There has been some controversy and debate about the safety of artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame and saccharin, but most health care professionals believe they're safe when used in moderation. One thing that is clear is that you should avoid aspartame if you have the hereditary disease phenylketonuria, or PKU, in which the body can't break down the compound phenylalanine, found in aspartame. Of course, when you're pregnant, what you don't put into your body or expose it to can be almost as important as what you do.
But worrying out about every little thing you come into contact with can make for a long and stressful three trimesters. And fretting about things you did before you knew you were pregnant or before you found out they could be hazardous won't do you or your baby any good.
Questions abound regarding what women can and can't do during pregnancy. But the answers may not always come from the most reliable sources, so you might worry unnecessarily. Some warnings are worth listening to; others are popular but unproven rumors.
Knowing what could truly be harmful to your baby and what's not a real concern is the key to keeping your sanity during these 40 weeks.
You'll need to be particularly mindful of a handful of things during your pregnancy, some of which are more harmful than others. Your doctor or other health care provider will talk to you about what should be completely avoided, what should be greatly reduced, and what should be carefully considered during pregnancy. Should I avoid it? Although it may seem harmless to have a glass of wine at dinner or a mug of beer out with friends, no one knows what's a "safe amount" of alcohol to drink during pregnancy.
Fetal alcohol syndrome FAS is caused by drinking a lot of alcohol during pregnancy. What that amount is versus a safe amount is really not known. Because of the uncertainty, it's always wise to be cautious and not drink any alcohol at all during pregnancy. What are the risks to my baby? Alcohol is one of the most common causes of physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities.
It can be even more harmful to a developing fetus than heroin, cocaine, or marijuana use. Alcohol is easily passed along to the baby, whose body is less able to get rid of alcohol than the mother's.
That means an unborn baby tends to develop a high concentration of alcohol, which stays in the baby's system for longer periods than it would in the mother's. And moderate alcohol intake, as well as periodic binge drinking, can possibly damage a baby's developing nervous system. What can I do about it?
If you had a drink or two before you even knew you were pregnant as many women do , don't worry too much about it. But your best bet is to not drink any more alcohol for the rest of your pregnancy. If you're an alcoholic or think you may have a drinking problem, talk to your doctor about it.
He or she needs to know how much alcohol you've consumed and when during your pregnancy to get a better idea of how your unborn baby might be affected. Your doctor also can start you on a path to getting the help you need to stop drinking — for your sake and your baby's.
It's wise to cut down or stop caffeine intake. Studies show that caffeine consumption of more than — milligrams a day about 2—3 cups of coffee, depending on the portion size, brewing method, and brand might put a pregnancy at risk. Less than that amount is probably safe. High caffeine consumption has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and, possibly, other pregnancy complications. If you're having a hard time cutting out coffee all at once, here's how you can start:.
And remember that caffeine is not only in coffee. Green and black tea, cola, and other soft drinks contain caffeine. Try switching to decaffeinated products which may still have some caffeine, but in much smaller amounts or caffeine-free alternatives.
If you're wondering about chocolate, which also has caffeine, the good news is that you can eat some in moderation. A cup of brewed coffee has 95— milligrams of caffeine, but the average chocolate bar has 5—30 milligrams. So, small amounts of chocolate are fine. Are there some I should avoid? Foods that are more likely to be contaminated with bacteria or heavy metals are ones to try to avoid or limit your exposure to. Those you should steer clear of during pregnancy include:. Also, although fish and shellfish can be an extremely healthy part of your pregnancy diet they contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and are high in protein and low in saturated fat , you should avoid eating certain kinds due to high levels of mercury, which can damage the brain of a developing fetus.
Although it's important to eat plenty of healthy foods during pregnancy, you also need to avoid foodborne illnesses, such as listeriosis , toxoplasmosis, and salmonella , which are caused by the bacteria that can be found in certain foods. These infections can be life-threatening to an unborn baby and may cause birth defects or miscarriage. Be sure to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables , which can carry bacteria or be coated with pesticide residue.
And be mindful of what you're buying at the grocery store or when dining out. When you choose seafood, eat a variety of fish and shellfish and limit the amount to about 12 ounces per week — that's about two meals. Common fish and shellfish that are low in mercury include: canned light tuna, catfish, pollock, salmon, and shrimp. But because albacore or white tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna, it's best to eat no more than 6 ounces or one meal of albacore tuna a week.
