 50 percent who reported they had tried self-inducing, 20 percent claimed they had eaten spicy foods to get the job done.

The only problem? There’s no science here to back this up. If you’re sitting pretty at 38 weeks with no dilation, chowing down on a plate of wings isn’t going to make your body suddenly ready for birth.

You might be willing to deal with the heartburn that comes with eating spicy foods if it means satisfying a powerful craving, but keep in mind that getting rid of pregnancy heartburn isn’t as easy as chugging Pepto-Bismol like it was in your pre-pregnancy days.

Not all over-the-counter drugs for heartburn, indigestion, and nausea are considered safe for pregnant women. Give your doctor a call if you’re experiencing severe or persistent GI symptoms, like:

  • diarrhea
  • burning pain
  • gas
  • cramping
  • bloating

Listen, mama: If you’ve got the stomach for it (pun intended), then you can eat all the spicy food you want during pregnancy! It won’t hurt you or your baby.

If you’re not used to heat, go slow — and if you start having uncomfortable side effects, limit how much and how often you douse your food in tabasco.

Is it possible for pregnant women to eat spicy food

May 8LikbezZdorovye

It all depends on the quantity.

Iya Zorina

Author of Lifehacker, athlete, CCM

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You can listen to the short version of the article. If it's more convenient for you, turn on the podcast. Can spicy food harm the unborn baby? Therefore, such food is not prohibited in any of the trimesters.

Moreover, some hot spices can be helpful. For example, capsaicin can have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and slightly boost metabolism. And black pepper piperine improves digestion and helps fight oxidative stress from free radical buildup.

Of course, while you are expecting a baby, you should not experiment with supplements or deliberately increase the amount of pepper in your diet. But if you usually eat spicy foods, there is no reason to refuse them after the onset of pregnancy.

Does spicy really help to induce labor?

Surveys have shown that some women have tried in one way or another to induce labour. Among the most popular methods were walking, sex and spicy food. The latter was used by 10.9% of respondents, believing that such food will cause excitement in the intestines and push the uterus into contractions.

Although scientists still do not know exactly what triggers labor, it is believed that this process begins under the influence of hormones released by the fetus. And therefore, all attempts by the mother to quickly resolve the burden, including eating spicy, will be ineffective.

Can spicy food harm a pregnant woman's digestion?

Pregnant women often suffer from heartburn due to fetal pressure on internal organs. And often in this condition, doctors recommend excluding spicy foods. However, scientific data do not yet confirm the positive effect of this approach.

What's more, one study found that capsaicin from hot peppers reduced stomach acid production and increased mucus secretion, which may be helpful for heartburn.

Of course, nothing like this has been tested on pregnant women, so don't use spicy food as a way to get rid of discomfort.

Moreover, an excess of hot spices can be dangerous in the long run. For example, one study calculated that eating spicy foods more than 10 times a week doubles your risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome, a condition that causes abdominal pain and problems with bowel movements.

So it's not worth getting carried away.

Read also 🌶🪆❓

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  • Can pregnant women dye their hair
  • What is the danger of Rh conflict during pregnancy and what to do about it
  • 12 exercises for pregnant women recommended by doctors

Proper nutrition during pregnancy - what you can and cannot eat

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    A woman's body has everything it needs to bear a healthy baby. However, good nutrition and the rejection of certain foods will help Mother Nature better fulfill this mission. What are the features of nutrition during pregnancy? Is it not enough to just eat well? What foods should you eat during pregnancy? Which foods should be limited, and which should be avoided completely? In this article, you will find answers to all your questions, as well as get important tips on nutrition during pregnancy.

    Our goal is to help you, but remember that every pregnancy is different and the best advice is no substitute for a visit to the doctor. Be sure to consult with your doctor about changes in your diet.

    Products should be abandoned during pregnancy

    The good news is that full nutrition during grateful is not much more characterized by healthy nutrition. Try to eat regularly and eat more natural, organic foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Minimize high-sugar and processed foods on your table.

    To be safe, avoid raw or undercooked meats, liver, sushi, raw eggs, soft cheeses, and unpasteurized milk and juices. Below we detail what foods to avoid during pregnancy 1,2,3 .

    • High mercury fish, raw fish and seafood

    Avoid high mercury fish such as macaira, swordfish, mackerel, whitefin tuna and tilefish. Canned diet tuna is allowed in moderation.

