Can you eat gummy bears when pregnant?

In this article we are going to answer: can you eat gummy bears when pregnant, what gummy bears are, how many bears are safe to eat, what is the risk of eating too many gummy bears when pregnant, and what diet to follow when pregnant and how you can make your healthy gummy bears. 

Can you eat gummy bears when pregnant?

Yes! You can eat gummy bears when pregnant, but you need to consume in moderation.. Gummy bears have too much sugar content and can affect your weight gain. If you have gestational diabetes you should stay away from gummy bears.

What are gummy bears?

They are small, sweet, fruit-flavored candy made from gelatin and in the shape of a bear. The mixture includes sugar, glucose syrup, starch, fruit-flavoring, citric acid, food coloring, and gelatin. 

You can find organic gummy bears, sugar-free and vegetarian options. 

Are gummy bears healthy?

No, gummy bears are not healthy. Even if they have protein, they contain too much sugar which can lead to rapid weight gain and gestational diabetes. 

17 or 18 pieces contain 22 grams of sugar. That is equivalent to almost 6 teaspoons of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day for women and no more than 9 teaspoons of sugar per day for men. 

Gummy bears can have up to 4 grams of protein for 18 pieces. Even with protein, they are not the right food to obtain your protein from. The CDC recommends that you obtain your protein from lean meat, fish, legumes, low-fat dairy, and nuts. 

What is the risk of eating gummy bears when pregnant?

Too many gummy bears mean too much sugar. It can lead to rapid weight gain and more health complications. Some complications of rapid weight gain can be fatal for the baby and mom.

  • Gestational Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Complications during birth
  • Baby health 

Gestational Diabetes

You can develop gestational diabetes, you may need to take medication and the mother can develop diabetes even after the baby is born. 

High Blood pressure

You can develop eclampsia and preeclampsia. Both can lead to mother and baby complications and even death. 

Complications during birth 

If you gain too much weight it’s more likely that you end up in cesarean because vaginal birth tends to be more difficult with excess weight. Also, babies of mothers who gain too much weight are usually bigger. 

Baby health 

Moms that gain too much weight tend to have babies with high birth weight and these babies have more risk of being obese and developing diabetes when older. 

This is a table that can guide you on how much weight you should gain. Remember, that dieting while pregnant is very dangerous. It is very important to always include all food groups. Just limit your intake of sugar and junk food. 

BMI at beginning of pregnancy (kg/m2)Recommended weight gain during pregnancy (kg)
18.5 underweight12.5 -18.0 kg
18.5 – 24.9 healthy11.15 – 16 kg
25.0 -29.9 overweight7.0 – 11.5 kg
more than 30 overweight5.0 – 9.0 kg

What diet should I follow when pregnant?

In general, when pregnant you should follow a healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. A few nutrients need special attention during pregnancy, like folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, and omega 3 fatty acids. 

  • Ideally, 2 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables every day
  • Increase your intake of whole grains and cereal foods. Choose high fiber options
  • Milk, hard cheese, and yogurt are great options because they are high calcium foods.
  • Choose low-fat options and good fats: fats from vegetable sources like almonds, olive oil, and avocado. 
  • Choose lean proteins and choose low mercury fish options. 
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Always stay active

Weight gain should be closely monitored because the mother and baby’s health depends on it. 

Do healthy gummy bears exist?

Yes! They do! Here is a list of some brands that contain less sugar and more protein than other gummy bears.

  • Haribo Gold bears
  • Smart sweets: only 3 g of sugar per bag
  • Surf sweets by Wholesome
  • Black Forest Organic Gummy bears
  • YumEarth gummy bears
  • Albanese World Best Gummy Bears

How can I make my gummy bears?

In just 15 minutes with just 3 ingredients: fruit juice, gelatin powder, and honey or stevia. 

Follow this link to find out more about this recipe. 

Other FAQs about Gummies that you may be interested in.

Can you eat vitamin gummies with braces?

Can you eat Trolli gummy worms with braces?

Can you eat sour patch with braces?

Conclusion

This article answered can you eat gummy bears when pregnant, what gummy bears are, how many bears are safe to eat, what is the risk of eating too many gummy bears when pregnant, what diet to follow when pregnant and how you can make your healthy gummy bears. 

Citations

https://mycoosada.com/pregnancy/your-question-what-candy-can-you-not-eat-while-pregnant.html

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