Can Eating Too Much Sugar In Pregnancy Harm The Baby?

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There’s always a lot of talk about what a pregnant mother should and should not eat. Today we have Dan Chabert guest posting on the topic of too much sugar in your diet.

As a pregnant mother, what you eat is very important. This is because you are not only eating for you, but for the baby too. Researchers have indicated that consuming too much sugar in pregnancy poses dangers to the unborn baby as it can cause stunted growth and development.

The effects of excessive sugar consumption are so dire to be likened to those of smoking.

In fact, the effects of excessive sugar consumption are so dire to be likened to those of smoking. Sugar doesn’t only come in terms of the sweet white powdered stuff. It’s also prevalent in pasta, bread, cakes, potatoes, and biscuits. Not forgetting alcohol, fizzy drinks, jam, and some breakfast cereals.

How Much Sugar is Safe to Consume During Pregnancy?

There is no standardized amount of sugar to consume during pregnancy. This is because body sugar requirement is dependent on your blood sugar levels, metabolic rate, and weight. However, as a general rule of thumb, 25 grams or less on a given day is enough.

Here are four reasons to avoid excessive sugar during pregnancy.

Can Lead to Obesity

A recent study published in Journal Pediatrics indicated that mothers who indulged sugary foods and sweetened beverages while pregnant had a high chance of giving birth to kids with obesity by the age of 7. As mothers continually consume high sugar levels, the placenta becomes abnormally saturated with sugar. Once the baby’s pancreas detects it, its prompted to produce more insulin to consume it. We all know that sugar is converted into fats hence an abnormally large kid.

Additionally, high sugar diets during pregnancy magnify the risk of the mother developing metabolic impairment which may affect the growth of the unborn child. That notwithstanding, it exacerbates naturally occurring metabolism that enables the mother to allocate nutrients to the baby.

Increases the Risk of Allergies Later in Life

A study conducted by Queen Mary University of London showed that the mother’s sugar intake can lead to kids to develop allergies and asthma later in life. This was conducted on 9,000 pregnant mothers and a majority showed that after giving birth, the kids were allergic to grass and dust mites once they reached 7 years old.

More precisely, between 20% of mothers with high sugar intake and the 20% of mothers who consumed less sugar, 38% tested a positive relationship for allergy in the kids while the number went to 101% for allergic asthma.

Could Inhibit Placenta Growth

Pregnant mothers suffering from type 2 diabetes or contract gestational diabetes in the course of pregnancy should strictly control the amount of sugar intake. Balanced sugar control helps in reducing the risks of a miscarriage, birth defects, and stillbirth.

According to a report by Mayo Clinic, high sugar levels in the blood increases the chances of pre-term labor and premature birth. Irrespective of whether you are suffering from diabetes, high sugar intake can lead to severe complications both for you and the unborn baby. Some of these complications include high blood pressure, jaundice, and preeclampsia.

Exposes Your Kid to the Risk of Developing CVD

According to a research conducted by the University of Texas Galveston, pregnant mothers with high fructose intake during pregnancy predisposes her offspring to the risk developing blood pressure, and metabolic dysfunction all which are ingredients in cardiovascular disease (CVD).

When the experiment was carried out in mice, the results further uncovered that female off springs were greatly affected by the high fructose levels. They showed signs of insulin resistance and high amounts of abdominal fat tissue.

Healthy Foods To Lower Blood Sugar Levels During Pregnancy

As earlier indicated, sugar doesn’t necessarily mean the usual white powder. There are multiple foods that easily convert into sugars once consumed.

However, by regularly exercising and improving your diet, your blood sugar naturally equilibriates. Here are some of the healthy foods that will help you lower blood sugar levels.

Low-Glycemic Foods

These are the types of foods that have low low-glycemic levels. They include:

whole grains,
barley,
beans,
fruits,
oatmeal,
and veggies.

The reason they work great in lowering blood sugar levels is that they take a considerable amount of time to digest hence preventing the blood sugar from spiking.

Probiotics

This may come as a surprise considering these are bacteria. However, Probiotics help in promoting digestion and regulate the metabolism of carbs which is great for regulating sugar levels. A good source of Probiotics is natural yoghurt.

High Fiber Foods

This food category maintains your digestive health and blood sugar levels. Incorporating oats, legumes, fruits, and vegetables in your diet gives you sufficient insoluble fiber amount.

Proteins and Healthy Fats

Poultry, nuts, and eggs are great sources of lean proteins. Protein works great in keeping blood sugar levels in check and boosting the body energy levels. Avocados, nuts, and olive oil will also replenish your body with healthy fats and proteins. They also work magic in keeping your stomach satiated preventing the unhealthy foods craving.

Final Thoughts

Many of us have a special bond with sugar. Whether we are consuming it directly or indirectly, nothing comes close to the sweetness. This is probably why most of us are adamant in breaking this bond. However, no matter the direction you are coming from, too much sugar consumption during pregnancy can be dangerous.

Consider replacing refined sugars with natural sugars found in vegetables and fruits. This way, you won’t have anything to worry about before, during, and after pregnancy.

What have you been told about eating sugar during pregnancy?

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