Pregnant? Stop the Sugar.

Yes, you’re having cravings for candy and cake, and it’s often really hard not to reach for that soda. But Moms-to-be have many new reasons to decrease, or even better, eliminate sugary drinks and foods during pregnancy. A new study in Annals of the American Thoracic Society shows that curbing your sweet tooth while pregnant can significantly lower your baby’s risk of developing asthma, childhood obesity, and even heart disease and diabetes at a young age.

Cutting out the sweets, specifically processed, white, and refined sugars, is not only good for your baby’s health, it’s also good for yours.  It can help to prevent gestational diabetes, keep your weight at healthy levels during pregnancy, as well as make it easier to get back on track once the baby is born.   Higher sugar levels also increase your risk of suffering from the dreaded morning sickness (yes, nausea and vomiting), pre-eclampsia, and low birth weight.

Now before you reach for that little yellow packet, all nutritionists agree that pregnant women should avoid artificial sweeteners at all costs. Instead go for the pure alternative, like real fruits, which are a natural sugar source but also contain fiber, which helps slow down the absorption. Look for whole grains, rather than those processed, sugary cereals.  And try drinking sparkling water rather than soda when you crave that fizz.

Your body, and your baby, will thank you.

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Photo Credit: Dmitry Lobanov / Shutterstock.com