Food and Labor: Theories, Claims and Evidence It likely has to do with the fact that some foods, like eggplant and spicy dishes, can either irritate or stimulate the gastrointestinal system, which can sometimes trigger contractions, says M.
While I was researching we ran into the question “Can eggplant parmesan really induce labor?”.
One source stated Eggplant’s rep as a possible labor kick-starter is most likely due to a famous eggplant parmesan dish at a restaurant near Atlanta, Georgia, called Scalini’s, known for its “eggplant babies.” According to lore, when pregnant women eat the dish, they go into labor within two days.
According to OB-GYN North, eggplant parmesan was once an “in vogue” method of inducing labor. “While this dish may have been contributing to labor , it is probably not due to the eggplant but rather to the seasonings in the dish,” the website noted.
Egg plant: Many moms swear that they went into labor soon after having a dish known as eggplant parmesan, the main ingredient of which happens to be eggplant. Because of this, many people believe that eggplant helps in inducing labor . However, there are no known substances in eggplant that could possibly cause you to go into labor .
You could be asking “Does Scalini’s eggplant induce labor?”
Scalini’s claims their signature eggplant method of induction began two to three years after the restaurant opened 25 years ago when people began saying they went into labor shortly after eating the eggplant dish . From there, the legend of the eggplant took off with customers claiming they’ve gone into labor within 48 hours of chowing down.
Where did the eggplant parmesan recipe come from?
I got the recipe online from Scalini’s, an Italian restaurant in Cobb County, Georgia , whose eggplant parmesan is famous for sending hundreds of women into labour within 48 hours of eating it. The dish was an old family recipe, which was passed down to Scalini’s co-founder John Bogino by his Italian immigrant parents.
In fact, the dish is still a pretty popular choice for women who are looking to get things moving along. Women even place an order for eggplant parmesan from Scalini’s, an Italian restaurant in Georgia, where nearly 300 pictures of “eggplant babies” decorate the walls of the restaurant.
What foods can help induce labor?
In the category of “can’t hurt, might help” are foods such as eggplant, balsamic vinegar, and anything spicy . While there’s no proof that any of these have labor-inducing qualities, plenty of moms swear they’ve gone straight from Joe’s House of Hot Wings to the labor and delivery floor.
That said, most of the foods credited with kick-starting labor, such as pineapple, dates, eggplant parm and spicy dishes , are perfectly safe to eat in moderation during pregnancy, although they can lead to heartburn, upset stomach or a long night in the bathroom.
Can spicy food induce labor?
Spicy foods: Spicy food can irritate your intestines , much like castor oil (albeit more gently), which may cause cramping and uterine contractions for women who are already dilated. That said, there’s no evidence to support the theory that spicy food induces labor.