Craving spicy food during pregnancy boy

Anyone who has experienced pregnancy cravings knows they don’t always make sense, but getting your hands on the foods you desire is an absolute must. If you've been yearning for spicy foods—whether it's hot chili or buffalo wings—you might worry if the heat will impact your developing baby.

Spicy food during pregnancy first trimester

Thankfully, experts say it's generally safe to eat spicy foods while pregnant. “There's no evidence to suggest that moderate consumption of spicy foods poses a significant risk to the developing fetus," says Shandra Scruggs, RN, a labor and delivery nurse, doula, and founder of Simply Birthed.

"However, it's important to note that every pregnancy is unique, and individual sensitivities may vary."

Keep reading to learn more about the safety of consuming spicy food while pregnant, potential benefits, side effects, and what it means if you're craving some heat.

Safety of Spicy Food While Pregnant

You might have heard that spicy food isn't safe for pregnancy, but this is a myth. Spicy foods won't impact your developing baby—though

is hot sauce bad while pregnant

is hot sauce bad for pregnancy