Can I Eat Sour Candy While Pregnant?

Munching on sour candy while expecting is totally fine, but like with most stuffs, moderation is the key! 

While pregnant women can safely eat sour candy, it’s important for them to keep these guidelines on their checklist:

• Don’t go overboard: Eating sour candy in small quantities is the way to go. Too much of anything, including candy, can lead to excessive sugar intake, which isn’t ideal for you or your growing baby.
• Dental Health: Remember that sour candies are acidic and sugary, which can be hard on your teeth. Be sure to brush and floss regularly to maintain good oral hygiene.
• Ingredients: Check the ingredients of the sour candy. Some may contain artificial colors or flavors that you might want to avoid during pregnancy. Always read labels and opt for candies with natural ingredients when possible.
• If you’re at risk for gestational diabetes or have been diagnosed with it, you should get rid of it because eating sugary stuffs like candy can quickly add up and affect you.
• Sour candy can sometimes help with nausea, which is common during pregnancy. However, if you have severe morning sickness, it’s essential to talk to your OB-GYN for more specific advice.
• Manage your cravings: Cravings for sour sweets and tart candies are quite common, with many ‘preggie pops’ and candies explicitly designed for pregnant women coming in sour flavor. However, you may find healthier options to satisfy cravings, such as homemade sour fruit leather or yogurt-covered fruit bites.

Why do I crave sour candy while pregnant?

Craving sour candy while you’re expecting is not unusual, and there are a few reasons behind this:

Hormonal changes

Research suggests that changing levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones affect the brain’s reward system and result in craving for certain flavors that includes sourness. It’s like your taste preferences are on a wild ride!

Nausea Relief

Sour candies can provide a zesty, tangy flavor that might help counteract the nausea and morning sickness that often accompany pregnancy.

The sharpness of sourness can sometimes provide relief from queasiness.

Craving for Variety and dehydration

Pregnancy can make you crave a variety of tastes and textures. Craving for sour candies may sometimes be linked to the desire to eat salty foods.

This craving for salty or sour stuffs is potentially due to dehydration, hence the need for pregnant women to rehydrate.

Sour candy can be a departure from the usual sweet or savory cravings and provide a refreshing change.

Emotional Comfort

Just like anyone else, pregnant women can turn to comfort foods during stressful or emotional times.

The tartness of sour candy can provide a comforting and satisfying sensation, almost like a little pick-me-up.

It’s completely okay to enjoy sour candies occasionally during pregnancy. But remember what we discussed earlier, the key is keeping a balanced diet while you’re expecting.

If you start craving candies a bit too much or feel uncertain about your food choices, no need to stress! Just have a friendly chat with your doctor.

They’ll provide guidance to ensure both you and your little one are eating well.

Does sour candy help with pregnancy?

Sour candy, while not a magical cure for pregnancy-related discomforts, can provide some relief for certain symptoms.

Here are a few ways in which sour candy might help during pregnancy:

Morning Sickness

Some pregnant individuals find that sour candies, like sour lemon drops or ginger chews, can help alleviate nausea and morning sickness.

The tartness can provide a refreshing and soothing sensation, making it easier to tolerate queasiness.

Taste Aversion

Pregnancy can bring about changes in taste preferences, with some foods becoming less appealing.

And sour candies  can be a way to satisfy such cravings and add variety to your diet.

Help dry mouth

Sour candies can stimulate saliva production which can be helpful for people experiencing dry mouth or a metallic taste in their mouths, both of which are common during pregnancy.

What candy should I avoid while pregnant?

To err on the safer side, Here are some candies you should avoid:

• High sugar content
• Candies with caffeine
• Unpasteurized or homemade candies
• Licorice candy
• Ones with artificial additives
• Alcohol-infused candies

What candies are best for pregnancy?

These candies aren’t only going to satisfy your sweet tooth, they are also going to offer some nutritional benefits:

• Hard candies: like peppermints, butterscotch, or fruit-flavored candies can be a good choice because they contain little additives and a lower risk of causing dental issues compared to the sticky or chewy ones.
• dark chocolate: This is also a better choice than milk chocolate because it has less sugar and plenty antioxidants.
• Ginger candy can also be helpful for alleviating nausea and morning sickness . ginger has anti-nausea properties.
• Dried fruit: while not a traditional candy, dried fruit like raisins, apricots or figs can make up for your cravings and provide essential nutrients like vitamins and fibers.
• Yoghurt-covered treats: like pretzels can be a good alternative to the regular ones because they literally combine sweetness with calcium and problems.
• Nut-butter cups: Made with natural peanut or almond butter and dark chocolate, they can be a tasty treat that provides a good amount of proteins and healthy fats.

FAQs

Conclusion

Pregnant women can safely eat sour candy when they have it in moderation.

The secret sauce is to strike that balance between satisfying your cravings and maintaining a healthier diet that’s going to support you and your little muffin.

Sour candies will also offer the relief from nausea, provide the right change of taste and make you comfortable while juggling the ups and downs of pregnancy.

Check the sugar every time – this means opting for ones with natural ingredients.

Go ahead and confront your doctor if you’re unsure or have concerns of your pregnancy diet, and I bet he or she is ever there to put that bug in your ear.

References: https://www.pregnancyfoodchecker.com/craving-sour-stuff-pregnancy-candy-sweets/