Can You Eat Spicy Food While Pregnant?

Craving something spicy during pregnancy? You’re not alone, and the good news is that it’s usually safe!

From chili cravings to hot sauce obsessions, this guide breaks down the benefits, risks, and common myths around eating spicy food while expecting.

Here's what you need to know before turning up the heat.

Can You Eat Spicy Food While Pregnant?

Yes, you can eat spicy food while pregnant as long as it does not cause significant discomfort or digestive issues.

While spicy foods can sometimes lead to heartburn or indigestion, they are not harmful to your baby and will not affect fetal development. For most pregnant women, enjoying a little heat is perfectly safe.

Whether you are craving chili-laced noodles, hot Cheetos, or love adding hot sauce to everything, you are not alone. Cravings for spicy food during pregnancy are common and usually harmless. But as with all things related to pregnancy, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Potential Benefits of Eating Spicy Food While Pregnant

Eating spicy food during pregnancy might feel like a guilty pleasure, but it can come with a few surprising upsides.

Satisfy Cravings

Some women crave spicy food during pregnancy for a mix of biological and psychological reasons. Hormonal changes can alter taste and smell, making bold flavors like spice more appealing or helping counter nausea.

Spicy foods also trigger feel-good brain chemicals, which might offer a mood boost or a sense of relief. Culturally, pregnancy is often seen as a time when it's okay to indulge, so women may feel more permission to eat foods they’d normally avoid [*].

Natural Decongestant

Spicy foods can be a surprising ally during pregnancy when you're dealing with sinus congestion. This kind of congestion happens when mucus doesn’t drain properly, leading to pressure, headaches, and post-nasal drip.

Spicy foods like chili peppers contain capsaicin, a compound that irritates the mucous membranes just enough to trigger a runny nose. This helps loosen blockages and clear out your sinuses naturally. So if you're feeling stuffed up, something with a little heat might offer quick and tasty relief [*].

Boosted Metabolism

Capsaicin, found in spicy foods, can help boost metabolism during pregnancy by enhancing energy use and fat breakdown. Studies show it supports healthy cholesterol levels and improves the balance of bile acids, which aids digestion and metabolism.

Capsaicin also reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, promoting overall cellular health. Moderate consumption of capsaicin may support better metabolic function and energy balance for expecting moms [*].

Can Increase Satiety

Spicy foods can help some people feel full faster and may reduce overall calorie intake. This can be helpful if you’re trying to cut down on snacking. However, individual responses vary, so the effect isn’t the same for everyone [*].

Potential Risks of Eating Spicy Food While Pregnant

Spicy food doesn’t pose any kind of immediate threat to your baby, but it can make you uncomfortable. Especially in the later stages of pregnancy.

Heartburn and Acid Reflux

Eating spicy foods during pregnancy can often trigger heartburn and acid reflux. This happens because pregnancy hormones relax the muscle that keeps stomach acid from rising, and the growing uterus puts extra pressure on the stomach. Spicy ingredients like capsaicin can irritate the digestive tract, making the burning sensation worse.

Heartburn is especially common in the later stages of pregnancy, so it’s a good idea to limit spicy foods and talk to your doctor if symptoms become uncomfortable [*].

Digestive Discomfort

Eating spicy foods during pregnancy can sometimes irritate your digestive system by making the gut more sensitive and causing discomfort, such as heartburn or stomach pain.

Ingredients like capsaicin, the compound that makes food spicy, can trigger inflammation or increase digestive sensitivity, which tends to be higher during pregnancy because of hormonal changes [*].

Can Cause Diarrhea

Spicy foods can also cause diarrhea because compounds like capsaicin can speed up digestion and irritate the lining of the intestines. This irritation can increase fluid secretion and bowel movements, leading to loose stools or diarrhea.

During pregnancy, the digestive system is already more sensitive due to hormonal changes, so eating spicy foods may make this effect more noticeable and cause digestive upset like diarrhea [*].

Why Am I Craving Spicy Food During Pregnancy?

Craving spicy food during pregnancy is normal and is often caused by hormonal changes, increased blood flow, or shifts in your taste preferences.

It could be a mix of things like hormonal changes, your body’s nutritional needs, and even cultural or emotional factors. Also, things like your body weight or whether you’ve dieted before might affect what you crave [*].

Does Craving Spicy Food Mean You Are Having a Boy or Girl?

