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Pregnancy

How Much Sugar Are you Eating?

30 replies

DimpleHands · 28/06/2015 13:41

I'm 20 weeks pregnant and beginning to worry that I've been eating too much sugar.

I eat fairly heathily except that I've been adding a sugary treat or two to my diet every day - about 500 calories worth. So that might be a Mars bar and an ice cream, for example.

I'm not worried that I'm not giving my baby enough nutrients - I've been eating loads of healthy food and vitamins on top of this - but does this sound like too much sugar to you? How much sugar are you eating?

And does anyone know if sugar is bad for your baby and if so how much?

OP posts:

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DimpleHands · 29/06/2015 08:47

Thank you all! I am definitely going to cut back!

OP posts:

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plonkie · 29/06/2015 11:44

This is all very interesting to me actually because I've been wondering about the same thing. Like OP I have a great diet in so far as loads of fruit, veg, good balance of grains, meat etc. However, I eat alot generally (I have a high bmi) and have been eating chocolate every day. I can honestly say I had no idea about the potential implications for the baby if you consume too much sugar. I knew it could result in a big baby, but nowhere did I read that this could be harmful for it. I just thought it would make the birth more difficult. Feeling like I've been really stupid now :-(.

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CarrotPuff · 29/06/2015 12:00

If you really want that sweet treat it's better to eat it right after your meal as a pudding as opposed to alone as a snack. This will reduce the impact, although obviously it's still better to cut down.

A lot of books/websites tell you how easily baby weight "falls off" especially if you bf - it's not always the case...

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Bovnydazzler · 29/06/2015 12:38

I think there is a balance between eating healthily of course being best for a healthy pregnancy and baby, and scaremongering.

Pregnant ladies have enough stress without worrying whether the baby will be damaged by a dairy milk. Of course there are limits, but probably if you don't have high BMI already and you aren't digging into family size chocolate bars every day, it's most likely that the only impact will be a bit more weight to lose after birth.

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Oobis · 29/06/2015 14:00

I did a clean eating challenge before I got pregnant and as part of that I completely gave up refined sugar. I will need to have a GTT test in a couple of weeks as I have 2 type 2 parents, so am making a conscious effort to keep my sugar consumption down. I eat loads of fresh fruit and vegetables and as a former chocaholic, can honestly say I have no desire for milk chocolate (maybe the occasional dark!!!) as my tastes have changed. Yesterday I had an ice lolly and threw half away because I didn't want it - if you knew me, you'd really find that surprising!!!

If you're worried, do cut down. If you're not, then don't. I used to 'need' sugar mid afternoon, but don't now. I feel much better for it and how I ate during my first pregnancy (a whole bag of haribo, a whole box of maltesers etc) horrifies me now.

All the best with your pregnancy. It sounds like you've given your baby a great start with all your healthy eating. Keep up the good work!