Re:Is it safe to have artificial sweeteners?
The main artificial sweeteners out there are Acesulfame, Aspartame and Splenda. These are in addition to nutritive sweeteners like xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol and fructose. The nutritive sweeteners are basically just other forms of sugar and are safe to use in pregnancy, even though they provide nothing but empty calories to your diet.
Non-nutritive sweeteners include those that have been chemically created in the laboratory to mimic the sweetness of sugar. The following non-nutritive sweeteners need to be considered: Acesulfame potassium (Sunett) is an artificial sweetener that is added to baked good, frozen desserts, gelatins, puddings and some beverages. It has been considered to be safe to use in moderation in pregnancy.
Aspartame (in Equal or NutraSweet) is a protein derivative added to soft drinks, gelatin, desserts, breakfast cereals, pudding mixes and other beverages. It has been studied by the USFDA and has been declared safe to use in moderate levels in pregnancy and during lactation. As it contains phenylalanine, it shouldn’t be used by phenylketonurics.
Splenda is a non-caloric artificial sweetener that has its base as sugar. It contains sucralose, a form of sugar. Splenda is used in baked goods, beverages, baking mixes, chewing gum, coffees and teas, as well as confections, frostings, fats, frozen dairy desserts, fruit juices and sauces or toppings. Splenda is safe to use in pregnancy and lactation according to the US FDA.
There are some rarer sweeteners that are not safe in pregnancy, including saccharin, which is used in some beverages, Stevia, which has not been assessed as being safe in pregnancy, and cyclamate, which has been banned in the US due to its link with cancer.
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