    Disappointing sushi lovers: Raw fish and seafood are also prohibited during pregnancy because they may contain bacteria or parasites. Smoked seafood should also be excluded from the menu.

    • Unpasteurized soft cheeses

    Soft cheeses such as feta, brie or camembert are also on the list of foods that pregnant women should not eat. They are made from raw milk and can therefore be contaminated with Listeria 4 .

    Practical tip: Look for the label that says the product has been pasteurized!

    • Unpasteurized milk and juices

    The same rule applies to juices and milk. Freshly squeezed and any unpasteurized juices may contain disease-causing bacteria (E. coli, listeria, salmonella) 5 and should not be consumed during pregnancy.

    • Raw eggs

    The list of foods that should not be consumed during pregnancy includes raw eggs, as well as foods containing raw protein or yolk - baking dough, soft-boiled eggs and scrambled eggs. Be wary of foods that contain undercooked eggs. These are salads, sauces, eggnog and ice cream. During pregnancy, you can only eat hard-boiled or pasteurized eggs.

    • Undercooked, undercooked or raw meat and poultry

    Raw and undercooked meats may be contaminated with listeria. It is better to play it safe and not to eat semi-finished meat products during pregnancy. Alternatively, steam them up. Chilled pâtés and meat spreads are also taboo. For whole cuts of meat, make sure they have been thoroughly cooked before eating.

    • Raw or undercooked sprouts

    Eating raw sprouts of alfalfa, radish, clover, legumes or any other plant may cause various foodborne illnesses. Sprouts should be cooked to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. 6 Unwashed fruits and vegetables, as well as store-bought salads, pose the same danger.

    Foods to limit during pregnancy

    Some products are not on the prohibited list. But if you want to stay healthy and happy while expecting a baby, it is better to reduce their consumption to a minimum:

    • Fresh meat with stuffing

    Be careful with stuffed meat. If you decide to buy a whole stuffed bird, make sure the meat is frozen. Bacteria can grow in fresh stuffed meat 7 .

    • Sweets, carbohydrates and fast food

    Despite the absence of convincing scientific evidence, products, FAST-FISTIONS OF ZHI is usually pledged expectant mothers. If you are one of the women who experience cravings for certain foods during pregnancy, try to find a healthy alternative. Do you always crave fried potatoes? Fry food in a small amount of oil or without oil in the multi-oven. This approach will allow you to enjoy delicious fried food, which contains 90% less fat*. However, remember that a balanced, healthy diet plays an important role in your safety and the safety of your unborn child.

    • Excess caffeine

    During pregnancy, it is important not only to avoid certain foods. You should also pay attention to what you drink. Drinks with a high content of caffeine are banned.

    The World Health Organization recommends that pregnant women who drink caffeinated beverages (more than 300 mg per day) reduce their daily caffeine intake to reduce the risk of miscarriage and neonatal weight loss 8 .

    Healthy nutrition tips for expectant mothers

    Pregnancy is a time of intensive growth and development of the baby. The physiological changes that occur in your body and properly organized nutrition will help turn this process into an exciting journey. Discuss your diet with your doctor. This will ensure that you are taking in the right amounts of the right nutrients. Here are some basic rules for a healthy, balanced diet during pregnancy:

    • Eat whole grains such as whole wheat bread and pasta, opt for lean meats or poultry, and aim for 230-350 grams of boiled fish per week (remember to choose fish that are low in mercury).
    • Your diet should include five main food groups: grains, fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy products. ukti. The other half - whole grain products 9 . Half of the conventional plate should be vegetables and fruits. The other half is whole grains.
    • Talk to your doctor about your diet and the need for prenatal vitamins and minerals, especially folic acid and iron. During pregnancy, women experience an increased need for vitamins and trace elements, and it is often difficult for them to get everything they need from food.
    • Choose foods rich in mono- or polyunsaturated fats, such as olive oil and avocados, and limit foods high in saturated fats and empty calories, such as candy and sugary drinks.

    Remember, before you change anything in your diet, be sure to consult your doctor.

    * Compared to fried potatoes cooked in a conventional deep fryer.

    1. https://www.foodsafety.gov/risk/pregnant/chklist_pregnancy.html
    2. https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/safe- eats-food-safety-moms-be
    3. https://www.fda.gov/media/83740/download
    4. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/foodborne-illness-and-disease/protect- your-baby-and-yourself-from-listeriosis/CT_Index
    5. https://www.foodsafety.gov/risk/pregnant/chklist_pregnancy.html
    6. https://www.foodsafety.

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