Sugar is the generic name for sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates, many of which are used in food. There are various types of sugar derived from different sources. In our current society eating a high sugar diet during pregnancy is really common, in fact studies show women think pregnancy gives them free rein to eat whatever they feel like. However, this can have serious consequences for mothers and their babies.

1. A higher sugar consumption is linked to a higher pregnancy weight gain.
2. Too much sugar increases glucose and insulin levels. So yes, eating excess sugar, does contribute to gestational diabetes.
3. It can contributes to the development of a fatty liver.
4. The birth weight of your baby may be smaller.
5. By eating a diet high in sugar during pregnancy, we are programming our child’s genes to be higher risk for metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.
6. Eating high sugar diets alters our children’s blood vessel structure and places them more at risk for heart diseases. These risk factors are found to be present in our children as early as age 7!
7. Eating a diet high in added sugars increases risk of pre-eclampsia.
8. Drinking both artificially-sweetened soft drinks, and standard soft drinks increases risk of pre-term delivery.
9. Prenatal and pregnancy consumption of sugar has been linked to having obese children.
10. You increase your likelihood of having nausea and/or vomiting if you eat a diet high in carbohydrates and added sugars.

Original article: https://www.healthymummy.com/10-reasons-avoid-much-sugar-pregnancy/