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When you’re pregnant you may have found yourself a lot more concerned and cautious about what you eat.

Something I try to avoid in general is the use of any artificial sweetener—but even more so now that I’m pregnant.

While I know the artificial sweeteners present in our foods today are “approved,” I can’t help feeling that I’d prefer to avoid them where possible.

Just yesterday I picked up a bottle of fruit squash only to find it contains Aspartame and Saccharin. Needless to say, I was not impressed!

This beverage was not the “no added sugar” version, and so I certainly did not expect to find any artificial sweetener listed on the label.

With the obesity epidemic at it’s height, it seems more and more people are turning to low cal foods these days, and this is why there has been such a growth in the artificial sweetener industry.

Which products are likely to contain artificial sweetener?
Products most likely to contain artificial sweeteners are those which claim to be “light,” “sugar free” or have “no added sugar.” A few examples include:

• Sugar-free chewing gum
• Sugar-free sweets and candy
• Diet drinks
• Some baked goods
• Jam
• “Light” yoghurt
• Frozen ice cream

But, is it really necessary to avoid artificial sweeteners like the plague when you’re pregnant?

Well, again moderation comes into play here, doesn’t it?

If you are consuming 10 cans of diet drinks each day, it’s pretty obvious you’re not exercising “moderation.”

However, the occasional intake of sweeteners is doubtless to do you any harm.

What are artificial sweeteners?

A sweetener is an ingredient added to foods and drinks by manufacturers to give extra, well, sweetness!

There are two categories of sweeteners:

• Nutritive (contain calories)
• Non-nutritive (without calories)

1. Nutritive Sweeteners
Nutritive sweeteners, such as regular table sugar, contain “empty” calories. This means they provide calories to your diet, but very little else.

However, when used in moderations, nutritive sweeteners are safe to use during pregnancy.

You may need to use nutritive sweeteners with extra caution if you:

• Have gained too much weight during your pregnancy
• You have gestational diabetes, or diabetes

Other names for sugar to look out for include sucrose, dextrose, honey, corn sugar, fructose, and maltose.

If you want to know how to reduce sugar intake, check out this article.

2. Non-nutritive Sweeteners
Non-nutritive sweeteners are also added to foods and drinks and are significantly sweeter than nutritive sweeteners. Therefore only small amounts are generally used.

You will find non-nutritive sweeteners mainly in reduced calorie foods and drinks. But, as I found out yesterday, it is worthwhile checking food labels carefully just in case!

While research is limited into the safety of non-nutritive sweeteners during pregnancy, there are a number which are considered safe.

Artificial sweeteners deemed safe during pregnancy by the FDA

• Acesulfame Potassium (Sunett) – safe to use in moderation (15 mg/kg)
• Aspartame (Equal or NutraSweet) – safe to use in moderation (50 mg/kg)
• Sucralose (Splenda) – safe to use in moderation (5 mg/kg)

Artificial sweeteners deemed questionable or not safe during pregnancy by the FDA

• Saccharin (Sweet ‘N Low) – considered safe for use in the general public. But, studies show saccharin crosses the placenta and may remain in fetal tissue, so its use for pregnant women is questionable.
• Stevia – safety is unknown when used by pregnant or lactating women.
• Cyclamate – not considered safe for anyone, including pregnant women.

That said, one of the main health concerns with using artificial sweeteners during pregnancy is that you are missing out on more nutritious foods and beverages.

For example, if you were drinking multiple diet sodas every day it’s doubtful you would be taking in enough water, milk, or pure fruit juice.

So, the key is to include a variety of healthy foods and drinks in your diet everyday, limiting your consumption of foods and drinks containing artificial sweetener where possible.

What are your thoughts on the use of artificial sweetener? Do you feel it is safe for consumption during pregnancy?