Can you eat Cheetos when pregnant?

In this brief article, we will provide an answer to the question “Can you eat Cheetos when pregnant?”. Moreover, we will discuss if it is safe to eat Cheetos during pregnancy or not and what are the drawbacks of eating cheetos during pregnancy.

Can you eat Cheetos when pregnant?

Yes, you can eat Cheetos during pregnancy. However, it is not recommended to eat Cheetos or other highly processed foods during pregnancy.

Processed foods contain high amounts of salt, which increases the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy. The ingestion of foods such as cheetos, processed meats, and high-sugar foods lead to a higher risk of hypertension during pregnancy (preeclampsia), according to meta-analyses (1).

Processed foods are characterized by having high amounts of sodium, fats, sugars and low amounts of fibers, and to be considered unhealthy to pregnant women (2).

What are the risks of eating Cheetos during pregnancy?

The risks of eating Cheetos during pregnancy is the increase of blood pressure (preeclampsia). Preeclampsia is a disease characterized by hypertension during pregnancy that is responsible for severe morbidity and long-term disability and can lead to death of the mother and the newborn child (1).

Women hypertension during pregnancy have increased rates of premature delivery and of having babies of lower weight at birth.

In addition, the consumption of ultra-processed foods, such as Cheetos, can lead to a higher gestational weight and obesity during pregnancy and a higher body fat of the newborn (2).

What is in Cheetos that is not good for pregnants?

Cheetos contain several ingredients that are not considered good for pregnants, such as high amounts of salt and additives, including artificial flavors, artificial color and flavor enhancers (monosodium glutamate) (2). 

Cheetos contain, according to the manufacturer, in one serving of only 13 pieces of Cheetos (28 g), 10 g of fat,from which 1.5 are saturated fats and less than 1 g of fiber, while contains 270 mg of sodium, which equals 12% of the dietary daily needs (3). 

What is in Cheetos that is good for pregnants?

Despite the negative effects of Cheetos, there are some ingredients in their composition that are considered healthy during pregnancy. These are whey protein concentrate and cheddar cheese, that are sources of protein. 

Proteins are required to compose body tissues and functional structures, including enzymes and hormones (4).

Cheetos also contain iron, which is a vital nutrient and needed for the synthesis of blood cells.

What can you eat instead of Cheetos during pregnancy?

Instead of Cheetos, you can eat many foods that are considered healthy during pregnancy. Snacks can include (4,5):

  • Nuts, which is a good source of fibers and vitamin E and zinc
  • Cheese sticks, which are sources of calcium, proteins and vitamin D
  • Whole-wheat or whole-grain tortillas, which are sources of fibers and carbohydrates
  • Dried fruits, which contains vitamins and fibers

According to scientific literature, the nutrition during pregnancy should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats, and have limited quantities of caffeine, alcohol, and foods high in saturated fat (2).

Food prepared at home is preferential, however, a limited consumption of unhealthy foods is allowed. 

What else besides Cheetos you should not eat during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, besides Cheetos, you should limit the intake of:

  • Burgers and fast foods
  • Refined grains
  • Processed meats
  • High-sugar products
  • Artificial flavorings and colorings
  • Food preservatives
  • French fries and chips
  • Foods high in saturated fats and sodium

Other FAQs about Chips that you may be interested in.

Can you eat stale chips?

Can you eat chips with braces?

Can you eat Doritos with braces?

Conclusion

In this brief article, we have provided an answer to the question “Can you eat Cheetos when pregnant?”. Moreover, we will discuss if it is safe to eat Cheetos during pregnancy or not and what are the drawbacks of eating cheetos during pregnancy.

References

  1. Traore, Stanislav Seydou, et al. A meta-analysis of maternal dietary patterns and preeclampsia. Clin Nutr Open Sci, 2021, 40, 15-29.
  2. Rohatgi, Karthik W., et al. Relationships between consumption of ultra-processed foods, gestational weight gain and neonatal outcomes in a sample of US pregnant women. PeerJ, 2017, 5, e4091.  
  3. Cheetos puffs cheese flavored snacks. Ingredients and Nutritional information.
  4. Mousa, Aya, Amreen Naqash, and Siew Lim. Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake during Pregnancy: An Overview of Recent Evidence. Nutrients, 2019, 11, 2.  
  5. Healthy Eating During Pregnancy. University California Davis. 

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!