Even if a woman did not like spicy food before, it happens that during pregnancy she is endlessly drawn to hot foods: peppered dishes, adjika or hot dogs with spicy sauce and mustard. Is there a real threat to the health of the mother and fetus from such gastronomic hobbies, or is there nothing wrong with them?
To begin with, it is worth understanding what spicy food consists of. For example, foods that are spiced by chili peppers are rich in substances like capsaicin. They are absorbed into the blood when consumed, but at the same time, they cannot harm the unborn child or the course of pregnancy. Doctors, as a rule, do not prohibit such food in any trimesters except for individual contraindications. But it is still better to refrain from some spicy foods.
Is it possible for pregnant women to acute?
During the period of bearing a baby, women often suffer from heartburn. This is because the fetus presses on the mother’s internal organs, especially in the later stages. Based on this, doctors do not advise eating spicy foods in order not to provoke heartburn once again.
In any case, when it comes to pregnancy, it is always better to once again consult with your doctor! And of course, watch how you feel after meals – our body always gives us obvious clues.
You should not overuse spicy food also because after veit you want to drink a lot. A large volume of fluid during pregnancy can cause swelling, heaviness and increased stress on the kidneys and heart of the expectant mother.
Even with a large amount of spicy food eaten at a time, burning symptoms are possible when going to the toilet. This is because some substances contained in peppered dishes are not completely digested and can partially leave the body through feces and urine. This is especially alarming for pregnant women suffering from hemorrhoids and other inflammations of an intimate nature. In these cases, the burning sensation can be very strong and even cause an exacerbation of the disease.
Is it ok to eat rolls and sushi during pregnancy?
Nutritionists warn of the dangers of pregnant women addicted to Japanese cuisine and such dishes as sushi and rolls. And now we are not even talking about the controversial issue of eating raw fish, but about the sauces that are inseparable from these dishes. It is difficult to imagine a serving of Japanese delicacies without wasabi and soy sauce, and it is in them that a possible threat to pregnant women lurks.
Wasabi is distinguished by its special sharpness. It adds a savory flavor and antimicrobial effect to raw fish dishes. Wasabi irritates the gastrointestinal tract, so a sensitive organism of the expectant mother can cause nausea and gas formation.
An equally dangerous product for women in position is soy sauce. It has a high content of salt and sugar. Such an amount of salt leads to an increase in blood pressure and vascular spasm, and this limits the flow of blood to the brain. In addition, the huge amount of sugar in soy sauce increases the risk of a fungal infection (thrush).
Risk of preterm birth by eating spicy food during pregnancy?
Our culture has long held beliefs that there are some ways to induce labor. Women often resort to them when the planned delivery date has already come up, but nothing happens. Among the most popular methods are sex, active long walking and spicy food. It is believed that spicy foods cause disturbances in the stomach and thus can push the uterus to contract and cause childbirth.
There is no scientific evidence for such experiments. Scientists still haven’t found any reason to go into labor other than to release hormones, so the methods above are unlikely to have any effect.
Useful effects of spicy food during pregnancy
According to surveys among expectant mothers, the most common taste preferences during pregnancy are sweet, salty and spicy foods. The hormonal background changes and gastric juice production decreases in women. Partly because of this, the body constantly requires spicy and salty. Therefore, we can safely say that spicy and salty foods in small quantities are useful for blood circulation and stimulating the production of juice in the stomach.
Also, some mothers note that during pregnancy (especially in the first trimester), spicy food helps them cope with toxicosis and nausea.
It is worth noting onions and garlic if we are talking about spicy foods in general, not just about peppers. After all, these are well-known natural antibiotics. They help fight against viruses and bacteria and support the vulnerable immunity of a pregnant woman. Black pepper contains extremely beneficial chromium in moderation.
What other spices add spice to dishes? Of course, ginger. Its root is added to dishes and drinks in dried and fresh form. It helps to strengthen the immune system and lowers blood cholesterol levels.
There is also a relatively spicy spice – curry. This is an Indian spice that has long become familiar in our kitchen. It consists of turmeric, which has been famous for its miraculous properties since ancient times. Such as lowering intraocular pressure and reducing the risk of tumor formation in the body.
And such seasoning in dishes like bay leaf helps improve digestion and relieve bloating. In addition, bay leaves can relieve muscle pain and clear the airways.
Do not forget that “everything is poison and everything is medicine,” and any product is useful to a certain extent, but you should not overuse it. Especially during pregnancy and lactation.
How much spicy food during pregnancy is safe?
There is no single answer to this question and there cannot be. It all depends on many factors, even on the country of residency. After all, if you were born somewhere in India and are accustomed to the spicy national cuisine, your body is already much more adapted to it than a resident of other countries.
And in Chinese culture, all food is bland, so spicy food is unusual for the body. This is a very generalized example because each family has its own food culture, which could develop over generations, so focus on yourself and your usual diet.
You should be careful if you have ever had problems with the liver and gastrointestinal tract. In this case, you should be on the lookout for savory dishes so as not to provoke new diseases and disorders in the body.
If you notice discomfort in your body after eating spicy foods, it is best to stop eating these foods and consult your doctor. Even in small amounts, any ingredient can be rejected specifically by your body, especially during pregnancy. Consider your condition when choosing a diet.
It is worth remembering how you ate before pregnancy. If your diet has always included savory foods and spicy foods, continue to eat them now (unless there are contraindications from your doctor). Pregnancy is not the time for regular experiments with food. It is better to keep your usual type of food so as not to cause stress to the body.
Modern gynecologists advise reducing the consumption of highly spicy and salty foods in the third trimester of pregnancy since the pressure on the stomach during this period increases greatly. You can always replace a forbidden delicacy with something and agree with your body, especially if there are individual contraindications in the later stages.
Medicine strongly discourages everyone (and especially pregnant women) from eating spicy food before bed. And in the morning on an empty stomach, you should not do this either so as not to irritate the intestinal mucosa. Better leave salty and spicy for lunch.
Before including spicy and salty foods in your diet, consult your doctor and take the necessary tests to eliminate all risks. So you can enjoy food without fear for the unborn baby. Knowing your characteristics, you can choose the optimal diet and balance the amount of spices consumed.
