Eating Pineapple While Pregnant – Is it Safe?
Everything You Need to Know About Eating Pineapple While Pregnant
A lot of women wonder if they can eat pineapple while pregnant, and the answer is... it depends! Some research has indicated that eating lots of pineapple during pregnancy can increase your baby’s risk of skin rashes and other problems, so you’ll need to be cautious about how much you eat while you’re carrying your little one. If you’re worried about this, or just want to learn more about eating pineapple while pregnant, keep reading to learn more about what the research has to say on the topic, as well as tips on safe pineapple eating while pregnant.
Can I Eat Pineapple While Pregnant?
Women have been wondering if it’s safe to eat pineapple while pregnant for years. It turns out that pineapple is a great choice for pregnant women because it contains a number of nutrients that are crucial to fetal development and overall maternal health, including folic acid and vitamin C. According to one study, eating at least one serving of fresh fruit daily during pregnancy may reduce your child’s risk of developing behavioral disorders like ADHD as well as improve their cognitive performance as they grow older. That being said, there are some exceptions when it comes to pineapple and pregnancy—especially if you’re at an increased risk of miscarriage or have a history of preeclampsia. In these cases, speak with your doctor before eating pineapple in any form while pregnant.
Health Risks
Although eating pineapple during pregnancy is safe for most women, there are some health risks. Because you’re carrying a baby, you should always get advice from your doctor before adding any new foods to your diet. If your doctor gives you their blessing to eat pineapple during pregnancy, be sure to stick with just one serving per day. The high acidity in pineapple can make it difficult for those with sensitive stomachs to digest, which could cause heartburn or indigestion. It’s also important to note that pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein. Some people worry that bromelain will break down their unborn child’s protein and cause birth defects—but again, these fears have no scientific basis.
Is There a Safe Amount of Pineapple to Eat?
A baby’s taste buds begin developing in utero, so if your prenatal vitamins are giving you a metallic taste and you want to mask it with something sweet and tangy, pineapple is an easy go-to. But is there such thing as too much of a good thing? According to some experts, yes—in fact, pineapple can cause indigestion and heartburn for pregnant women who eat it frequently. However, others say that eating pineapple while pregnant is perfectly safe as long as you don’t overdo it. So what gives? According to dietician Erin Palinski-Wade Pineapple contains bromelain, which breaks down protein but also helps digest food by breaking down fats in our stomachs.
Studies on Pineapples
Many of us have heard that pineapple can aid in digestion and ward off illness. But if you’re hoping to use pineapples as a way to prevent morning sickness during pregnancy, there’s no evidence that it will help. According to a study published in 2014 in The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, eating three or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day while pregnant could reduce your risk of miscarriage and provide some protection against fetal death. However, pineapple was not included in their research. Still, pineapple contains bromelain—an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties—which might make it easier for your body to absorb nutrients from other foods.
Conclusion
It’s safe to eat pineapple while pregnant. In fact, it may even help reduce your risk of giving birth prematurely or having a baby with neural tube defects such as spina bifida. A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women who ate pineapple two or more times per week had an 11 percent lower risk of delivering their babies too early than those who didn’t consume pineapple at all. This is because pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein and has been shown to prevent inflammation in pregnancy. However, you should avoid eating raw pineapple if you have a history of kidney stones; otherwise, go ahead and enjoy!