Is Benefiber Safe While Pregnant

Can You Take Antibiotics While Pregnant

Home remedies for strep throat during pregnancy

You May Like: Kt Tape Pregnancy Round Ligament Pain

Benefiber Healthy Shape Customer Reviews

One customer, Tracy, said that Benefiber is a helpful product. She said she enjoyed the fact that it completely dissolves in water and doesnt leave a gritty texture known in other fiber-rich products. She also said it may people lose weight if they are already dieting. However, she warned that people should check prices when buying the product from merchant sites.

Wende, another customer, was also pleased by the way the powder dissolves in water. However, the cost seems to be a bit of an issue even though it contains many servings.

Where To Buy Benefiber

Are you looking for Benefiber reviews? Head on to Benefiber Walmart. Here you will be able to peruse through various products from Benefiber and read each review.

A variety of Benefiber products are available in Walmart retail locations, including Benefiber Healthy Shape.

Also, there are various other online sources such as Amazon and the Benefiber website that sell Benefiber products.

You May Like: Using Vagisil During Pregnancy

How To Use Benefiber

You can include Benefiber chewables and Benefiber powder in various ways.

You can mix the Benefiber powder with your favorite drink such as coffee, tea, water, juice, soup, or blend it in your batter for baking.

Additionally, you can add Benefiber powder to your cereals, smoothies, or protein shakes to increase your fiber intake.

Remember to monitor the number of calories you take in, especially if you are on a weight loss diet. Read through the ingredients to ensure you do not consume excess calories.

You can cook Benefiber contents together with your foods without necessarily changing its consistency. Cooking does not alter the benefits of Benefiber, and you will not feel a difference in the taste.

Do not, however, use Benefiber packets with carbonated drinks.

Why Do Women Suffer From Constipation In Pregnancy

A few reasons. The first one is progesterone! Your progesterone levels peak in the first trimester of pregnancy. Progesterone is an essential hormone keeping your uterus nice and relaxed, in fact your whole body is more relaxed and so is your bowel. You feel more bloated, this why you feel like you are 20 weeks pregnant when youre only 12 weeks. With this bowel relaxation, its motility slows down increasing your risk of constipation.

Then there is the reduced physical activity. Most women feel tired and perhaps nauseous within the first trimester of pregnancy. This results in being less active, which further slows down your bowel motility.

Vitamin supplements and in particular iron and calcium can also slow down your bowel motion. To add to the problem, more water gets absorbed through the bowel leading to relative dehydration. Finally, your growing uterus interferes with bowel motility, slowing things down.

What can we do?

• Increase your fibre intake. There are two types of fibre soluble and insoluble. The first type attracts water and turns this into gel, which makes your stool softer and easier to pass. The insoluble fibre increases bulk and speeds up passage through your bowel. Both types of fibre are found in vegetables, fruits and cereals. Aim for 25-30 mg a day. To give you some perspective:

1x banana = 3-4 grams of fibre

2x Weetbix = 3.3 grams of fibre

100 grams of vegetables = 4.4 gram of fibre

You may also like to read

Read Also: Vagisil Pregnant

What Is A Good Dietary Fiber Intake For Nursing Mothers

A good daily fiber intake for nursing mothers is around 25-30 grams per day. You can try to get this amount of fiber from food sources, or if thats proving to be difficult you can supplement with a product like Benefiber.

Wholemeal bread and pasta, morning cereals, rice, pulses such as beans and lentils, and fruit and vegetables are high in fibre after having a baby, some women experience digestive difficulties and constipation, and fibre helps with both of these.

There is a growing amount of research demonstrating the importance of fiber and prebiotics for the gut microbiota and why it is critical for newborns to acquire oligosaccharides, bacteria, and other nutrients through breastfeeding. These breast milk components aid in the development and establishment of an infants growing microbiome.

Can I Get All My Daily Fibre Needs From Benefiber

A supplement should not replace a balanced diet. Even though you can have multiple servings of Benefiber daily, use it to boost your fibre intake only. It is important to note, fibre intake should be increased slowly over a period of time. A sudden, large intake of dietary fibre can cause gas and abdominal pain.

