Can you have sweeteners when pregnant

Women with this condition can't break down aspartame properly, which can ultimately lead to birth defects. And all expectant moms should steer clear of saccharin the sweetener found primarily in Sweet 'N Low during pregnancy. Although it hasn't been linked to birth defects directly, studies have shown that it may increase an unborn baby's chances of developing bladder cancer. However, this risk is pretty slim, so if you were still sprinkling Sweet 'N Low in your coffee before you knew you were pregnant, don't worry too much -- just stop using it now.

Is it safe to use artificial sweeteners during pregnancy? July 02, Save Pin FB More. Q: Is it safe to use artificial sweeteners during pregnancy? Sucralose has been reported to cause bloating, cramping, flatulence and cause laxative effects in some individuals, usually when consumed in larger amounts. Stevia can be around times sweeter than table sugar. There are many different grades of stevia and also different methods of extraction.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Stevia is usually mixed with other bulking agents such as maltodextrin which has a higher GI value than table sugar and spikes blood glucose levels rapidly , or other sweeteners such as artificial sweeteners like sucralose, or sugar alcohols polyols such as erythritol.

Stevia products can leave a bitter aftertaste, especially cheaper stevia sweeteners which contain very small amounts of stevia. Absorption of NNSs [non-nutritive sweeteners] into the bloodstream occurs in the small intestine and can be transferred to a fetus through the placenta and to an infant through breast milk.

Sugar Alcohols, also known as Polyols are small-chain carbohydrates that occur naturally in certain fruits, vegetables and plants. The name comes from their chemical structure which resembles sugar and is similar to alcohol.

Polyols are slowly digested. The glycaemic index is a rating system for foods containing carbohydrates. It shows how quickly each food affects your blood sugar glucose level when that food is eaten on its own. The GI of glucose is and table sugar sucrose is Only small amounts of polyols are absorbed in the small intestines, therefore polyols largely remain intact when entering the large intestines.

Polyols attract water as they move through the small intestine by a process called osmosis. This occurs whether polyols are absorbed, or not, but it can lead to pain and motility problems typically, diarrhoea for people who are more sensitive to the pressure this fluid exerts on the intestinal walls. Polyols that are not absorbed in the small intestine enter the large intestine where they are fermented by gut bacteria. The gas produced as a by-product of this bacterial fermentation distends the bowel, causing additional pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits in susceptible individuals.

This reduces both the osmotic effect they exert in the small intestine and the amount of intact polyol molecules available for fermentation in the large intestine. Polyols are listed under carbohydrates on nutritional labels, however, not all carbs from polyols are digestible, therefore some polyols can be deducted from the total carb amount when looking at the carbs that impact blood sugar levels depending on the polyol type.

Xylitol: The GI value of xylitol varies from one product to another. As this brand of xylitol does not cause spikes in blood sugar levels, I deduct the carbs found in xylitol in my recipes. Maltitol: The GI value of maltitol is much higher at 35, therefore it is important to recognise that this sweetener will impact blood glucose levels more. In the knowledge that the GI of table sugar is 65, you could halve the carbs found in polyols from maltitol to give an estimate of the impact the carbs could have.

As opposed to the negative impact non-nutritive sweeteners have on the gut microbiome, some polyols have been found to have positive effects, increasing the probiotic bacterias found in the gut after consumption. Effects of polyols on gut microbiota composition. Erythritol, sorbitol, and mannitol do not affect the composition of the gut microbiota; however, lactitol, isomalt, xylitol, and maltitol provoke shifts in the gut microbiome, increasing bifidobacteria numbers in healthy people.

So please be warned, if you want some sugar-free sweets do not risk more than two or three individual sweets at a time, or you could end up regretting the decision to have a treat! Honey in particular is raised in my Facebook support group as something that many perceive as being a natural alternative to cane or beet table sugar, however, raw honey still spikes blood sugar levels.

Some may have a lower GI Glycaemic Index than table sugar, but they will still all raise blood sugar levels:. Agave nectar is very similar to honey or syrup as it is a runny texture which can be used for drizzling.

Agave nectar or syrup is produced commercially in Mexico and South America from the agave plant the tequila plant. Agave is commonly marketed as a slow-release carbohydrate with a low glycaemic index.

This is true as it contains mainly fructose and only low amounts of glucose. This can cause major increases in long-term blood sugar and insulin levels, strongly raising the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

The liver metabolises fructose, but when overloaded it starts turning the fructose into fat globules, which raise blood triglycerides. Having a high level of triglycerides in your blood can increase your risk of heart disease. Some sweeteners in pregnancy are safer than others, with some artificial sweeteners being linked to concerns for both the health of the mother and the child in later life.

If you would like to use sweeteners in pregnancy as an alternative to sugars due to diabetes, the safest options are naturally derived sweeteners. Beware of consuming sweeteners in large amounts as the majority will cause gastric upset. Skip to content GD Diet. Pregnancy NNS absorption and excretion NNS concentration percentage found in various biological samples after ingestion. References for sucralose 49 , 59 , 63 ; acesulfame K 50 , 51 , 59 , 60 , 63 ; saccharin 52 , 61 , 64 ; aspartame 53 , 54 , 62 ; steviosides.

Consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners in pregnancy. The Use of Artificial Sweeteners. Accessed January 9, British Nutrition Foundation. Published Intake of artificially sweetened soft drinks and risk of preterm delivery: a prospective cohort study in 59, Danish pregnant women. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Published online June 23, But while it can't hurt your baby, it can have unpleasant gastro effects on you: in large doses, sorbitol can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea — something no pregnant woman wants to have diarrhea during pregnancy , besides being uncomfortable, can interfere with the absorption of vital nutrients, plus lead to dehydration.

What's more, sorbitol has more calories than other sugar substitutes and can lead to excess pregnancy weight gain if you overdo it.

Xylitol, a sugar alcohol, is commonly found in chewing gum, toothpaste and candies, and is considered safe during pregnancy in moderate amounts. So, a few pieces of xylitol-sweetened gum a day is fine — but you might not want to chew through five. Xylitol does have 40 percent fewer calories than pure sugar sucrose and has been shown to prevent tooth decay — a good thing if it is included in your toothpaste!

Neotame is a non-nutritive sweetener approved by the FDA in for use as a "general purpose sweetener and flavor enhancer" in foods except in meat and poultry. It is safe for everyone — including pregnant women — and is actually used as a sugar substitute in many baked goods. Cyclamate was banned in the U. Take note if traveling internationally! Adventame is actually times sweeter than aspartame — a pretty sweet sweetener!

In , the FDA approved advantame as a non-nutritive sweetener and flavor enhancer within the U. It is safe during pregnancy in moderation. Mannitol may provide fewer calories than sugar, but it is poorly abssorbed by the body. Like sorbitol, it is safe in moderation, although too much can cause stomach upset.

You'll need to choose recipes that call for a substantial amount of liquid, then sub the juice concentrate for that liquid, as well as for the sugar. White grape juice concentrate, for example, has a sweeter, less fruity taste, and will bake up to taste most like sugar. Fruit juice concentrates are also found in all kinds of commercial products including cookies, cereals, granola bars, toaster pastries, yogurt, even soft drinks.

Products that contain them are also more likely to contain healthier ingredients than sugar-loaded sweets. Yes, this new fruit to hit the U. Coconut sugar, a natural sweetener, is safe during pregnancy as a sugar substitute.

Today, coconut sugar is recognized as a healthier and natural alternative to refined sugar sucrose , high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. From aspartame to stevia to erythritol, get the lowdown on which pastel packets, sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners to pick — and avoid — when you're expecting.

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