Can you eat honey nut cheerios when pregnant?

In this article we are going to answer the question “can you eat honey nut cheerios when pregnant?” and discuss what are the benefits and drawbacks of eating cheerios during pregnancy, are they healthy to eat when pregnant, what can happen if you eat too many honey nut cheerios, and is there a healthier option than honey nut cheerios. 

Can you eat honey nut cheerios when pregnant?

Yes, you can eat honey nut cheerios when pregnant. However, you should eat honey nut cheerios with moderation when pregnant, due to the large quantity of added sugar in the composition of this cereal (2).

The ingestion of added sugars is one risk factor of a high weight gain during pregnancy. In turn, excessive weight gain during pregnancy can lead to health complications during pregnancy and for the unborn child as well (1,3). 

What are the benefits of eating honey nut cheerios when pregnant?

The possible benefit of eating honey nut cheerios during pregnancy is the intake of certain vitamins and minerals which are added in the composition of honey nut cheerios

During pregnancy, the adequate intake of vitamins and minerals is essential for maintaining health and for the development of the fetus (3), in addition to a balanced diet that includes proteins, low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruits and vegetables (4).

Honey nut cheerios contain added vitamins which may contribute to supplying the nutritional needs during pregnancy, including vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium and folic acid (2). 

It also contains 3 g of fibers in a portion of 37 g, no trans fat and no saturated fat, rather unsaturated fats, which are also important during pregnancy (3). In this way, honey nut cheerios can be part of a healthy diet only if eaten in moderation. 

What are the drawbacks of eating honey nut cheerios when pregnant?

The drawbacks of eating honey nut cheerios during pregnancy are related to the high amount of added sugars in this cereal. A portion of 37 g contains 12 g of added sugars, which corresponds to 32% of the portion (2). 

In addition, it contains a considerable amount of carbohydrates derived from starch, which is a refined carbohydrate. While the ingestion of a higher rate of proteins is related to the lower weight gain, the ingestion of a reduced amount of carbohydrates is recommended in order to lose weight (1).

According to studies, the ingestion of added sugars during pregnancy is strongly related to the excessive gestational weight gain, which is a risk factor for the development of health complications in this period of life, for both pregnant woman and unborn child (1). 

The excessive gestational weight gain can lead to diseases, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia (high blood pressure), preterm birth, the need of a cesarean section, growth restricted babies, as well as overweight born children (1,6).

What can happen if you eat too much honey nut cheerios?

If you eat too much honey nut cheerios when pregnant, it is possible that the risk of developing some health problems increases.

Honey nut Cheerios contain added sugars. The ingestion of excessive sugar during pregnancy can cause weight gain as well as gestational diabetes. Overweight during pregnancy, in turn, can lead to other complications, including high blood pressure.

The complications related to the increased weight gain during pregnancy include gestational diabetes, hypertension, macrosomia (which is the baby weight above 4,000 g), preterm birth, neonatal death and stillbirth (1,6).

Are there healthier options than honey nut cheerios for breakfast?

Yes, there are healthier options than honey nut cheerios for breakfast. These include cereals made only with whole grains.

During pregnancy, you should eat whole grains instead of refined grains and choose whole bread instead of white bread. Whole grains contain fibers, which help reduce hunger, increase satiety and help reduce gestational weight gain (1,7).

Including oats, fruits, dried fruits, cheese, whole wheat bread, potatoes or even plain cornflakes are healthy options to replace honey nut cheerios for breakfast.

Conclusion

In this article we answered the question “can you eat honey nut cheerios when pregnant?” and discussed what are the benefits and drawbacks of eating cheerios during pregnancy, are they healthy to eat when pregnant, what can happen if you eat too many honey nut cheerios, and is there a healthier option than honey nut cheerios.

Citation

  1. Maslova, Ekaterina, et al. Dietary protein-to-carbohydrate ratio and added sugar as determinants of excessive gestational weight gain: a prospective cohort study. BMJ open, 2015, 5, e005839.
  2. Honey nut cheerios. Manufacturers website.
  3. Jouanne M, Oddoux S, Noël A, Voisin-Chiret AS. Nutrient Requirements during Pregnancy and Lactation. Nutrients, 2021, 21,692.
  4. Build a Healthy Eating Routine When You’re Pregnant or Breastfeeding. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  5. Jackson, A. A., and S. M. Robinson. Dietary guidelines for pregnancy: a review of current evidence. Public Health Nutr, 2001, 4.
  6. Yang W, Han F, Gao X, Chen Y, Ji L, Cai X. Relationship Between Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Complications or Delivery Outcome. Sci Rep. 2017,7,12531.
  7. Can you have a healthy weight gain during pregnancy? Ministry of Health Singapore. 

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