Is pineapple safe to eat in pregnancy?
When you are pregnant, you may feel overwhelmed by things you can and cannot do in pregnancy. Some of this will be legitimate health advice, some from well-meaning friends and family, and other snippets may be complete unsolicited nonsense. So here we tackle the question, is pineapple safe to eat in pregnancy?
Is pineapple safe to eat in pregnancy?
The short answer is yes; it is safe to eat pineapple when pregnant.
Why I have I heard it may not be safe?
Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain tablets aren’t recommended for pregnant women. They can break down down proteins in the body and can also cause abnormal bleeding. Bromelain is found in the core of a pineapple and only a tiny amount is in the flesh – which is the part you eat. Therefore, the amount of bromelain you would consume in one serving of pineapple would be minimal.
In short: eating a normal amount of pineapple isn’t likely to affect your pregnancy.
Is pineapple good for me in pregnancy?
Pineapple actually contains a lot of vitamin C. One cup contains nearly the recommended daily amount for a woman to eat! Pineapple is also a good source of:
- Folate
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B-6
These nutrients all help your baby to grow and develop whilst in the womb. Eating pineapple as part of a balanced diet is a great way to get these nutrients to both you and your baby.
Can pineapple bring on labour?
Some believe that the enzyme bromelain can “ripen” your cervix and bring on contractions. In reality, you’d actually need to eat a truck load for it to be effective! This will likely actually cause you to have a dodgy tummy.
Can anything else bring on labour?
Anything that irritates your bowel can also irritate your uterus into contracting. If you’ve ever been overdue you’ve likely been recommended a hot curry, and this follows this theory. The evidence to support these theories isn’t actually there, although other than a dodgy tummy they will do no harm.
If you want a list on things that can be done to kick start inducing labour that doesn’t involve hiking hills, then I’ve got your back. Head here to read The Lazy Girl Guide to Inducing Labour.
Click the link for more information about The Bump to Baby Chapter’s Hypnobirthing and Antenatal Online Course. Know what you can do to stack the odds in your favour for the birth that you want. Videos, checklists, audios & a support group all created by a midwife to get you feeling excited, prepared and confident for birth.
Photo credits: @gillsmithx
