Can you have aspartame when pregnant

The American Dietetic Association recommends that pregnant women consume no more than mg caffeine per day. This is the amount typically found in one 10 oz cup of coffee. Artificial sweeteners are used to give food and beverages the sweet taste of sugar without all of the calories. Many different brands can be found in the supermarket. There is no nutritional need to consume artificial sweeteners.

However, if you decide to include them in your diet, use the information below to choose one that is safe for your baby. Also, some people have reported sensitivities to many of the artificial sweeteners, even those deemed safe for pregnancy.

If you feel that you have a reaction to an artificial sweetener, stop using it and consult your doctor or nutritionist for more information. The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition consider aspartame to be safe for both the pregnant woman and the developing infant. The use of saccharin is not recommended during pregnancy. It is a weak carcinogen that crosses the placenta. Stevia is a sweetener from a plant native to South America. Stevia is safe to consume during pregnancy.

And check with your doctor about the safety of specific sweeteners, including any that are new on the market. Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. All those diet soda and zero calorie products you see on store shelves? They contain non-nutritive sweeteners.

Non-nutritive sweeteners are very low in calories or contain no calories at all. Artificial sweeteners: Think the little pastel packets you often see at your table in restaurants. People use them to add sweetness to their drinks and sometimes put them on their food. Artificial sweeteners are also used in many processed foods and soft drinks.

Examples of sugar substitutes approved by the FDA include acesulfame, aspartame, neotame, saccharin and sucralose. Natural sweeteners: Think honey, coconut sugar, maple syrup. Cue image of Buddy the Elf dousing spaghetti in maple syrup.

Novel sweeteners: Stevia is the only novel sweetener approved by the FDA. Low in calories, yes. Some studies even say they can lower blood pressure.

What's the catch? The way novel sweeteners are made i. Sugar alcohols polyols : Technically not sugars, sugar alcohols are carbs that occur naturally in certain fruits and vegetables — although they can also be found in many processed foods.

And despite their name, these sugars are non-alcoholic. Food labels may use the general term "sugar alcohol" or list the specific name, such as sorbitol. When eaten in large amounts, sugar alcohols can have a laxative effect. When used in moderation, most pregnant women can safely use any of the eight nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners approved by the U. Still, the truth is that sugar substitutes can be a bit of a mixed bag for pregnant women.

Even though they are mostly considered safe, artificial sweeteners in particular may increase your baby's risk of being overweight later on. Here's what you need to know about the different types of artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes you might see on food and beverage labels. Examples include:. According to the FDA, aspartame is safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

A packet or two of the blue stuff now and then is fine so yes, a small piece of sugarless gum is safe — just avoid consuming aspartame during pregnancy in large amounts, and steer clear of it altogether if phenylketonuria PKU , a rare genetic disease, is on your medical chart.

Your doctor may also suggest avoiding aspartame if you have high levels of phenylalanine in your blood. The FDA says sucralose is safe for everyone to consume, including pregnant women. It's sugar, sort of. At least it starts out that way, before being chemically processed into a form that your body won't be able to absorb, making it sweet revenge it's calorie-free.

Sucralose has been approved for use in baked goods, making it ready to fulfill your pregnancy cravings of sugar-free chocolate cake! Before you leap to consume all these tasty treats, remember everything in moderation. Stevia is a zero-calorie sweetener derived from a South American shrub.