Don’t I Need Sugar During Pregnancy?

Ever wondered why we sometimes feel sleepy and lethargic after a good lunch? Most sugary foods and drinks are made with sucrose, otherwise known as table sugar. This form of sugar releases energy quickly, causing blood glucose to spike and triggering a rapid release of insulin to absorb it. You might recognise this as a sugar rush, which is generally followed by a general feeling of tiredness¹.

To avoid such dramatic slumps in energy – especially at work – keep your blood sugar stable with a low-sugar intake². This will:

·       result in a healthier pregnancy weight gain¹

·       reduce your risk of gestational diabetes³ and pre-eclampsia⁴

·       reduce the risk of your baby becoming overweight later in life²

Understanding Gestational Diabetes

If your body don’t produce enough insulin to regulate the level of glucose in the blood, you may develop gestational diabetes³. This is a type of diabetes specific to pregnancy that tends to develop sometime after 20 weeks.

Gestational diabetes has been connected to higher birth weight babies. It can be managed if you keep a low-sugar diet to minimise any associated pregnancy or birth complications³. If your doctor or healthcare professional thinks you are at a higher risk of gestational diabetes, he may recommend a glucose tolerance test (GTT) for you at around 28 weeks³.

Factors that can increase your risk of gestational diabetes include⁵:

•    Previously giving birth to a baby weighing more than 4.5 kg

•    Having gestational diabetes in the past

•    Having a grandparent, parent or sibling with diabetes

•    Being of south Asian, black Caribbean or Middle Eastern origin

Minimise your likelihood of developing gestational diabetes by maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight. Opt for a low-sugar diet and exercise regularly¹!

Healthy Alternatives to Sugary Foods

Singapore is a food paradise and we love our occasional sweet treats! However, it is best that you replace them with naturally sweet nutritious alternatives, especially during pregnancy. Instead of cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks, sink your teeth in:

·       Fresh or frozen fruit, such as mango, pineapple, berries

·       Carrot sticks

·       Home-made popcorn

·       Dried fruit or nuts, instead of sweets

·       Carbonated water with added fresh juice, instead of sugary soft drinks

·       Greek yogurt and berries, instead of ice cream

·       Dried fruits like apricots or prunes

Tame your sugar cravings and opt for healthier sweet treats today!