Every bite counts when you’re pregnant. Nutrition becomes not just a matter of personal health but the health and growth of your babe as well.
So, it’s only natural to question whether that handful of sweet, chewy gummy bears is a solid idea. It might seem like a little pampering, but during these times, while you’ve got a bun in the oven, even the smallest choices can feel significant.
I’ll discuss this further and explore some safe tips to keep in mind when reaching for gummy bears during pregnancy.
What are gummy bears?
They are very popular candies that originated in Germany, and they are all over the USA now. I’m not a big fan; I’ve only had them twice in my life—the strawberry and lemon flavors—and they have a chewy texture with a truly fruity taste.
These aren’t the only flavors, though; we also have cherry, watermelon, mango, pineapple, grape, and a few others. Think of them as little bear-shaped treats that are sweet to the taste and fun to eat.
I could remember how sugary they tasted, and that had me checking the ingredients countlessly to confirm everything sweet that contributed to that cloying taste.
They are made up of sugar, gelatin, corn syrup, flavorings, and food colorings. Gelatin is actually what gives them their signature chewiness.
Whether enjoying them as a snack, a dessert, or a treat, gummy bears can offer that tang and a bit of fun in every bite.
Nutritional Value of Gummy Bears
Gummy bears might look small and innocent, but they pack quite a bit of sugar. Typically, a serving of 10 gummy bears has about 87 calories. And all of these come from carbs, specifically sugars.
A serving of around 20 gummy bears can deliver approximately 140 calories, showcasing that while they are mainly made from sugar, they provide a quick source of energy.
From a nutritional standpoint, every 17 to 18 pieces of these candies provide about 2 to 3 grams of protein. This accounts for roughly 4 to 6 percent of the daily protein requirement for women and 4 to 5 percent for men.
However, they do not contain fats and aren’t a big source of any vitamins or minerals. They mostly offer a quick burst of glucose (simple sugars), which can revitalize your energy in the short term but have little or zero nutritional benefit for a balanced diet.
Can you eat gummy bears while Pregnant?
Yup! Pregnant women can indeed eat gummy bears, but in bits. They are safe and can even be a good source of vitamins and minerals as long as you’re not bingeing on them.
They have high sugar and calorie content, which, if consumed in excess, can cause you to put on unnecessary weight and potentially increase the risk of gestational diabetes.
Another thing to consider is the type of gummy bears to eat. Some brands have colorings like Quinoline Yellow, Indigo Carmine, and Ponceau 4R, which are linked to hyperactive babies. Thus, you’d want to check the ingredient list and choose brands made with natural flavors and colors all the time.
Let me also emphasize that while you have the green light to satisfy your cravings with gummy bears, you should balance them with good food. This is your safest bet, ensuring you and your baby’s health remains top-notch.
Tips for Enjoying Gummy Bears Safely
These tips are useful to help you savor and enjoy them safely:
Moderation is Key
Just like any treat high in sugar, gummy bears should be enjoyed in small amounts so that they fit healthily into your diet.
Overeating them means taking in more calories than your body wants, and, over time, might contribute to unwanted weight gain or gestational diabetes.
By savoring a small handful of gummy bears as an occasional treat rather than a regular snack, you can indulge your sweet tooth without overdoing the sugar.
Check for ingredients
Even though they all look colorful and yummy, they sorta differ a bit in ingredient contents from brand to brand. Some gummy bears might have extra stuff like colors made in a lab or other things that make them last longer on the shelf, but these aren’t always the best for your body.
For moms-to-be, knowing the ingredients is extra important. You want to be sure the sweets you pick fit with the kind of foods you feel good about eating. And for those who have food allergies or for people who choose not to eat animal products, reading the label is a must.
So, before you enjoy those squishy, sweet little bears, do a quick check of what’s on the back of the package. Or better still, search and check reviews on the best, safer brands.
Watch for Allergens
This deepens why you should check for ingredients. Some stuff like wheat and nuts found in some brands have people showing adverse reactions to them.
So anytime you check the packaging for the ingredients, look for any warnings that say the gummy bears might have allergens, that they contain some ingredients you’re allergic to, or perhaps are made in a place that handles foods you’re allergic to.