Craving spicy food doesn't mean you're having a boy or a girl. It's just a common pregnancy craving and not linked to your baby’s gender. The only way to know your baby’s gender for sure is through medical tests like a blood test or ultrasound [*].

Does Spicy Food Induce Labor?

Spicy food is often mentioned as a way to start labor, but there’s no solid evidence to support this claim.

Some people think it might work by irritating the digestive system, but that theory hasn’t been proven. In fact, more commonly reported labor triggers include walking, sex, and nipple stimulation.

While eating spicy food during pregnancy is usually safe if you enjoy it, it’s unlikely to actually bring on labor [*].

Which Spices Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy?

Most spices used in cooking are safe when consumed in normal amounts. However, large doses of certain herbs or concentrated supplements might pose risks.

Use caution with the following in large amounts:

• Licorice: Linked to developmental issues in the baby; avoid in all forms [*].
• Sassafras: Sassafras should be avoided during pregnancy because it contains safrole, a compound shown to be toxic and potentially carcinogenic [*].
• Pennyroyal: Highly toxic and can cause serious complications, including miscarriage [*].

Common spices like turmeric, cumin, chili powder, garlic, and paprika are generally safe to consume during pregnancy.

Spicy Food and Pregnancy FAQ

Can you eat hot chips while pregnant?

Yes, hot chips, including spicy snacks like Hot Cheetos, are safe to eat in moderation during pregnancy.

A recent study from the Danish National Birth Cohort found no association between overall dietary patterns, including sodium intake, and the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy [*].

However, hot chips are often high in sodium and low in nutritional value, so it’s best to balance them with a healthy, nutrient-dense diet [*].

Can you eat hot sauce while pregnant?

Yes, hot sauce is generally safe while pregnant.

Just check the label for ingredients like excessive salt or preservatives and pay attention to any side effects like heartburn when eating them [*][*].

Can you eat jalapeños during pregnancy?

Yes, you can eat jalapeños during pregnancy, as long as they don’t upset your stomach.

Jalapeños are packed with vitamins like A, C, and folate, plus antioxidants and a compound called capsaicin that may help with blood sugar and appetite.

That said, spicy foods can trigger heartburn or digestive issues, especially later in pregnancy, so listen to your body [*].

Does eating spicy food affect the baby?

No, spicy food does not affect the baby in a harmful way, but it might shape their taste buds.

Research shows that babies can actually taste what you eat through the amniotic fluid, and they react to different flavors, even making faces in the womb [*].

While the study looked at foods like carrots and kale, it suggests that eating a variety of flavors during pregnancy, including spicy ones, could influence what your baby likes later on [*].

Does spicy food make the fetus move?

Spicy food doesn’t directly cause a baby to move, but some moms notice more kicks around mealtimes.

Research shows babies tend to move more when the mom is hungry and settle down after she eats. This may be an instinctive way for the fetus to signal a need for food.

So, if you feel more movement after eating something spicy, it’s probably due to changes in your blood sugar or digestion, not the spice itself [*].

Can babies taste spicy food in the womb?

Yes, babies can experience flavors from the amniotic fluid starting around the second trimester.

While they do not taste spice the way adults do, flavor molecules from what you eat can be detected in the fluid they swallow [*].

Does spicy food cause miscarriage?

No, spicy food does not directly cause miscarriage.

This is a common myth with no medical evidence behind it. Miscarriages are typically caused by genetic or structural factors and not by the type of food you eat [*].

The Bottom Line

Spicy food is generally safe to eat during pregnancy, as long as it doesn’t cause too much discomfort, like heartburn or digestive issues.

It won’t harm your baby, cause miscarriage, or bring on labor, despite what some myths say. In fact, spicy foods might even help with things like congestion or cravings.

Just listen to your body and enjoy it in moderation. If something doesn’t sit well with you, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor.

About MiracleCord

At MiracleCord, we understand how important it is to be prepared when it comes to your family's health. That’s why we offer cord blood and tissue banking services that provide peace of mind and a valuable resource for your family’s future medical needs.

Our state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated team are committed to collecting, processing, and storing your baby’s stem cells with the highest level of care. Choosing MiracleCord is a smart and proactive way to help protect your family’s long-term health.

If you’d like to learn more, you can download our free information kit or call us at 888.743.2673.

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.The materials and information contained on the MiracleCord website is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to, and does not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis, and should not be used as such. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. If you are seeking personal medical advice, you should consult with a licensed physician. Always consult with a qualified health care provider regarding a medical condition.