Pregnancy is an exciting journey, often accompanied by intense cravings. One frequent craving is for spicy food. But is it safe to indulge in hot flavours while expecting? You used to have a low-to-medium tolerance for spicy food, but now that you are pregnant, you crave everything from chicken wings to roasted cauliflower to potato chips. Is all that heat safe for you and your baby? Here is what you need to know if pregnancy has you putting hot sauce on almost everything (except your breakfast cereal). Let us find out in this article from the leading nutritionist and dietician for pregnancy, Avni Kaul, in this blog.
Do cravings for spicy foods have any significance?
Pregnancy cravings can be strange, like pickles with ice cream or marinara sauce over canned tuna. Hormones are usually to blame. While there is no way to decode these cravings, some myths suggest that craving spicy foods means you are having a boy or that it is a natural instinct to cool down by sweating. However, taste buds often change during pregnancy, so craving five-alarm chili isn’t a sign of anything significant.
Are spicy foods safe for your baby?
Good news: Eating spicy food during pregnancy is completely safe for your baby. It won’t harm your little one. A small note, though — 2019 research suggests that what you eat can change the flavour of your amniotic fluid. While no studies have specifically examined spicy foods, you might be influencing your baby’s future taste preferences with those buffalo chicken wraps. Not a bad thing, just something to keep in mind.
Are spicy foods safe for you during pregnancy?
Here’s the not-so-good news: While indulging in spicy food won’t harm your baby, it might cause some discomfort for you. Though not dangerous, the aftermath of heartburn, indigestion, and GI distress may outweigh the craving satisfaction. If spicy foods aren’t part of your usual diet but pregnancy sparks a desire for chili peppers, it is wise to ease into it.
Avoid excessive consumption and ensure proper hydration. Safely prepare spicy dishes by using quality ingredients and washing your hands after handling peppers.
Rather than diving straight into the hottest options, gradually increase your tolerance to heat. Steer clear of that ghost pepper tabasco alright?
What could be the possible side effects by trimester?
During the first trimester, consuming spicy food is unlikely to lead to significant issues, although it may exacerbate morning sickness. If you are already grappling with persistent nausea and queasiness, spicy foods could intensify these symptoms. In the second and third trimesters, eating spicy food may result in:…
Read Here: https://nutriactivania.com/spicy-food-pregnancy-dietician-avnikaul/
