Spicy food is known to cause trouble during pregnancy. While your instincts will provoke you to grab a bite of something exceptionally spicy, your digestive system will have other plans for your body. Eating spicy food during pregnancy is considered to be a bad choice, especially when you are pregnant. This article will tell you what are the Indian spices to avoid during pregnancy and why.
What Are Spices? Are Spices Good for Pregnancy?
Spices are aromatic substances that comes either in the form of powder or as tiny pieces taken from the bark of trees. They are known to add flavour to your food and significantly enhances the taste of the dish. Most often, they contain natural spiciness that also has the potential to affect the body, when you are pregnant
Spicy food has been known to induce heartburn and make you uncomfortable. Spicy food during pregnancy can aggravate heartburn. Heartburn is particularly common in the final trimester, where the growing baby causes the stomach acids to move up into the esophagus, thus making you feel extremely uncomfortable.
See More: Foods and Drinks to Avoid During Pregnancy
Spices Not to Eat While Pregnant:
Here is a quick list that will come in handy when creating your diet plan.
1. Fenugreek:
Consumption of fenugreek seeds has a reverse effect on the uterus, and hence it is not advisable to be consumed by pregnant women. When fenugreek is taken raw, it can cause bloating, acidity troubles, gas problems and also diarrhoea. A very high dosage of fenugreek seeds can also cause retardation of growth in children.
2. Garlic:
Garlic is potentially toxic and is thus not advisable to be consumed during pregnancy. The Garlic has the power to cause bodily harm to both you and your baby as it could cause bleeding and heartburn. Watch out for the quantity you consume.
3. Peppermint Tea:
Peppermint tea helps in the relaxation of the uterus, but this increases the risk of miscarriage. Applying peppermint oil during these times can cause menstruation and one have to be extra cautious before using peppermint available in any form. Anything that has peppermint dosage in it can be a potential threat to the baby.
4. Asafoetida:
Commonly known as hing, asafoetida is a regular spice available in the market easily. This is a strict no during pregnancy since the consumption of this spice can also lead to miscarriage. It may also cause blood loss. It can cause problems with one’s blood pressure too.
See More: Healthy Foods For Pregnant Women
Eating Spicy When Pregnant: What Are The Spices?
Here is a list of the spices which can cause no body harm during pregnancy and can be consumed safely.
1. Ginger:
One of the most helpful home remedies that are available in our kitchen is ginger. Ginger can cure morning sickness, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, some of the common pregnancy problems.
How to Include: 1 gram of ginger for about four days can give you relief. Include this in your daily food preparation or take them in your chai.
2. Turmeric:
Turmeric is another very beneficial spice during pregnancy. The Turmeric is an attested pain reliever. The curcumin in turmeric is known to be a natural detoxifier that can protect the liver from any damage of alcohol consumption and other chemicals. Turmeric can also help relieve oxidative stress.
How to Include: 8 grams a day is a good dosage while pregnant. Include this when you make your daily Indian food.
3. Cardamom:
The Cardamom can never come in your list of spices to avoid during pregnancy. Cardamom is the go-to spice for nausea. It can relieve your morning sickness.
How to Include: Use about 3-4 pods of cardamom in your morning glass of tea. Add this while brewing. Alternatively, you can also use this to enhance the taste of your food.
4. Black Pepper:
Black pepper is rich in chromium and also helps in preventing diabetes or heart disease. If you increase your consumption of black pepper, it will increase chromium and hence will help in decreasing the chance of getting diabetes.
How to Include: 30mcg is the recommended dosage of black pepper. The best way to use it is to include it in your curry or other dishes that you prepare.
5. Chives:
Chives are a natural agent rich in folate. Pregnant women need folic acid for the fetus brain development, cell division and other body development. If you have enough folate level in your diet, this could prevent neural tube defects.
How to Include: Use a teaspoon of chopped chives in your soup or salad every day.
See More: Common Food Cravings During Pregnancy
Side Effects Of Eating Spices During Pregnancy:
Here are some things that can happen to you and your baby when you indulge in the intake of spices.
1. Heartburn:
The most common thing that can happen to you when you are having spicy food during pregnancy is heartburn. The growing baby will push the stomach acid up to your esophagus, thus giving you discomfort. Besides, eating spicy food will aggravate the acid reflux in the latter months of your pregnancy.
2. Morning Sickness:
The next prevalent thing is morning sickness. Certain kind of tastes and smell can trigger morning sickness, thereby putting you in a potential discomfort throughout.
If you are craving spicy food during pregnancy, remember you are not alone. But it is a big no for a lot of the reasons we have mentioned above. In moderation, all of the spices are recommended. However, it is a must that you exercise caution on how much and how you take them.
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers:
Q1. Can You Eat Spicy Food While Breastfeeding?
Ans: Mild spicy food is considered okay while breastfeeding, but remember what you will reflect in the milk too. So, if you notice your baby irritable while breastfeeding, remember that it is your spicy food.
Q2. Can Eating Spicy Food Cause Miscarriage?
Ans: This has been considered as a myth. Eating certain kinds of spices in excess can trigger a miscarriage. But, eating spicy food does not particularly cause anything. The key is to watch on the amount you eat. Anything in moderation is safe for you and the baby.
Q3. What Are The Myths About Eating Spices When Pregnant?
Ans: Well, there are two. The first myth is that spicy food can trigger premature labour. The second myth that we want to debunk is that spices can trigger miscarriage and congenital abilities. The third myth is eating spicy food can cause blindness in one’s baby.
