Eating ice cream during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time when women tend to have unusual food cravings. If you’re pregnant, you may sometimes want to eat foods that may or may not be good for your health as well as your baby’s health. Since you’re pregnant, you must be eating everything nutritious on this planet. However, there will be times when you may crave certain foods that may satiate your taste buds but may not be truly nutritious! For example, ice cream is such a delicious food that you can crave it. But is it safe to eat ice cream during pregnancy? Perhaps you may think that a spoonful of your favorite ice cream will not harm your baby, but are you sure about it?
Is It Harmful To Eat Ice Cream During Pregnancy?
Ice cream is a sweetened, frozen dessert that is usually made from dairy products and to which fruit or flavorings are added. We all like to eat ice cream every now and then. But when a woman is pregnant and craving ice cream, she may think twice before digging into the bucket full of ice cream, and for good reason. So, is it safe to eat ice cream during pregnancy?
There is no harm in eating a reasonable amount of ice cream during pregnancy. Yes, you can enjoy your favorite ice cream flavor as long as you make sure it is made in hygienic conditions. Once in a while, you can safely give in to these requests. However, if you are allergic to a particular taste or have medical problems such as diabetes, obesity, or even the common cold, consult your doctor before delving into this topic. Better yet, avoid it if you’re pregnant.
Nutritional Value of Ice Cream
While ice cream isn’t super healthy and nutritious, it can provide you with essential nutrients like calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Ice creams usually contain saturated and unsaturated fats, carbohydrates, and protein. You can also buy low-fat, sugar-free and yoghurt-based ‘light ice cream’. Ice cream can also provide you with vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin B12 in moderate amounts. However, the presence and values of nutrients in each ice cream differ depending on the type, taste, and manufacturer. In general, 100 g of ice cream contains 200 kcal, 22.86 g of sugar, 24.29 g of carbohydrates, 114 mg of calcium, 43 mg of sodium and 429 IU of Vitamin A.
Ice Cream Craving During Pregnancy
Why do you get ice cream cravings when you’re pregnant? Here are some of the reasons why you might crave ice cream while pregnant: Hormonal changes can cause these cravings, and they can make you crave ice cream so intensely that you won’t be able to rest without satisfying that craving.
How Much Ice Cream Should Pregnant Women Eat Per Day?
Ice cream is high in fat and can lower your body temperature. If you eat too much, it can affect your body’s metabolism and disrupt the digestive system. However, you can enjoy it once in a while.
Today, ice creams are available in flavors that perhaps no one could have imagined a decade ago. However, some flavors, such as coffee and green tea, have caffeine in them. Although the amount of caffeine present in them is negligible, you should avoid eating too much of them if you opt for one of these flavors.
Possible Side Effects of Eating Ice Cream While Pregnant
Too much of anything is harmful, you know that. So the same goes for ice cream. Eating too much ice cream can lead to the following complications.
Infections
Freezing can cause a bug called Listeria. Listeria bacteria can live at extremely low temperatures. If the milk used to make ice cream is not pasteurized, you can also get infections. These infections, which contract during pregnancy, can affect placental growth, amniotic fluid, and cause congenital infections in the baby at the time of birth. These can also be responsible for premature birth, stillbirth, and miscarriage.
Weight Gain
Because ice cream is high in calories and fat, if you eat too much of it or every day, it can lead to unwanted or excessive weight gain, which can lead to complications in childbirth.
Gestational Diabetes Risk
Ice cream is high in sugar, which can increase your chances of having impaired glucose tolerance. Therefore, it is not a great option for those with PCOS, Pre Diabetes, or a family history of Diabetes.
Sinusitis and Respiratory Tract Infections
During pregnancy, the pregnant woman’s immune system is suppressed. Consuming too much ice cream can increase the risk of sinus-related allergic and respiratory problems.
