CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Is It Safe to Eat Blackened Food While Pregnant?

Find out if those tangy, tasty spices are okay right now.
save article
profile picture of Jenna McCarthy
Updated April 17, 2017
Hero Image

Blackening is a food-prep technique that typically involves coating seafood, meat and even vegetables with a tangy blend of spices, including paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and oregano. The spice-crusted bites are then pan-seared at extremely high heat to bring out the zesty flavor—and often, a nice, charred crust. Hot, spicy foods in general pose no risks to pregnant women. The concern is that burnt foods may contain cancer-causing carcinogens, and should therefore be avoided by everyone, not just moms-to-be. Indeed, one Dutch study did find an increase in cancers among women who consumed a relatively greater portion of overcooked (burned) foods than those who didn’t, although it’s hard to draw a concrete cause-effect relationship. Still, steering clear of scorched foods is probably a good idea whether you’re expecting or not.

While urban legend has it that eating spicy foods can cause a pregnant woman to go into labor, Hilda Hutcherson, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center and the author of What Your Mother Never Told You About S-e-x, insists that’s an absolute myth. (Still, some expectant moms have been known to embark on a steady diet of suicide wings and jerk chicken when their due dates come and go, in an effort to get the party started already. Alas, it’s not proven to work.)

As long as you don’t burn foods to a crisp when you blacken, the pros say the cooking style is inherently safe—although it still matters what you’re putting the spices on. Along with known no-nos like raw eggs and unpasteurized foods and beverages, the American Pregnancy Association cautions pregnant women to avoid raw or undercooked meat, deli meats and certain seafood. According to San Diego–based expert David M. Priver, MD, FACOG, the FDA list of unsafe fishes changes frequently; currently they advise against eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish, among others, since they have high levels of mercury. Instead, the pros encourage pregnant women to eat a variety of healthy foods—which can include Cajun-style chili and browned (just not blistered) tofu, if that’s what you’re craving.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

grilled chicken with greens
Meat Recall Effects Hundreds of Products at Walmart, Kroger and More
By Wyndi Kappes
oysters on ice
Dad Curates Oyster Feast for Wife’s First Meal After Giving Birth
By Wyndi Kappes
person picking up an egg out of the carton
Check Your Eggs: Cartons Recalled After Salmonella Outbreak
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
close up of sliced turkey deli meat
Boar’s Head Recalls 7 Million Pounds of Deli Meat Due to Listeria Risk
By Wyndi Kappes
woman putting hot sauce on food
Can You Eat Spicy Food While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
chipwich ice cream sandwich recall
ChipWich, Hershey's and Other Popular Brands Recall Ice Cream Treats
By Wyndi Kappes
fresh whole cucumbers
Whole Cucumbers Recalled in 14 States Due to Salmonella Risk
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
cold cuts and deli meat on board
Can You Eat Deli Meat While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
planters peanuts and nut snacks on shelf in grocery store
Planters Nuts Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination Risk
By Wyndi Kappes
trader joe's organic basil recall due to salmonella
Trader Joe's Recalls Basil Due to Salmonella Concerns
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
cooked shrimp on grill
Can You Eat Shrimp While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
various types of dairy products
Popular Super Bowl Snacks Linked to Listeria Outbreak
By Wyndi Kappes
charcuterie meats in plastic container
Charcuterie Meats Carried at Sam's Club Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman drinking red raspberry leaf tea
Can Red Raspberry Leaf Tea Help You Through Pregnancy and Labor?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
close up of cut cantaloupe fruit
CDC Urges People to Avoid Cantaloupe as Salmonella Outbreak Grows
By Wyndi Kappes
peaches and plums at the market
Peaches, Plums, Nectarines Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination Risk
By Wyndi Kappes
woman cutting soft cheese on cheese board
The Ultimate Guide to Soft Cheeses in Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman eating a burger and fries at restaurant
What to Do if You Experience Food Poisoning While Pregnant
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
kiwifruit
Why the FDA Is Telling Pregnant Women to Avoid Kiwifruit
By Wyndi Kappes
close up of pregnant woman holding a grocery shopping basket in grocery store
Top Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List