Piña coladas might be off the menu when you’re pregnant (the alcoholic kind, anyway!), but can you eat pineapple while pregnant? Good news: You can—and should—get your sweet, tropical fix in other ways. This fruit is loaded with fiber, folate, vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy and satisfying snack or dessert for expectant moms.
Pineapple may also help ripen your cervix and prepare your body for delivery, so you’ll want to avoid eating it in excess. In normal amounts, though, pineapple is a great addition to a pregnancy-friendly diet. Read on to learn more about eating pineapple during pregnancy.
Can You Eat Pineapple While Pregnant?
It’s generally considered safe to consume pineapple during pregnancy in moderation, (i.e. one to two cups of fresh pineapple per day), says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, a fertility-focused dietitian and author of The First-Time Mom’s Pregnancy Cookbook.
If you’re wondering why the safety of eating pineapple during pregnancy is even a question, it’s because pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that has, in some research, been associated with causing contractions or speeding up labor. As a result, an old wives’ tale exists that consuming this fruit during pregnancy can cause miscarriage.
But rest assured that eating the flesh of a pineapple in normal amounts (or drinking pineapple juice) is generally considered safe during pregnancy.
“Pineapple gets a bad rap in the pregnancy space /[because some people] believe that eating it can cause contractions due to the bromelain it contains,” says Manaker. “The truth is that we are lacking strong data to show that pineapple causes contractions, and therefore /[we don’t suggest] avoiding it.”
Basically, there’s no evidence-based reason to pass on pineapple during pregnancy—and in fact, doing so could cause you to miss out on a number of healthy pregnancy nutrients found in the fruit, like vitamin C and folate.
However, pregnant women should avoid consuming a lot of bromelain, says Victoria Petruzzi, MD, an ob-gyn at Houston Methodist Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates, because it can cause diarrhea and uterine cramping. Additionally, it may interfere with the body’s natural blood-clotting abilities, leading to an increased risk of bleeding. There are higher amounts of bromelain in the stem and core of a pineapple, so in addition to moderating your overall pineapple intake, you should toss the stem and core rather than incorporating them into a smoothie.
Benefits of Eating Pineapple During Pregnancy
Pineapple is a highly nutritious fruit. For every serving of pineapple you eat, you’ll get a boost of vitamins and minerals, including:
- Fiber. One cup of fresh pineapple contains over two grams of fiber. Sherry Ross, MD, an ob-gyn at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, says fiber is good for digestion support and relieving constipation during pregnancy.
- Vitamin C. A serving of pineapple contains around 80 milligrams of vitamin C, which is almost the entire daily recommended value for pregnant women. Manaker says vitamin C helps support the immune system and aids in the absorption of iron, an essential mineral during pregnancy.
- Folate. Pineapple is a good source of folate, says Ross, a B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of certain birth defects during pregnancy.
- Water. Pineapple is about 85 percent water, so eating it can help keep you hydrated.
Are There Risks to Eating Pineapple During Pregnancy?
Eating an overabundance of pineapple or consuming the stem or core during pregnancy could cause complications because of the high bromelain content. But for the most part, people consuming a normal amount of pineapple fruit shouldn’t be worried. For the most part, pineapple is safe during pregnancy.
That said, there are some exceptions. According to Amber Chambers, CNM, certified nurse-midwife at Pediatrix Medical Group in Florida, pineapple is relatively high in natural sugars, which can impact blood sugar levels. This could be a problem for people with gestational diabetes, who need to monitor their blood sugar carefully during pregnancy.
Chambers also says that pineapple is very acidic, which could exacerbate heartburn or acid reflux symptoms. Some people may also have a problem with a sudden increase in fiber intake from consuming large amounts of pineapple. This could lead to digestive issues like diarrhea and abdominal or uterine cramping.
Best Ways to Eat Pineapple During Pregnancy
In addition to satisfying your sweet cravings with fresh slices or chunks of pineapple, Manaker recommends:
- Making smoothies. Blend pineapple with other fruits and yogurt or milk for a filling breakfast or midday snack.
- Mixing up a fruit salad. Toss pineapple chunks with other favorite fruits like mango, kiwi and oranges to create a vibrant and nutrient-rich fruit salad.
- Grilling it. Heat pineapple on the grill to create a sweet and smoky combination that pairs well with chicken and pork.
- Adding it to savory dishes. Dice pineapple and add it to salads, salsas or stir-fries for a tropical twist on your regular entrees.
- Making sorbet. Freeze the contents of a can of pineapple—in juice, not syrup—and use a blender or ice cream machine to make a pineapple sorbet with no added sugar.
Does Pineapple Induce Labor?
Based on the evidence, there’s no clear answer as to whether or not pineapple can induce labor. Chambers says bromelain appears to have anti-inflammatory properties and may be able to soften the cervix, potentially inducing labor, but the research is too insufficient for experts to say eating pineapple is effective at naturally inducing labor.
Some rodent studies have linked pineapple extract to uterine contractions, but human studies are currently pretty limited. One 2022 study did find that stages one and two of labor (the cervical dilation and pushing stages) were shorter for expectant moms who consumed pineapple during stage one. This was a small study, though, of only 76 participants.
“Keep in mind that everyone will have different responses to pineapple, and so many factors influence labor, including the readiness of the body and hormonal levels,” Chambers says. “My number one piece of advice is to always consult with a healthcare provider before trying to induce labor so they can offer guidance based on your specific situation.”
