Can Pregnant/Nursing Women Eat Thai Food?

Pregnant Lotus Smile by Bettina Neuefeind

Of course. If you’re pregnant or breast-feeding it is perfectly healthy and safe for you and your baby if you eat Thai food. I’m not completely sure where this myth of Thai food being bad for you comes from, but it’s definitely not true.

Thai food can be spicy, yes, but it doesn’t contain any ingredients that are dangerous to a developing fetus. There is no MSG or other dangerous chemicals in Thai food that you need to be concerned about.

If your digestive system is sensitive to spicy foods, it may be beneficial to request that your Thai food not be spiced as heavily, so as not to upset your system. This is a perfectly acceptable, and a common and expected request at Thai food restaurants.

It is understood that many Westerners have trouble with the heat in Thai dishes, and the chef will happily make your meal in a westernized and spiced down version, if you prefer.

Here in Thailand, women don’t just stop eating Thai food when they become pregnant (ha, ha). Thai women eat authentic and very spicy Thai food throughout their pregnancy and while nursing their babies, with no ill effects.

There is no medical information or any indication that a mother’s eating Thai food can be detrimental to an unborn child, nor that it makes breastmilk dangerous or unhealthy for babies.

So all you mothers to be out there, feel free to happily eat all the Thai food you want without any guilt or worry.