Read Also: Can I Donate Plasma While Breastfeeding

Is Benefiber Safe While Breastfeeding

Benefiber is entirely safe for breastfeeding women and their newborns. Its ingredients do not cause harm to your breastmilk.

While moms can take fiber supplements, some women worry that their ingredients may transfer into breastmilk. Fortunately, breast milk does not absorb fiber supplements. It means moms may take them without fear of harming newborns while nursing.

Benefiber Original Supplement Facts

The main ingredient of the fiber supplement is a fibrous substance that may be dissolved with water called wheat dextrin. Its a prebiotic fiber derived from plants that feed the beneficial bacteria in your stomach.

It means it will pass through your body without a digestion process. Thus, it wont affect your breastfeeding or your newborns digestion in any way. Some lactation consultants advocate taking a daily supplement such as Benefiber to aid with constipation during nursing.

If you use fiber pills, you should take 2 5 pills per day. For Benefiber powder, doctors advise you to use two teaspoons three times every day. If necessary, you might need to up your dosage. The essential thing to remember while taking fiber supplements, including Benefiber, is to keep hydrated.

Prevalence Of Constipation In Pregnancy

Constipation is a commonly reported condition during pregnancy that appears to decrease as the pregnancy progresses.

• A case series study found that 39% of pregnant women reported symptoms of constipation at 14 weeks, 30% at 28 weeks and 20% at 36 weeks this study may have resulted in overestimates, as routine iron supplementation was recommended for all pregnant women in the United Kingdom at the time the study was conducted.
• Later studies have found that constipation affects up to 25% of women during pregnancy:
• a prospective case series study found prevalence rates of 24% , 26% , 16% in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively. In multivariable longitudinal analysis, iron supplements and past constipation treatment were associated with constipation during pregnancy
• a correlational study found prevalence rates of 29.6%, 19% and 21.8% in the first, second and third trimesters respectively. This study also reported laxative use among pregnant women as 11% , 15% and 13.5% in the first, second and third trimesters.

Don’t Miss: Is It Safe To Donate Plasma While Pregnant

Can I Take Benefiber While Breastfeeding What You Need To Know

• Time to read: 6 min.

Many breastfeeding mothers are curious if they can take Benefiber while breastfeeding

Some people believe that you cant take any medications or supplements when breastfeeding, but thats not always the case.

Weve compiled a list of frequently asked questions related to using Benefiber while nursing or pregnant with the answers so that you have all of the information necessary in one place when making your final decision on how best to proceed with treatment options. Lets get started!

What Helps A Sore Throat When Pregnant

Home remedies for strep throat during pregnancy

You May Like: Donating Plasma While Breastfeeding

Wait Until After Your Pregnancy Or Take Precautions

Some folks adore meat sandwiches for lunch. Others choose them for their convenience or low cost, while others seek something more nutritious than a fast restaurant burger. To protect your baby, the best course of action is to avoid deli meats until after youve given birth.

If youre going to eat deli meat anyway, we recommend cooking it until its steaming. If the meat is cooked to a steaming temperature, any Listeria bacteria present should be dead. Everything will most likely be alright, but it is preferable to find another go-to cuisine if at all feasible.

Cough Medicines For Pregnant Women

Experiencing a cough while pregnant can cause physical discomfort and generate concern. When simple measures, like sucking on cough drops or sipping hot tea, fail to suppress a cough, some mothers-to-be seek relief with over-the-counter or prescription cough medicine. The safety of different types of cough medicine for pregnant women varies, depending primarily on the specific drug or drugs in the medication and how far along the pregnancy is. Pregnant women with a cough should consult their healthcare provider about the potential risks and benefits before taking cough medicine and to determine whether they need to be seen for further evaluation of their cough.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Also Check: Can You Use Vagisil During Pregnancy

Is Jerky Made From Beef Pasteurized

Pick up some lean grass-fed beef at the Saratoga Farmers Market this week to make your own beef jerky.

Most varieties of lean meat, including beef, hog, and venison, can be used to make jerky. Dehydrating poultry is not recommended. If youre a camper, hiker, hunter, or other outdoor enthusiast, jerky is a great option because its light, chewy, and delicious.

