Artificial Sweeteners and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, proper nutrition is often a big concern. Doctors often don’t inform patients of the risks of all types of foods, nor do they list all foods that should be avoided. Pregnant women should be getting adequate nutrition during this time, but excessive weight gain can become dangerous for both mother and child. Doctors recommend that the average weight gain during pregnancy not exceed 30 pounds. The average woman gains about 26 pounds during this time.

Any pregnancy weight gain in excess of this can not only make the weight harder to lose after pregnancy, but can also pose complications during labor and delivery. Even women without diabetes or insulin resistance are at risk of gestational diabetes. Because of this, many pregnant women continue to consume artificial sweeteners and products that contain them during their pregnancy. According to the FDA, as well as a number of public health organizations, there are some artificial sweeteners that are safe to consume during pregnancy, but there are also others that should be avoided.

Sugar contains a lot of empty calories that can contribute to excess weight gain, but some artificial sweeteners can pose other health risks. Doctors recommend that consumption of sugar be limited during pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and prevent excess weight gain. For women with diabetes and insulin resistance, artificial sweeteners are typically a safer alternative.

However, there are many different types of artificial sweeteners to choose from. Non-nutritive artificial sweeteners are those that contain little or no calories, but still offer a sweet taste. Sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol are often found in products like chewing gum. These sugar substitutes contain minimal calories, and are regarded as safe by the FDA. This group of artificial sweeteners poses no real health threat to women who are pregnant.

Sugar substitutes like stevia and ACE-K, which are sold under the brand names of Truvia and Sweet One, are also regarded as safe for consumption during pregnant, and offer no side effects for pregnant women. Aspartame is one of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners, and it is often found in diet soft drinks, baked goods, weight loss shakes, and other low calorie foods. Aspartame should never be used by people with PKU. For women who are pregnant, aspartame has been deemed generally safe, but it is recommended that consumption be kept to a minimal level.

Sucralose is known as Splenda in stores, and it is regarded as one of the safest artificial sweeteners for pregnant women and others. There are no health risks or side effects associated with its use. Two artificial sweeteners that should be avoided during pregnancy are saccharin and cyclamate. Cyclamate has been banned in the United States, and it is not considered safe for anyone. Saccharin has been deemed safe for use by everyone by the FDA, but studies show that the substance can cross the placenta. Because of this, most doctors recommend avoiding saccharin during pregnancy.