Pineapple And Pregnancy: Is It Safe To Eat? - Healthline

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Parenthood

Should You Avoid Pineapple During Pregnancy?

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Ashley Marcin on December 14, 2018

Is pineapple safe?
Concerns regarding bromelain
Your healthy pregnancy diet
Eat more pineapple
Other fruits and vegetables
Risks of pineapple
Takeaway

Pineapple can be a healthy fruit to eat during pregnancy. But eating too much may cause some uncomfortable symptoms.

Overview

When you’re pregnant, you’ll hear lots of thoughts and opinions from well-meaning friends, family members, and even strangers. Some of the information you’re given is helpful. Other bits may be ill-informed.

For example, you may have heard the old tale that if you eat a whole pineapple, you’ll go into labor. Before you shun this tasty, nutritious fruit for the next 9 months, here are the facts.

Can I eat pineapple while pregnant?

Pineapple is a safe, healthy choice during pregnancy. Someone might have told you to avoid this fruit because it may cause early miscarriage or bring on labor. However, this is just a myth.

There’s no scientific evidence to support that pineapple is dangerous during pregnancy. The rumors about pineapple are purely anecdotal.

What about bromelain?

Pineapple contains bromelain, a type of enzyme.

Bromelain tablets aren’t recommended for use during pregnancy. They can break down proteins in the body and lead to abnormal bleeding.

Although bromelain is found in the core of the pineapple, very little is actually in the flesh of the pineapple which is what we eat. The amount of bromelain in a single serving of pineapple isn’t likely to impact your pregnancy.

The bottom line: Normal intake of this fruit is unlikely to adversely affect your pregnancy.

Can pineapple be part of a healthy pregnancy diet?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the ideal pregnancy diet is made up of foods from the following five groups:

vegetables
fruits
dairy
grains
protein, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and beans

Foods from these groups help give your baby loads of the vitamins and minerals that they need to grow and develop. To feel your best, you should try to get a hearty mix of healthy, nutrient-dense eats. Drink plenty of water too.

Exactly how much you eat has to do with your age, height, weight, and activity level.

For example, consider a moderately active 30-year-old who is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.

The USDA’s MyPlate plan would recommend that she get around 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day in her first trimester. In the second and third trimesters, the recommended amount jumps to 5 cups.

An expectant 30-year-old who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall may need to get as many as 6.5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day, depending on her activity level.

How can I add pineapple to my diet?

One cup of pineapple can contain nearly 100 percent of a pregnant woman’s recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

It’s also a solid source of:

folate
iron
magnesium
manganese
copper
vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine)

These nutrients are all important to your baby’s development and your overall health.

If you want to include pineapple in your pregnancy diet but don’t quite know where to start, you can add it in a number of different ways.

Eat more pineapple!
Toss fresh chunks into your morning yogurt.
Blend frozen pineapple into a smoothie.
Put fresh pineapple on your grill for a healthy summer dessert.
Place big hunks of it on kebabs with meat and veggies.
Chop pineapple into salsa.
Make pineapple ice pops.
Incorporate it into a stir-fry or make a Hawaiian pizza.

What other fruits and vegetables should I eat?

What else should you eat? Head to your local grocery store’s produce department. Depending on the season, there are so many different types of fruits and veggies to try.

Smart choices might include:

apples
oranges
green beans
apricots
mangoes
sweet potatoes
winter squash
spinach

If you’re in a rush, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables are also good alternatives to junk foods.

Are there any risks of eating pineapple during pregnancy?

Consuming pineapple may not be dangerous or help you meet your baby any sooner, but eating large amounts can have uncomfortable effects. Beware if you have a sensitive stomach.

The acids in the pineapple may give you heartburn or reflux. To avoid these side effects, it’s best to consume this delicious fruit in moderation.

If you don’t normally eat pineapple and experience any sort of allergic symptoms after snacking, call your doctor.

Allergy signs include:

itching or swelling at your mouth
skin reactions
asthma
congestion or runny nose

If you’re allergic, these reactions will usually happen within minutes of eating pineapple. You’re more likely to be allergic to this fruit if you’re also allergic to pollen or latex.

What is the takeaway?

Eating pineapple during pregnancy isn’t likely to cause miscarriage or send you into labor any sooner. You can safely enjoy normal servings of fresh pineapple, canned pineapple, or pineapple juice.

If you’re still worried about adding this fruit to your diet, speak with your doctor about your concerns and ask for more information on pregnancy-safe foods.

Food Fix: What to Eat When Pregnant

Parenthood
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Health

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Basicreport: 09266, pineapple, raw, all varieties. (2018).https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/09266
ConwayR. (2016). What to eat when you’repregnant (3rd edition). Harlow, United Kingdom: FT Press, an imprint of PearsonEducation Limited.
Getyour MyPlate plan. (2018).https://www.choosemyplate.gov/MyPlatePlan
Makinghealthy choices in each food group. (2018).https://www.choosemyplate.gov/moms-making-healthy-food-choices
MayoClinic Staff. (2017). Pregnancy nutrition: Healthy-eating basics.http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-20046955
Nutritionalneeds during pregnancy. (2018)https://www.choosemyplate.gov/nutritional-needs-during-pregnancy
VitaminC [Fact sheet]. (2011).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer
Which foods are acidic? (n.d.).http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/which-foods-are-acidic

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Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Ashley Marcin on December 14, 2018

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