Jerky has also evolved into a favorite anytime snack that is high in lean protein. When dehydrating, avoid fatty meats since the fat imparts an unpleasant flavor. Jerky is created by drying thin strips of lean pork for 10-14 hours at 145 degrees in an oven or dehydrator.

To avoid foodborne illness, employ caution when cooking jerky. Some jerky recipes call for pre-cooking the meat in order to kill microorganisms, however this results in a less appealing product. To produce a safe result, the dried beef is pasteurized in the recipe below.

Jerky can be eaten alone or rehydrated in a soup or stew as a snack or meal supplement. Jerky should be kept in a cold, dry, dark area.

Combine the following ingredients for 2 pounds of lean meat*:

What Should I Stay Away From In The Second Trimester

During pregnancy, a woman should avoid the following foods:

• Swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel are among the mercury-rich fish.
• dairy items that havent been pasteurized
• Brie, blue cheese, and feta are examples of soft cheeses.
• meats and seafood that are ready to eat

Because there is no known safe threshold of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, it should be avoided. All types of alcohol are potentially hazardous and can lead to:

• fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a group of illnesses that affect

Physical, behavioral, and intellectual problems are all symptoms of FASDs.

Caffeine can be consumed in moderation by pregnant women. Although experts say that consuming 150 to 300 mg of caffeine per day is safe, the American Pregnancy Association recommends that pregnant women avoid it as much as possible.

Caffeine levels in an 8-ounce cup of coffee range from 95 to 165 mg, while a 6-ounce drink of black tea contains about 45 mg. Caffeine is also found in cola drinks, chocolate, green tea, and several pharmaceuticals.

Also Check: Sore Breasts After Mirena Removal

Should You Take Fiber Before Or After A Meal

Space your fiber supplement intake throughout the day to keep your digestive system balanced. Take each supplement dose with a large glass of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. If weight management is important to you, take your fiber with breakfast, lunch and dinner to make you feel fuller and more satisfied.

What is the benefit of Benefiber?

Prebiotic fiber doesnt just support a healthy digestive system, it nourishes the growth of good bacteria. Additionally, Benefiber Advanced Digestive Health can help relieve occasional constipation and abdominal discomfort* which is good news for the estimated 19% of North Americans who experience constipation.

What is the best time of day to take fiber?

What Are Side Effects Of Taking Benefiber

Taking too much Benefiber can cause constipation, gas, and bloating. Benefiber doesnt bulk up stool as much as insoluble fiber supplements. Some peoples bodies can become dependent on fiber supplements.

Who should not take Benefiber?

Anyone with stomach or digestive disorders should talk to their doctor before taking either of these supplements. Anyone experiencing constipation for more than 7 days should stop taking dietary fiber supplements, such as Benefiber or Metamucil, and see their doctor.

Is taking Benefiber Daily harmful?

Answer From Michael F. Picco, M.D. Theres no evidence that daily use of fiber supplements such as psyllium or methylcellulose is harmful. Fiber has a number of health benefits, including normalizing bowel function and preventing constipation.

Don’t Miss: Vagisil And Pregnancy

Safe Allergy Remedies During Pregnancy

• Oral antihistamines, like cetirizine , chlorpheniramine , diphenhydramine , fexofenadine , and loratadine seem to be safe. So does cromolyn sodium nasal spray and the steroid nasal spray Rhinocort, according to Web MD.
• Allergy shots: If you took allergy shots before pregnancy, your doctor might recommend you continue taking them. But do not start them while pregnant.
• Sudafed 30-60 mg every 4-6 hours can be used in the second and third trimesters in women without gestational hypertension. Avoid use in the first trimester and with breastfeeding. Sudafed PE should be avoided because of its uncertain efficacy and safety in pregnancy.

Allergy Medications to Avoid During Pregnancy

• Decongestants: During your first trimester, dont take decongestants by mouth, according to Web MD. Decongestants may make some birth defects more likely. Watch out for antihistamines combined with a decongestant. Because theres not enough evidence for their safety, avoid antihistamine nasal sprays.
• Mucinex, Mucinex D, Mucinex DM, and the extra-strength versions of each, because the six forms of Mucinex contain guaifenesin. Avoid taking any of these during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, they may be safe to use during later trimesters. Ask your doctor.

