Many women use artificial sweeteners to help cut calories. Aspartame and saccharin are the two most common artificial sweeteners used in foods and beverages. Aspartame (sold under brand names NutraSweet and Equal) are the most common ones in the market. Saccharin, not so popular today, is also added to many foods and beverages.




• Aspartame is a combination of phenylalanine and aspartic acid, two amino acids. There has been controversy as to its safety during pregnancy. It is advisable that you substitute foods that do not contain the sweetener. If you suffer from phenylketonuria, you must follow a low-phenylalanine diet or your baby will suffer adverse effects. In all other situations, limit your use of artificial sweeteners if you cannot help it.




• Saccharine is not as widely used as it was before. However some foods and beverages still contain saccharine. Its use in pregnancy is not safe so it is best to avoid foods and beverages with saccharine content during pregnancy. If you can avoid them, do not resort to artificial sweeteners. It is probably best to totally eliminate any substances you can do without from the foods you eat and beverages you drink.




Do it for the good of your baby.


Splenda is a trade name for a low-calorie sweetener called sucralose, and it is derived from sugar. Sugar passes through the body without being metabolized - your body does not recognize it as either sugar or carbohydrate which is what makes sucralose low calorie. Sucralose is used in salad dressings, baked goods, desserts, dairy products beverages, jams and jellies, coffee, tea, syrups. The good news is Splenda or sucralose is safe for pregnant and nursing women to use.