Who doesn’t like spicy food?
When your meals are a little dull, chili can easily make it more fun by giving it a nice kick.
But here’s the thing – is chili bad for pregnancy? Can expecting mamas devour spicy food without any serious consequences to their baby?
Sure, you enjoy a fun and exciting meal. But since what you eat is also what your baby eats, it is important to pay attention to any potential effects your food offers.
Let’s get down to the facts on eating chili during pregnancy right here.
Spicy Food – Know the Basics
If you have always been fond of spicy dishes pre-pregnancy, here’s the good news – there’s no need to avoid them completely for your baby bump.
In fact, you can still cook your favorite hot dishes and add some chilies to them without any problem.
However, here’s the catch:
Very spicy food can cause heartburn and indigestion. These are conditions some pregnant experience. It is more of the aftereffect of consuming spicy food that is a concern.
As for other women, they may hardly ever experience anything different at all. But again, this varies from one person to another.
Now, as for safety when it comes to eating chili during pregnancy…
You have probably heard some old wives’ tales or myths revolving around spicy food and moms being on labor too soon.
But the truth is that this is just like that – a myth.
There is no scientific evidence that backs it up, so we can write this one off as nothing but an anecdotal tale.
However, the fact remains that chili does stimulate your digestion and cause you to go to the bathroom quicker than when you do not eat a ton of spicy food. But premature labor or childbirth has nothing to do with spicy food at all.
Pregnancy and the Best Diet
Now that we know that chili is not bad at all during pregnancy, here’s another question:
What should you consume to help your child’s development?
A healthy pregnancy diet requires plenty of fresh produce and quality protein sources. You need a good supply of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which you can get from whole foods. These are also excellent sources of fiber that can keep you feeling full and satiated longer.
It should not hurt to eat some spicy food once in a while during your pregnancy.
Since there are no solid facts leading to those assumptions that spicy food can hurt your child, then you can go ahead and eat it a few times a week.
Garlic, chili, and similar spices are safe to add into your recipes. But just as long as you maintain a balanced diet, it should be beneficial to your child’s growth and development.
Spicy Food During Each Trimester
During the first trimester, your baby is still starting to develop.
If you feel like eating spicy food during this time, there is no need to hold back.
While it is one of the most delicate phases of pregnancy due to miscarriages, there are no scientific studies stating you should stop eating chili. The important thing is that you are consuming it in moderation.
As for the second and third trimesters, it is essential to pay close attention to how your body is feeling.
These are tough stages during pregnancy since you are getting closer and closer to childbirth.
Some women are experiencing acid reflux and heartburn, which becomes more intense due to spicy food.
Again, there is no impact on your baby but it does not help in making you feel great after eating.
On the other hand, it would not hurt to eat some chili, as long as you do so in moderation. This way, you can minimize nasty heartburns that are common during these trimesters.
Read More: Can You Eat Flamin Hot Cheetos While Pregnant? Quick Facts You Should Know
Are There Risks When Eating Chili?
For the most part, it is the discomfort that pregnant women experience from acid reflux caused by spicy food.
In addition, there are also cases when morning sickness tends to get worse. Spicy food irritates your digestion because of an increase in acid. This is why it may be difficult for women who suffer from morning sickness and nausea.
If you simply cannot avoid eating spicy food, there are certain things you can do to minimize the effects.
For instance, you can drink some milk, which can help ease heartburn. A little bit of honey also does the trick. These are cooling food items that can turn the heat down and positively impact your digestion.
Best Ways to Consume Spicy Food
Here’s some good news – spicy food may be OK to eat during pregnancy.
As long as you consume it in moderation and apply certain techniques, it should be all good.
Eat spices in small amounts. This is particularly true if you are trying out a new one that you have not eaten before.
Make it a habit to read labels for the expiration dates before you add these spices to your dishes.
If you want to really eat spicy food, be sure to limit it to one meal a day. Do not overload yourself with spicy food to reduce the possibilities of heartburn.
It is even better if you are cooking spicy food yourself. While it is more convenient – and more authentic – to buy from a restaurant, there is no way to know how much spices they put in the dish. By cooking it yourself, you can adjust the level of spiciness that is well-tolerated by your body.
By making simple tweaks to your recipes, you can still enjoy eating spicy food during pregnancy. Please check out this video for additional tips you need to know about chili and spices for pregnant women.