Companies usually put this information on the label to help you stay safe. If you have a known food allergy, you certainly know what to do.
Stick with brands that you know are safe for you. Thoroughly new to these? Check online and read reviews on the best, safest brands for pregnant moms.
Homemade alternatives
Making your own gummies can be easier than you think. You only need a few simple ingredients like gelatin and fruit juice for natural sweetness and flavor. And maybe a bit of honey to replace sugar.
There are bear-like molds out there that even give them that classic gummy bear look. The high spot about making them at home is that you get to experiment with flavors!
Go ahead and mix different juices to make your own special creations or even vitamin C powder for an extra boost, healthwise, though. Isn’t that worth trying?
Plus, if you’re making them for someone with allergies, you can be 100% sure that there’s nothing in there that could cause a reaction.
Balance, balance, balance(your diet, I mean!..)
Think of gummy bears as a small reward or a dessert, not the main part of your meal. Balancing your diet gives your body everything it needs to stay healthy and happy.
This includes vitamins from fruits and veggies, energy from grains, and strength from proteins. Adding a few of these as a treat can make you enjoy your eating plan without tipping the scales away from good nutrition.
Bear in mind that drinking plenty of water is a huge part of any balanced diet, too. Sometimes, when you think you’re hungry for sweets, you might just be thirsty. So try having a glass of water before reaching for the gummy bears.
Check your dental health
They are a fun snack, but because they’re so sticky, they can hang around on your teeth for a while. This gives the sugars leeway to laze with bacteria in your mouth and, in turn, be pretty hard on your teeth (cause cavities).
But no worries, you can still enjoy your gummy bears as long as you’re smart bout caring for your teeth afterward.
Always brushing your teeth after eating gummy bears is a great habit to get into. It helps to brush off any bits of candy that might have gotten stuck and the sugars that can cause tooth decay.
If you can’t brush right away, rinse your mouth with water. That sounds like a good trick until you can get to your toothbrush. Flossing is another big way to get those bits out before they can cause any trouble.
Last but not least, regular visits to the dentist help keep your teeth in fine fettle. Even when you’ve not been eating these, it’s generally advisable to prioritize dental health at this time.
Dentists can spot any little problems before they become big ones. And they are able to clean your teeth thoroughly beyond what you can do with just brushing and flossing at home.
Gummy Bear Alternatives For Pregnant Women!
If you’re looking for something similar to gummy bears, minus the sugar, there are lots of other snacks you can try.
Dried fruit, like raisins, apricots, or apple slices, have always been my go-to. They’re sweet and chewy, kind of like these candies, but they come from fruit, so they contain vitamins and fiber.
Yogurt-covered nuts or pretzels are next on my list. Their nice mix of sweet and crunchy remains unsacrificed. And the nuts chip in extra, healthy protein to your snack time.
If you like the idea of something, you can eat by the handful; try a trail mix with nuts, seeds, and maybe a few chocolate chips or dried fruit for a little bit of sweetness.
For a homemade treat, think baked fruit leather or fruit roll-ups made with pureed fruit. They’re more or less like making your own candy, but this time, you also get to choose what fruit to use and how sweet to make it.
Just sometimes, you might just want something to chew on, and in that case, crunchy veggies like carrot sticks or cucumber slices can be surprisingly satisfying. They’re crunchy and fresh.
And if you pair them with a tasty dip like ranch, tzatziki, or olive-oil-based dips like pesto, they can be just as fun to eat as gummy bears. Trying new snacks can be thrilling, regardless of what you choose, and you might just find a new favorite that’s good for you, too.
Can You Eat Gummy Bears While Pregnant? – This is a wrap
Eating gummy bears while pregnant is okay as long as you’re not bingeing on them. While they are tasty treats, they’re thick with sugar and don’t offer much nutrition.
Your safer bet is to savor them occasionally rather than making them a regular part of your diet. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins should come first all the time.
Eating a variety of healthy foods and treating yourself once in a while can help keep you and your baby good and going. And don’t forget to keep up with your dental care since the sugar in gummy bears can lead to cavities.
