Is spicy food safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about spicy food during pregnancy?

1. Eating capsaicin, the compound that makes food spicy, hasn't been shown to raise the chance of birth defects or other pregnancy complications. 1
2. Concentrated capsaicin products like creams, patches, and high-dose supplements are a different story than food-level spice, so ask your provider before using those. 1
3. Spicy food isn't on the CDC's list of restricted foods for pregnancy. Those restrictions focus on Listeria risks, raw or undercooked animal products, and high-mercury seafood instead. 2
4. ACOG's pregnancy nutrition guidance encourages a varied diet and doesn't call out any cuisine or spice level as off-limits. 3

Is spicy food safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. Nausea in the first trimester often narrows what foods you can tolerate. Spicy food is fine as long as your stomach agrees with it.
• Second trimester. Same guidance. Many people find spicy meals easier to handle again once first-trimester nausea fades.
• Third trimester. Same guidance. Heartburn usually peaks in the third trimester, and very spicy meals can make reflux worse, though they won't bring on labor.