Q:
I have heard such negative things about ingesting aspartame while pregnant. I have attempted to eliminate this ingredient totally from my diet; however, I've realized that I have ingested some through things like breath mints, gum, or ice cream. What exactly is the danger to my unborn child?
A:
There was a flurry of research on this question in the 1980s when Nutrasweet® was introduced. I am happy to report that Nutrasweet was shown to be safe for pregnant women. There were no adverse effects on the baby. You can safely ingest aspartame during pregnancy. So Jana, please don't worry about consuming products with Nutrasweet.
Craig L. Bissinger M.D.
Our parenting advice is given as suggestions only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider, and urge you to contact them immediately if your question is urgent or about a medical condition.
