S3:E3: How much is too much sugar during pregnancy?

Between morning sickness, food cravings, and fatigue, it's not always easy to eat healthy during pregnancy. Yet studies show pregnant women are consuming too much added sugar. In fact, it’s something some experts are sounding the alarm on, dubbing the problem, "secondhand sugar.” So how much sugar is too much during pregnancy?  In this episode, I sat down with Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer, journalist, nutrition and fitness consultant, author of 9 cookbooks, and Food Network expert. We talk about the health effects of too much sugar during pregnancy, how to deal with sugar cravings, how much sugar is too much, and easy ways to satisfy your sweet tooth without overindulging. Plus, Dana talks about the “dessert flip” and shares her favorite recipes and delicious, low-sugar ideas.   Welcome  3:17 Let’s first talk about your story! 7:18 Why do some women get sugar cravings during pregnancy? 10:07  What are the reasons women should limit the amount of sugar consumption during pregnancy? 17:09 How much sugar is too much sugar during pregnancy? 19:22 When you’re battling morning sickness, and you just want to eat comfort food, how can pregnant moms satisfy their sweet tooth but also limit sugar? 23:05 How do you easily convert grams into teaspoons of sugar? 25:01 What are some realistic tips for limiting sugar during pregnancy? 30:04 What are some low-sugar swaps?  32:39 What about coconut sugar—is that better than regular sugar? 33:40 What are your favorites recipes from your book, “The Whole 9 Months,” LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Julie mentions a 2020 study that suggests pregnancy weight gain can negatively impact breastfeeding and another study about overconsumption of sugar during pregnancy, which experts have coined, “secondhand sugar.” Julie talks about fairlife milk for making homemade banana ice cream.  Dana is the author of 9 cookbooks, including the “The Whole Nine Months.” Learn more about Dana Angelo White on DanaWhiteNutrition.com Follow Dana Angelo White on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. FROM OUR PARTNERS Kids Cook Real Food eCourse The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener.    Thrive Market  Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift.  Vitamix  Unlike other blenders, the Vitamix blends everything up into a super-smooth consistency, much like a juicer would, except you get all the nutritious fiber that regular juicers leave behind. Yet Vitamix is for so much more than smoothies.  Every Vitamix has an entire range of textures to choose from so you can use it to make dips and spreads, nut and seed butters, hummus and guacamole, muffins, pizza dough, plant-based milk, and frozen treats. Vitamix has been around for 70 years and all of their blenders are powerful, durable, and built to last, and come with a full warranty. Get free shipping off any Vitamix purchase over $50.