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There’s no use in arguing. Don’t even try. Pineapples are the best. In fact, I would go so far as to say that they are the most perfect fruit ever invented.
I love pineapple. I will eat pineapple until my mouth becomes raw, and even then, I’ll keep eating until I realize I am wasting perfectly good pineapple that I could enjoy later when I can actually taste it. My personal theory is that your mouth eventually becomes raw as some sort of defense mechanism to keep you from gorging to the point that you explode!
Now, you may have heard that pineapple is not safe to eat while pregnant or breastfeeding.
What?! Sacrilege!
Or maybe not.
Sorry, I’m just a little passionate about food. Especially perfect food. Perfect, juicy, sweet food.
I heard this the day after my husband brought me home a big, beautiful, sure-to-be-delicious, fresh pineapple. So, of course, I didn’t waste any time to find out whether this outrageous claim was true or not.
And now that I have an answer, I will share it with all of you.
There are approximately a thousand and one “old wives’ tales” surrounding pregnancy.
Some are relatively accurate, while some are absolute nonsense.
One of these old wives’ tales is that pineapple is unsafe to eat while pregnant because it can cause miscarriage or premature labor. And it falls somewhere in the middle of accurate and outrageous.
There is some science behind this claim. Pineapples contain a high amount of bromelain, an enzyme that digests protein. Bromelain is what makes your mouth so sore if you eat too much pineapple; it’s literally eating you while you eat it.
Pineapple, the fruit that bites back.
Anyway, aside from a sore mouth, the reason bromelain is dangerous while pregnant is that it can soften the cervix, leading to early labor or miscarriage. It’s why you shouldn’t take bromelain capsules while pregnant.
Bromelain can also cause nausea, diarrhea, and menstrual bleeding. It can cause allergic reactions, especially if you’re already prone to allergies. Further, bromelain can increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery, which includes C-sections.
Sounds pretty bleak for all us pineapple lovers out there (which really means everyone because, seriously, who doesn’t love pineapple?)
But there’s always another side to the coin.
Yes, bromelain is bad in large doses. But while pineapples are high in bromelain, you’d have to eat a whole lot of it before the bromelain gets to a dangerous level. I’m talking like seven to ten pineapples in one go.
Even I think that’s a little excessive.
If you have a healthy pregnancy, pineapple is safe to eat in reasonable amounts. A reasonable amount being no more than 250 grams (8 ounces) in a day.
While pineapples are not dangerous for most pregnant women, there are, as always, some exceptions.
Aside from being the best tasting fruit ever, pineapples are packed full of health benefits. Not just for you, but for baby too.
Pineapples are generally safe to eat while pregnant, but what about afterward when baby has arrived, and it’s time to breastfeed?
Two different stages of life, two different set of rules.
Pineapples almost always wind up on the list of foods to avoid while breastfeeding, along with other acidic, high vitamin C fruits.
Vitamin C is, of course, good for you, but the acidity is also hard on your baby’s digestive tract. This can result in diaper rash, fussiness, and lots of spit up. Citrus and other acidic fruits, like pineapples, can also give your milk a pungent flavor, to which your baby may object.
All in all, it’s probably best to avoid pineapple while breastfeeding or at least limit it to a tiny amount. If you do indulge, remember that it can take up to 14 days of cutting something out of your diet before it is erased from your breast milk. So if your baby doesn’t react well to pineapple, she may be cranky for a while.
As for me, I’m not at the breastfeeding stage yet, although it’s coming soon. So, while I can, I think I’m going to send my husband out for some groceries, and pineapple will be at the top of the list.
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One Comment
Tracey-Lee Rall
Such a cool article… Got to the Bromelain part when I ate the last piece of the whole pineapple! ha ha ha!
Oh well, my craving is Pineapple and Strawberry yogurt. Love your writing style, so fun and interesting!