During pregnancy, your body’s raging hormones can cause you to crave foods that are not always considered healthy. One of these cravings may be for salsa, a condiment made from tomatoes, onions, chili peppers, lime juice, and herbs and spices. The good news is that salsa is safe to eat during pregnancy as long as you take a few precautions.
Salsa can be a good source of vitamin C, which is essential for your and your baby’s health. It can also provide potassium, which is necessary for your baby’s growth and development. In addition, the tomato in salsa is a rich source of antioxidants that can help your body combat damage from free radicals.
However, since salsa typically contains raw ingredients like tomatoes and onion, there is a risk of foodborne illnesses such as salmonella and listeria. It is therefore important to only eat salsa that has been prepared using fresh, properly washed ingredients. It is also recommended to avoid store-bought salsas that contain unpasteurized ingredients, as these have a higher risk of contamination.
The other concern with salsa is that it can be spicy, which can trigger heartburn or gastrointestinal discomfort in some pregnant women. Additionally, the capsaicin in chili peppers can stimulate contractions and increase your risk of labor complications. In general, it is best to limit your consumption of spicy foods during pregnancy unless you are able to tolerate them without discomfort.