Artificial sweeteners and sugar-free foods provide a calorie-free way to fill sugar cravings. During pregnancy, every calorie matters, because you want to provide your growing baby with the best nutrition possible. While your obstetrician or a registered dietitian is the best source of dietary advice, you can learn more about sugar-free options to develop an understanding of what's best for you and your baby.
Types of Sweeteners
There are a number of sugar-free sweeteners on the market. Common options include sucralose, aspartame, stevia or rebaudioside A, acesulfame potassium and saccharin. Sugar alcohols, like sorbitol and manitol, have fewer carbohydrates than sugar, but do have calories. You'll find artificial sweeteners in bulk containers, individual serving packets and various products, including sugar-free sodas and beverages, yogurts and diet snack foods. Low-carbohydrate products often rely on sugar alcohols in place of artificial sweeteners.
The Best Choices
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration or FDA, sucralose and stevia are safe for pregnant women to consume, with no further guidelines given. When choosing sugar-free foods with these sweeteners, consider whether the food is a healthy addition to your diet or if you would be better off with an alternative. A sucralose-sweetened yogurt might be a good choice, offering calcium and protein, while a diet soda with sucralose would be better replaced with water.
Moderation is Key
Aspartame and acesulfame potassium are approved for use by pregnant women but should be consumed in moderation. An occasional food or beverage with these sweeteners is fine, but you may need to break your diet soda habit during pregnancy and replace those diet drinks with a healthier choice for you and your baby. Sugar alcohols are also safe in moderation but may cause digestive upset and diarrhea.
What to Avoid
While saccharin is FDA-approved, evidence shows that this sweetener can cross the placenta and enter fetal tissue. Saccharin once carried a warning label indicating potential dangers, but more recent studies have shown no risk. Even so, limit your saccharin consumption during pregnancy. As this sweetener isn't commonly used anymore, as long as you skip the pink packets in your coffee, avoiding it is easy.
Member Comments