I had PCOS before conceiving, so I was always double-checking every vegetable. Cooked karela is okay in small quantities, but please avoid karela juice as it's not recommended during pregnancy. Just eat in moderation.
I would say eat very small quantities if you really crave it. Karela is fine as a normal sabzi sometimes, but avoid having its juice or seeds as they are considered too strong. I completely stayed away from it just to be safe.
Oh, I remember worrying about karela too! Looking back, eating normal cooked karela sabzi once in a while is absolutely fine. Just don't drink bitter gourd juice or have too much of it.
When I had thyroid issues, my doctor gave me a proper list of what to eat and avoid. I had small portions of cooked karela, but if you are unsure, do ask your doctor during your routine checkup.
Pregnancy tests and hospital deliveries are already so expensive, so I always tried to avoid any food that could cause stomach upset or complications. Normal cooked karela in moderation is fine, but skip the juice to avoid any unnecessary clinic visits.
While bitter gourd is highly nutritious, some doctors advise against eating too much of it, especially the seeds and juice, due to certain compounds. It's always best to ask your gynac during your next visit just to be sure.
