Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Diabetic's Concerns about Sugar-Free Foods | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I am 35 and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at eight weeks. I was able to control my blood sugar, so I am not on insulin.
I'm worried that eating sugar-free foods could be harmful to my baby. I am now 27 weeks and have stopped eating sugar-free foods because they gave me heartburn. Do these foods contain chemicals that are harmful?
Also, my doctor has told me that I am anemic. Are there any complications that this can cause? Thank you.— Elizabeth in Sacramento, CA | | | ANSWER |
November 27, 2001 | | | Dear Elizabeth,
Congratulations on your up-and-coming baby. It sounds like you are working hard to keep your blood sugars in control and want to take the best care of yourself and your little one.
The most commonly used sugar-substitute is aspartame, which goes by the brand name Nutrasweet. In general, aspartame in moderate amounts is considered safe in pregnancy. As for the heartburn, there are many ways to try to prevent and to treat these miserable symptoms.
Anemia, which occurs when you are low on red blood cells, is quite common. Often in pregnancy, it comes from a combination of low iron stores and the increase in blood volume that dilutes the red cells. In general, mild anemia isn't dangerous for the pregnancy, but it's better to correct the condition before it comes time to give birth.
Your doctor will tell you if further tests or special medications are needed to evaluate or treat your low blood count.
Take care--and enjoy!— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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