When it comes to making food choices from day to day, people often feel insecure and nervous. Baked goods like cakes are often seen as unhealthy and dense. When indulged once in a while or in blue moon, they are an exceptional option to satisfy sweet cravings. This indulgence is high in calories and to a certain extent fiber, which can sometimes be beneficial in maintaining healthy lifestyle goals. However, the inclusion of cakes during pregnancy is controversial.
Pregnancy is one of the most delicate and important stages in a woman’s life. It directly affects the development of the unborn child. Therefore, it is essential for women to pay particular attention to their food choices. Most expectant mothers develop cravings or aversions for certain foods. One such craving or craving is for cake. If she has also developed a craving for cake, it is important for her to get proper information about its safety for consumption, while understanding its advantages and disadvantages.
In This Article
- Are Cakes Safe To Eat During Pregnancy?
- Benefits of Eating Cakes During Pregnancy
- What Kind of Cake Can You Eat?
- What Are Some Alternatives To Cake?
- Risks Associated With Eating Cake During Pregnancy
- Precautions When Eating Cheesecake During Pregnancy
- FAQ’s
Are Cakes Safe To Eat During Pregnancy?
There is no doubt with regards to picking food choices especially for baked goods like cakes during pregnancy to satisfy cravings and nutrition. Cake is appreciable only in moderate limits while being aware about the ingredients used. Though not announced officially, it is equally critical to maintain the portions and avoid excess weight gain or complications.
Benefits of Eating Cakes During Pregnancy
Cake is safe to eat within moderate limits during pregnancy. It helps to satisfy hunger and cravings greatly. There are several benefits provided by cakes during pregnancy. Eating cake boosts mood and cheers during the most stressful periods of pregnancy by releasing endorphins. In addition, cakes are high in carbohydrates and calories which helps meet energy needs during pregnancy and also supports the fetal development [1].
What Kind of Cake Can You Eat?
During gestation, hormonal changes bring cravings for sweets. It is recommended to enjoy small portions of desserts such as cake as it is safe to consume. There are certain cakes types enjoyed in moderation and satisfy upbringing mothers’ cravings:
Angel Food Cakes
These guilt-free indulgences are made with beaten egg whites giving a light and fluffy texture to cake. Incorporating this cake in moderation is sufficient. However, it is better to avoid sweeteners since it leaves a bitter taste after baking and has negative effects on health.
Yogurt Cake
Yogurt’s abundance in essential nutrients and bacteria (Lactobacilli) is a great option in making cake because it refrains from including raw eggs. It is safe to consume this cake immediately before it becomes the breeding place for bacteria and spoilage.
Carrot Cake
This is another nutri-choice to indulge during pregnancy. The presence of beta carotene in carrots is essential for the fetus. It is best to prepare with whole wheat flour or even gluten-free flour and enjoy it as a healthy and delicious dish.
What Are Some Alternatives To Cake?
Pregnancy brings joy and excitement as well as challenges. One such is an irresistible desire for food, specifically rich desserts which if over consumed leads to undesirable weight gain and medical problems. It is obvious that no upbringing mothers would harm the growing fetus by doing this. There are suitable substitutes for cakes.
Fresh Fruits
Rich in potassium, beta-carotene and Vitamin C and fiber, fruits provide satisfaction and nourishment during gestation. One can customize recipes not just to satisfy cravings but add variety to diet [2].
Dark Chocolate
It provides antioxidants with low sugar and lactose levels compared to other ones. Dark chocolates of different brands are available and this can confuse as to what to choose. Pregnant women should focus on the ones that show the percentage of darkness and serving size.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a magical alternative for cakes and a key ingredient used for making parfaits and salads. Addition of Greek Yogurt will boost protein levels and satisfy the cravings to a great extent
Risks Associated With Eating Cake During Pregnancy
Pregnant women deal with crazy desires towards specific food like never ever. Over indulging in any food can result in complications. Let’s know in brief about the risks associated with eating cake during pregnancy:
Excess Gestational Weight Gain
Excess intake of cake during gestation leads to weight gain and complicates pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, macrosomia, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes [3].
Weakens the Immune System
Strengthening the immune system is primemost factor during pregnancy especially in the presence of hypertension, diabetes or even nutritional deficiencies and are prone to viral infections.
Poor Oral health
The sugar present in cakes impacts orally during pregnancy. As per American Dietary Guidelines, a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates negatively impacts the fetal health by bacterial multiplication in teeth leading to decay and gingivitis [4].
Gestational Diabetes
It is a condition typically developed around 24 weeks of pregnancy. Foods such as fruit cake have a high Glycaemic Index which easily raises blood sugar levels and causes insulin resistance by preventing insulin activity in the womb [5].
Raised Lipid profile
Bakery products such as cake are high in Trans Fats which increases activity of plasminogen activator inhibitors which is a strong factor for fetal loss. Elevated trans-fats leads to negative lipid homeostasis by hindering the transfer of PUFAs to fetus or interfere with metabolism
Precautions When Eating Cheesecake During Pregnancy
Everyone loves cheesecakes and cravings for this dessert are common. Cheesecake contains some fats, vitamins and proteins that support fetal growth and development. This creamy dish is considered safe during pregnancy only if eaten in moderation. The core ingredient- cheese is unpasteurized and has negative effects on both mother and child.
Some other points to consider are:
- Avoid using raw or unprocessed eggs in cheesecakes
- It is best not to eat unbaked ones
- Always read the labels starting from ingredients to expiry date to avoid confusion
- Moderation is the key. Prefer to eat within the limits
Many women have unexpected and irresistible temptations during pregnancy. Sweet cravings during pregnancy are common but excess consumption negatively impacts such as weight gain, insulin functioning disruptions and also oral problems. Cakes during pregnancy can only be safe if taken in moderate limits in order to satisfy the sweet tooth.
FAQ’s
1. Does Craving Cake Mean Gestational Diabetes In Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is the period where women’s taste and food choices alter. Craving for food like cake cannot be solely the primary reason for gestational diabetes. However, excess intake can result in overweight or obesity and type-2 Diabetes as well.
2. Are Cakes Prepared At Home Safe?
Cakes prepared at home can be considered safe if the quality of freshness in the ingredients is assured and there is no use of uncooked or under-cooked eggs.
3. Can Cakes Made With Artificial Sweeteners Be Safe To Consume During Pregnancy?
If there are already pre-conditions, it is best to consult an expert before consuming cake made with artificial sweeteners especially saccharin to avoid or prevent further complications
References–
- Bakery foods are the major dietary source of trans-fatty acids among pregnant women with diets providing 30 percent energy from fat
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002822302900155] - Fresh fruit intake in pregnancy and association with gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective cohort study
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900718304088] - Unhealthy dietary patterns are associated with weight gain during pregnancy among Finnish women
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19323867/] - Oral care in pregnancy
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30556662/] - The type and frequency of consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods may play a role in the clinical expression of insulin resistance during pregnancy
[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224832675]
