Sugar snack – Artificial sweeteners and pregnancy

Ms T finds out if artificial sweeteners are safe for consumption during pregnancy, how to regulate intake.


Nayab Najam January 22, 2014

As people become increasingly health-conscious, terms like ‘low fat’ and ‘low carbs’ are being accepted as little more than marketing gimmicks for powerful multinationals to sell their products. Reduced sugar or sugar-free foods are the latest in the markets. Everything from sodas and junk food to fruits and even chewing gum is now available in a healthier version of itself, catering to those who appease themselves that just because what they are eating has ‘25% less sugar,’ it is healthy.

This is where artificial sweeteners step in. Many manufacturers do not actually reduce the amount of sugar in their product — they simply replace it with artificial sweeteners. After all, what could be greater than having sugar that isn’t really sugar? Unfortunately, artificial sweeteners pose certain threats to the human body which are only likely to be aggravated during pregnancy.

There is plenty of concern regarding diet and nutrition during pregnancy and many expecting mothers cut their sugar intake by replacing it with foods and drinks that are sweetened artificially. Some artificially sweetened items like low-calorie yogurts, juices and milkshakes can indeed provide nutrients essential for a sound pregnancy and can help curtail weight-gain. Although there is limited research on the matter, most brands of sweeteners have been given the green light for consumption during, just so long as it is consumed in moderation.

For instance, Aspartame is one type of sweetening ingredient — commonly found in diet sodas — which most experts have deemed to be harmless so long as it is consumed in limited amounts. Large quantities of Aspartame can cause an upset stomach, sugar cravings, increased insulin production and even mood swings and broken sleep! Sucralose is a whopping 600 times sweeter than sugar itself and largely considered safe while expecting.  Saccharin — 300 times sweeter than sugar — is also accepted although research on the latter have shown varied reports of the ingredient passing through the placenta and on to the foetus. A derivative of coal tar, Saccharin is not only slow to leave the uterus but exposure to it can affect the unborn baby adversely and cause cancer in otherwise healthy human beings. Sorbitol, a staple in some diet products, especially chewing gums, is generally considered safe but leads to bloating and/or diarrhoea in pregnant women. We must remember that foetuses and babies are much more vulnerable physically than adults and so, the chemicals found in artificial sweeteners can affect them severely, at times leading to neurological disorders such as autism and ADD. Considering this, it is best if you avoid sweeteners during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In addition to this, most artificially sweetened products, such as fizzy drinks, contain none of the nutrients the baby or the mother need and so, it is best if one refrains from them altogether. An excellent alternative to artificial sweeteners are natural, unsweetened foods such as fruits which not only add sweetness but also afford many nutrients and other health benefits crucial for the human body, pregnant or not. For example, next time you are having plain yogurt, add some honey or strawberries or bananas instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners for added sweetness. Another alternative would be to make your own fruit smoothies at home using fresh fruits and vegetables — nothing can be healthier than that! Artificial sweeteners can be found in a variety of products including medicines, diet supplements and even toothpaste so make sure you give the labels on these products a read before purchasing. Remember: moderation is the key to a healthy pregnancy.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, January 19th, 2014.

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