Artificial sweetners - really bad?

ShannonLK · August 2009

I honestly cannot stomach plain water anymore. I'm trying to stay away from caffeine so soft drink wise I'll drink Sprite. I used to use the sugar free kool aid packets or drink Cherry Coke Zero but now I hear so much about artificial sweetners during pregnancy.

I'm planning to talk to my doctor tomorrow but just wondered what others have been told. I've started using regular kool aid packets now but they have sugar in them.

Is it damned if you do, damed if you don't?

BrideBuddies · August 2009

I always try to avoid anything with artificial sweeteners anyway, so pretty much all I drink is plain filtered water. I guess I'd be more comfortable with plain old sugar than the chemical crap. Maybe you can make diluted Kool-Aid or only use half the sugar in it? It'll probably taste pretty weak, but just not as sugary.

However, have you tried carbonated flavored water? Not the stuff with aspertain (or however you spell that)

In my area, I love LaCroix brand. All it is is carbonated water and flavoring, like lime, berry or lemon. And it's great for making you burp!

thefuturemrskudla · August 2009

my dr told me no fake sweeteners.

rsd12 · August 2009

I personally would not drink artificial sweetners, I don't drink them when I am not pregnant either. A friend told me about coconut water - you can get it at a health food store. I have not tried it yet, but it does not have sugar in it & has the extra stuff like potas. like in gatorade too.. she just said be sure to drink it cold.

violetblue72 · August 2009

I've always pretty much stayed away from artificial sweeteners. I love homemade lemonade with just water, fresh lemon juice and however much sugar you want to add and naturally decaf. hot tea if you're looking for some different drink ideas.

Julia-Henry · August 2009

I'm not very worried about sweetners. I don't drink them often, but I would not worry about a diet coke a day if I wanted it.

And I know what you mean about plain water! I've been drinking Arnold Palmers - half unsweetened tea, half lemonade, and really refreshing. Plus it gives a tiny bit of caffeine, and it's not too sweet!

RaeAnt · August 2009

Personally, I wouldn't do the artificial sweetener route right now.

There are other sodas that are caffine free as well, ginger ale, most root beer (except Barqs). orange soda... I know Crush is caffine free. Some store brands as well. I've foudn one that has dark cherry cola caffine free. I"ve also been going to a lot of kids drinks and juice for something different. i can't always stomach plain water. I just got some Capri Sun and Kool Aid. many companies are making organic, low sugar or all natural drinks for kids, so that is what I've been looking for. You can also do lemon or limades as well.Oh, and I'm a big milk drinker. I also like some soy milks as well which are really good for women.

It boils down to you intake. You can still have a little caffine, but I wouldn't say more than a can of soda or glass of tea or cup of coffee. As for the sugar, like anything else, moderation.

Laura Cochran · August 2009

The research I've done says that there is no clear link between artificial sweetners and any pregnancy problems. Like all things, it's best in moderation. Sometimes, I just can't drink another ounce of water and need that wonderful bubbly, carbonated burn and full sugar sodas are just too syrupy. Like I said, moderation.

Of course, I also eat deli meat (no microwaving), drink coffee every morning, sleep on my back and all manner of other things so perhaps I'm not the best example.

ShannonLK · August 2009

lebraly:

The research I've done says that there is no clear link between artificial sweetners and any pregnancy problems. Like all things, it's best in moderation. Sometimes, I just can't drink another ounce of water and need that wonderful bubbly, carbonated burn and full sugar sodas are just too syrupy. Like I said, moderation.

Of course, I also eat deli meat (no microwaving), drink coffee every morning, sleep on my back and all manner of other things so perhaps I'm not the best example.

I'm glad to hear ALL of this!

jarbatz · August 2009

lebraly:

The research I've done says that there is no clear link between artificial sweetners and any pregnancy problems. Like all things, it's best in moderation. Sometimes, I just can't drink another ounce of water and need that wonderful bubbly, carbonated burn and full sugar sodas are just too syrupy. Like I said, moderation.

Of course, I also eat deli meat (no microwaving), drink coffee every morning, sleep on my back and all manner of other things so perhaps I'm not the best example.

Amen! Me too! Last night I surveyed my mom (who had 5 kids), my 2 sisters and 1 SIL who between the 3 of them have 11 kids, and they agreed unanimously that they did everything "in moderation". And I, as well as my 4 siblings and my 11 neices and nephews are all completely healthy!

robynlesley · August 2009

I skipped diet sodas and artificial sweeteners mostly because they were making me feel a bit ... off. I'll have regular decaf soda occasionally and some Snapple drinks. But, overall, I've been good with just drinking water.

After my 20 week u/s, I started drinking coffee again at my job. But I didn't have it every day and only drank 1 cup. Haven't had any in two weeks, since I like the caffeine and am not sure it's a good idea while breastfeeding. Had to wean myself off again.