The Difference Between Frozen Desserts and Ice Cream
The first question you should ask yourself before buying ice cream is ‘is this really ice cream?’ Ice creams are mainly made from milk, which is actually good for you in limited quantities. However, many products called ‘ice cream’ are actually frozen desserts, as they use vegetable oils or hydrogenated oils, which should be avoided in our diet because they raise cholesterol levels. Companies that sell frozen desserts need to label the same thing on their packaging, so the next time you buy ice cream, look for a label that says ‘frozen dessert’.
Myths About Eating Ice Cream During Pregnancy
Along with the benefits and risks of eating ice cream during pregnancy, there are also some misconceptions about it. Let’s read about them:
Eating Ice Cream During Pregnancy May Affect Baby’s Brain
It is believed that eating cold food/drink or ice cream can affect the baby’s brain. There is no scientific data or study to create this myth. Unless your diet and lifestyle are governed by harmful cold weather and food, the cold cannot affect the fetus.
Ice Cream Is Unhealthy
Ice cream offers a variety of nutritional values that people are not aware of. According to people, eating ice cream is quite unhealthy. But ice cream is actually a great source of calcium and vitamin A.
Eating ice cream during pregnancy affects baby development
It is believed that ice cream lowers body temperature and affects the growth of the baby. However, there is no specific scientific evidence to support this statement.
The woman who craves ice cream has a daughter
This is not true. Craving ice cream only shows what your body needs, not the sex of the unborn baby.
Things to Consider When Eating Ice Cream During Pregnancy
You now surely know that freezing during pregnancy is not a safe choice, as it can lead to potential risks, but you can still eat it once in a while as long as you make sure it is done according to standard hygiene practices. Mark these points when choosing ice cream and enjoy!
- Check if the ice cream you want to eat is made from pasteurized milk. If yes, then enjoy it without any worries.
- Buy ice cream from a well-known brand and a well-known store that follows standard hygiene practices.
- Avoid eating ice cream sold at street vendors and fairs, as hygiene and sanitation can be questionable in such places. Keep in mind that bacteria can grow even in ice cream stored in the freezer.
- If you want to make healthier choices, we recommend eating ‘low-fat’ or ‘light’ ice creams, which are plentiful today. For example, you can buy frozen yogurt ice cream.
- Eat homemade ice cream.
- Check the ingredient list and see if it contains any allergens.
- Do not overeat, as excessive consumption of ice cream can cause colds and coughs.
- If you experience any discomfort after eating ice cream, consult your doctor.
Frequently asked questions about eating ice cream during pregnancy
Can Eating Ice Cream Cause High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy?
Yes, when consumed in excess, ice cream can cause high blood pressure because it contains sodium, which increases blood pressure.
Does Eating Too Much Ice Cream Cause Preterm Birth?
No, it’s just a myth. Eating ice cream does not lead to premature labor, but it should be consumed in the amounts recommended by the doctor.
Is it safe to eat ice cream as a late-night snack while pregnant?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to eat ice cream as a light snack at night while pregnant. But make sure it’s made using pasteurized milk.
Does Eating Ice Cream During Pregnancy Cause Heartburn?
Eating ice cream during heartburn cools down the digestive system and helps relieve the discomfort it causes, making it a very safe option to use while pregnant.
Try to eat as healthy as possible while pregnant. However, a healthy diet of nutritious foods doesn’t mean you can’t succumb to your cravings and eat a scoop of ice cream once in a while. Observe precautions such as hygiene, the amount consumed and timely medical consultation, as well as early recognition of any problems. Eating ice cream can distract you from the stress of pregnancy. Enjoy, but don’t eat too much.
Resources:
1. Pregnancy and Ice Cream; amerikanpregnancy.org; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/pregnancy-and-ice-cream/
2. Six popular types of foods on wish lists for pregnancy; themotherbabycenter.org; https://www.themotherbabycenter.org/blog/2022/12/pregnancy-cravings-list/ ; December 2022
4. Pregnancy Cravings and Freezing; lamaze.org; https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/pregnancy-cravings-and-ice-cream-3
5. Ice creams, chocolate; fdc.nal.usda.gov; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168809/nutrients ; January 2019
