So I have to say (question also included)-

I am drinking a Diet Pepsi at the moment and LOVING IT!!!!!!

I know aspartame is supposedly bad and something we are supposed to stay away from but can someone tell me why?

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

OMG OMG OMG I'm SSOOOOOOO Jelous!! I would Kill for a fountain Diet coke...Any what is the reason why we cant drink this If its not a good reason I'm going to 7-11 right now!!

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

When I took my BF class while pregnant, the lactation consultant said the molecules that make up artificial sweeteners are bigger, and some believe they COULD damage the brain. Again, she said there wasn't any hard evidence, but she said to steer clear of them while nursing...as for the effect when pregnant, I don't know.

Again, this is what she said, while my doc said to eat them in moderation.

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

well aspartame, when digested, turns into glutamic acid, which is a precursor of glutamate.

glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter, which when in excess, can cause severe damage to the brain. (For example, during a stroke, there is a reduction of blood flow in the brain which causes a huge glutamate release.... which causes a chunck of brain to die)

while adults can 'handle' drinking nutrasweet, becuase the excess glutamic acid/glutamate remains in the blood due to a protective barrier between the blood and brain, that barrier is still being developed in children, infants, and especially fetuses....

don't risk it... if you really need a coke fix, get a regular caffeine free from now on....

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

i have it once in a while. My doctor didn't say that i couldn't.

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

Even not pregnant I was told to stay away from that stuff b/c of migraine headaches.

I'm not a fan of chemical sweeteners, give me a little of the real thing. Then again my only drink other than water is coffee - I hate soda.

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

I have been staying away from them as well, that includes sugar-free foods like yogurt, jello, pudding, etc.

I never thought about while I was breastfeeding.

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

Posted by NewlyMrs

I have been staying away from them as well, that includes sugar-free foods like yogurt, jello, pudding, etc.

I never thought about while I was breastfeeding.

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

Aspartame isn't something you should ingest regularly whiie PG, but once in a while is not bad (per my OB).

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

Posted by wannabemom

REALLY I swear you just made this cheesy-preggo girls day

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

Posted by wannabemom

well aspartame, when digested, turns into glutamic acid, which is a precursor of glutamate.

glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter, which when in excess, can cause severe damage to the brain. (For example, during a stroke, there is a reduction of blood flow in the brain which causes a huge glutamate release.... which causes a chunck of brain to die)

while adults can 'handle' drinking nutrasweet, becuase the excess glutamic acid/glutamate remains in the blood due to a protective barrier between the blood and brain, that barrier is still being developed in children, infants, and especially fetuses....

don't risk it... if you really need a coke fix, get a regular caffeine free from now on....

Message edited 2/1/2008 2:01:55 PM.

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

just keep in mind that there isn't a lot of research on how much of that stuff can actually reach the baby.

many physicians have decided to not really force their moms-to-be to avoid it completely becuase it hasn't been conclusively determined that the glutamate / glutamic acid actually reaches the fetus....

but it also hasn't been concluded that it DOESN'T. that's why I'm avoiding it.

Since there is ample evidence that it causes migranes and seizures in adults, I'll presume it could pass the placenta too.

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

You can eat all the cheeses while breastfeeding, no more restrictions on that. Same for deli meat. You do have to keep watching the amount of fish b/c of the mercury, but I *believe* you can eat sushi while BF (I don't eat it so I never asked, but I think you can). Also, I never asked about drinking, I didn't want to-- I know you can pump & dump too, if you want alcohol, I just never wanted to waste the milk.

Re: So I have to say (question also included)-

i have a diet coke pretty much every other day. i'm not worried about it at all