Thematic Analysis of Pregnancy Food Beliefs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis.

Maternal nutrition is shaped by cultural food beliefs that may restrict essential nutrients and harm maternal/fetal outcomes. This systematic review aimed to identify components of food beliefs during pregnancy. Following PRISMA, two authors searched databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase) up to August 18, 2025, using 'food beliefs' and 'pregnancy'. We included qualitative studies gathering nutritional beliefs from pregnant women, women with pregnancy experience, and key informants. Quality assessed using JBI tool. Inductive thematic synthesis was used. Of 511 studies, 44 met criteria. One main theme emerged-sociocultural food beliefs during pregnancy-with eight categories: food beliefs, knowledge, traditional beliefs, food taboos, social support, religious beliefs, environmental/societal effects, and barriers. These beliefs function as social practices of morality and risk management, transmitted through family authority, gender dynamics, and economic constraints. Pregnancy food beliefs are complex. Effective interventions require culturally sensitive approaches involving family and community support.