More Notes On Using Medication For Pregnant Women

A pregnant woman should always consider all the effects of a medicine before taking it. Cough medicines for example alleviate the pain but may contain some ingredients which can be potentially harmful for the unborn baby. She should also avoid the stronger version of a medication, drugs containing alcohol and should always consult her doctor before resorting to any medical substances.Medicines treating coughs and colds can be divided into several groups:

Recommended Reading: Vagisil Safe While Pregnant

Recommended Reading: Donate Plasma While Pregnant

Can You Take Benefiber While Pregnant

Benefiber is a common OTC supplement that’s packed with soluble fiber. This type of fiber slows digestion, which can help lower cholesterol and glucose levels, per the Mayo Clinic. But is is Benefiber safe during pregnancy?

While OTC fiber supplements can be a helpful tool to ease constipation, taking Benefiber during pregnancy may not be the best option.

Because the product contains soluble fiber, it won’t speed your already slow pregnancy digestion. Instead, it ferments in your gastrointestinal tract and may cause symptoms like bloating and gas, per the Mayo Clinic.

Insoluble fiber supplements are typically a better option for constipation relief, according to the Mayo Clinic. That’s because they can help bulk up your stool and make it easier to pass.

The takeaway: While Benefiber is technically safe in pregnancy, it may not have the effect you’re looking for. Your best bet is to talk to your doctor about whether Benefiber is OK when you’re pregnant, and ask for their recommendations about better supplements to try instead.

Can You Take Benefiber While Breastfeeding?

If you’re experiencing constipation while breastfeeding, first try to get enough fiber through your diet alone, according to the Mayo Clinic.

But if the constipation persists, talk to your doctor about whether you may benefit from a supplement like Benefiber, and if so, what product and dosage are best for you.

Is It Safe For Me To Consume Bacon While Im Pregnant

Bacon is safe to eat throughout pregnancy. Just make sure its properly cooked till its piping hot. If youre eating out, avoid ordering bacon because you dont know how thoroughly its cooked.

There are meat-free bacon substitutes available, such as soy or mushroom bacon, if you wish to entirely avoid all dangers. Moderation is crucial, as it is with any food.

Bacon in excess is not beneficial for anyone. However, theres no reason you cant enjoy a well-cooked serving of bacon now and then while youre pregnant.

Read Also: Pregnancy Side Effects Week By Week

How Much Fibre Do I Need

Did you know most Australians do not consume enough fibre? On average, most Australian adults only consume 50% of their recommended daily fibre intake. The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council refer to adequate intake of dietary fibre as:

Recommended Daily Fibre Intake

Stir 2 teaspoons of Benefiber powder into at least ½ cup of any beverage or soft food . Stir well until dissolved. Not recommended for carbonated beverages. The recommended serving size contains 3 g of soluble fibre.

What Cold Meats Am I Allowed To Eat While Pregnant

Bologna, wieners , roast beef, and sliced turkey breast should all be avoided as offered products that have not been dried. They may, however, be safe to consume if they are adequately roasted, reaching 740C , a temperature that kills any microorganisms present.

Because they were heated to a high temperature before canning, canned spreads are safe. Refrigerated pts and meat spreads, on the other hand, are not suggested.

Deli meats are either raw and fermented or cooked processed meats. Its possible to salt, smoke, or dry them. Sausages were originally created as a way to store meat that didnt need to be refrigerated. They usually have binding agents like starch or eggs, as well as a lot of preservatives like salt and nitrite, the latter of which is carcinogenic. Its crucial to remember that unprocessed meats are always preferable than deli meats. In this post, we look at a variety of meats and cold cuts that are commonly consumed, such as roast beef and turkey breast.

Because of their manufacturing and storage methods, some meats are more likely to be dangerous. Listeria monocytogenes , a bacteria that causes food poisoning that grows at low temperatures, should be given special care. It can also cross the placenta and induce infections in the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage or fetal meningitis. It is a hazardous bacteria that leaves no visible changes on food, thus extreme caution is required.

Also Check: Early Pregnancy Implantation Rash