You may have to skip a few foods during pregnancy that you normally enjoy. But just think how delicious they'll taste when you can have them again! Pregnancy is the prime time to get out of cleaning kitty's litter box.
But that doesn't mean that you have to keep away from Fluffy! An infection called toxoplasmosis can be spread through soiled cat litter boxes and can cause serious problems in a fetus, including prematurity , poor growth, and severe eye and brain damage. A pregnant woman who becomes infected often has no symptoms but can still pass the infection on to her developing baby. Have someone else change the litter box, making sure to clean it thoroughly and regularly, then wash his or her hands well afterward.
Should I avoid them? Some, yes; others, no. There are many medicines you should not use during pregnancy. Be sure to talk to your doctor about which prescription and over-the-counter OTC drugs you can and can't take, even if they seem like no big deal.
Even common OTC medicines that you can buy in stores without a prescription may be off-limits during pregnancy because of their potential effects on the baby. Certain prescription medicines may also harm the developing fetus. The type of harm and extent of possible damage depends on the kind of medication. Also, although they may seem harmless, herbal remedies and supplements are not regulated by the U.
That means that they don't have to follow any safety standards and thus could be harmful to your baby. To make sure you don't take anything that could put your baby at risk, talk to your doctor about:. Also, let all of your health care providers know that you're pregnant so that they'll keep that in mind when recommending or prescribing any medicines. If you were prescribed a medication before you became pregnant for an illness, disease, or condition that you still have, your doctor can help you weigh the potential benefits and risks of continuing your prescription.
If you become sick for example, with a cold or have symptoms that cause you discomfort or pain like a headache or backache , talk to your doctor about medicines you can take and other ways to help you feel better without medication. Also, if you are in your third trimester, talk to your health care professional if you are scheduled to have surgery or a medical procedure that would require the use of general anesthesia.
A couple of the brand names for aspartame sweeteners you might find are NutraSweet and Equal , which is a blend of several sweeteners including aspartame. Aspartame is also known as additive E in Europe. Non-nutritive sweeteners are exactly what their name suggests. They contribute sweetness but do not provide any nutritional value. Aspartame is most commonly found in sugar-free desserts, gum , and sodas , and other low-calorie drinks.
The famous Diet Coke is sweetened with a blend of aspartame and a couple of other sweeteners. If you look at the label on an aspartame-sweetened food, you may notice a disclaimer stating that they are not suitable for folks with PKU phenylketonuria. PKU is a rare genetic and metabolic disorder that causes the body to be unable to break down phenylalanine, which is an amino acid found in aspartame.
One study even showed that there were no adverse effects for mom or baby when mom consumed four to five times the acceptable daily intake source: International Journal of Fertility. Like many other non-nutritive sweeteners, the foods and beverages where aspartame is an ingredient are typically advised to be enjoyed in moderation. These foods also usually do not provide much nutritionally.
Unless your healthcare provider has prescribed you to severely limit added sugar or control your blood sugar, there is no reason to restrict yourself to only artificial or low-calorie sweeteners, especially during pregnancy.
Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners have been the subject of many research studies over the years, aimed at evaluating their safety, including any risks for pregnant women and their unborn babies.
During digestion, aspartame breaks down into three separate products: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. The latter, methanol, is what leads to concern over risks or side effects. Like the other sweeteners, it's considered safe to use during pregnancy. Although it does have aspartame, it's considered safe for women with PKU, because it contains only tiny amounts of phenylalanine. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.
When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Additional information about high-intensity sweeteners permitted for use in food in the United States. High-intensity sweeteners.
Screening, Technology and Research in Genetics. March Expanded newborn screening using new technologies. Amino acid disorders, phenylketonuria PKU. BMJ Gut, January Maternal low-dose aspartame and stevia consumption with an obesogenic diet alters metabolism, gut microbiota and mesolimbic reward system in rat dams and their offspring. Food and Chemical Toxicology, Sucralose: assessment of teratogenic potential in the rat and the rabbit. International Food Information Council, October University of Michigan C.
Mott's Children's Hospital, December Comparing Artificial Sweeteners. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: iStock. What are artificial sweeteners?
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