11. What spices to avoid in pregnancy?
Excess use of peppermint, poppy seeds, and nutmeg could be avoided when pregnant. Moreover, according to the American Pregnancy Association, saw palmetto, ephedra, passion flower, and pennyroyal are among the herbs that are best avoided during pregnancy.
12. Is it safe to consume pepper during the first trimester of pregnancy?
Gynecologist & obstetrician Dr. Nisarg Patel says, “Yes, you can eat pepper during the first trimester of your pregnancy, as long as you consume it in moderation. Pepper is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, manganese, antioxidants, and other nutrients. It can also help improve your immunity, digestion, blood pressure, and mood. However, eating too much pepper can cause some side effects such as acidity, heartburn, indigestion, a burning sensation, and even miscarriage in rare cases. Therefore, it is advisable to limit your intake of pepper to no more than one teaspoon per day.”