Are There Heavy Metals In The Protein Powder
Testing for heavy metals, especially in plant-based protein powders is important. It wasnt known for quite sometime the amount of heavy metals found in protein powders, and more companies are working hard to test and eliminate the existence of heavy metals. Find a protein powder that does testing for heavy metals, like mine, or reach out to their customer service to ask if they do!
What Ingredients Should I Avoid In My Protein Powder When Pregnant
-
Additional vitamins or minerals, especially if youre taking a prenatal vitamin supplement, which will already provide all your micronutrients. Normally you might look for products to give you an extra nutrition boost, but during pregnancy you want to ensure youre not consuming excessive amounts, which could have adverse effects on yours and your babys health.
-
Added sugar, which may increase your risk of gestational diabetes and blood sugar imbalances.
- Artificial sweeteners. Look out for the most popular sweeteners, like sucralose, saccharin and aspartame, which can also affect your blood sugar through your microbiome. These sweeteners are present in a lot of protein powders, so make sure to triple check your protein powder of choice is free from these! Opt for natural sweeteners like stevia extract instead, which are considered safe for pregnancy.
The Ideal Pregnancy Diet
Pregnant women should focus on eating whole foods, whole grains, lean proteins, leafy greens, veggies, fruits, and healthy fats. And they should limit sugary, processed, and fried foods.
NOTE: It is not safe to follow the keto diet while pregnant.
Calories
Pregnant women with a normal body weight should consume about 1800 calories per day in the first trimester, 2200 calories in the second trimester, and 2400 calories in the third trimester.
Water
In addition to healthy, foods, pregnant women should also focus on drinking plenty of water. Water helps form the amniotic fluid around the fetus. And it also helps circulate nutrients throughout the body.
During pregnancy, you should drink 8-12 cups of water per day.
Protein
Youll also need 70 to 100grams of protein daily.
But, this may vary depending on the number of babies youre carrying or other special circumstances. Protein requirements also increase from the first trimester to the third trimester.
As a general rule, for the first trimester, you can convert your weight to kilograms, then multiply that number by 1.2. And this will be about the amount of protein you need.
And for the third trimester, multiply your weight by 1.52.
However, you should always consult with your OBGYN or midwife to make sure youre getting enough protein at each point in your pregnancy journey.
Protein is responsible for building, supporting, and maintaining cells and organs in your and your babys growing bodies.
Recommended Reading: Is Headaches Early Signs Of Pregnancy
Why Do Some Women Use Protein Shakes During Pregnancy
Put aside any notion that protein powder is just for building muscle after a hard workout. Many women will opt for a protein shake during pregnancy for multiple reasons:
- You’re experiencing morning sickness or a food aversion. Often times, protein powder may be the only protein source you can stomach.
- You’re tired. If you’re too tired to cook up chicken breasts, protein powder is a quick and easy source of protein.
- You’re vegan or vegetarian. You may be accustomed to leaning on vegan protein powders to help you meet your protein needs.
Whatever the reason, using protein powder and drinking protein shakes is common during pregnancy, and the question of whether it is safe for mom and baby during this precious time is a common concern.
Can You Have Vegan Protein Powder When You’re Pregnant
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is critical during pregnancy. The amount of protein you consume plays a huge part in your babys growth and development, so its important to get it right. If youre struggling to hit the recommended daily protein intake during pregnancy, you might be wondering: can you have vegan protein powder when youre pregnant? The short answer is yes, but there are a number of precautions to take when adding a protein powder to your diet while pregnant. We break it all down below.
Also Check: Does Sore Nipples Mean Your Pregnant
Protein Powders During Pregnancy
Many women realize the importance of protein during pregnancy but find it difficult to consume adequate protein throughout pregnancy due to food aversions and taste preferences during pregnancy. If this sounds like you, then you may be interested in supplementing with protein powder. Here are a few commonly asked questions about the best protein powder during pregnancy.
Fortified Minerals And Vitamins
Especially for women already taking a prenatal vitamin, they should avoid vegan protein powders high in added vitamins and minerals.
Because taking vitamins or minerals in more than it is required can be dangerous during pregnancy days. That can lead to miscarriage or cause congenital disabilities to your baby.
Also Check: How To Know We Are Pregnant
What To Look For In Protein Powders And Shakes For Pregnant Mothers
There are a number of things you need to consider when choosing any protein supplementation. Your number one priority, aside from getting the right amount of protein, would be to get the right amount of nutrition for you and your baby.
Here are my key takeaways:
Consider Your Protein Source
- You may not think its important, but the different types of protein powder youll get play a good part in its efficacy. While WHEY may be the most popular option, I highly recommend plant-based pea protein or brown rice protein instead. These are not only more easily digestible, but they usually come packed with a host of other vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial to you and your growing baby. If you want something different, you could also try a collagen protein powder, which will help you maintain a healthy appearance as well.
Sweeteners or Added Sugars
- Try to make sure youre getting a protein powder that contains as few sweeteners as possible. While stevia is a popular option, it would be better to choose something sweetened with monk fruit instead. Stevia may not be the best option for a prenatal protein powder. However, if it can be avoided, opting for an unsweetened one would be best since its also more versatile.
Additives
- Pregnant or not, additives are unnecessary when it comes to protein powders. Make sure youre getting a supplementation that is as pure as possible. You should also remember that artificial additives of any kind should be avoided.
Are Protein Shakes Safe During Pregnancy
Protein shakes are becoming increasingly popular among women of different levels of fitness. But, if you have a pregnancy, you need to be extra cautious about the health of your growing baby. Many women are now taking protein shakes while pregnant for their prenatal growth, but there is always a flip side to everything.
Protein shakes during pregnancy do not have any restrictions as long as the level of protein is not too high and consumed without milk. But, you need to be extremely cautious about the fat content in the shakes. Now, let us see what experts have to say about protein shakes in pregnancy. Protein Shakes In Pregnancy And Caution Regarding Fat Content Obesity and high levels of fat in the body are often a sign of excess fat in the liver. Many women in their late pregnancy.
Also Check: Can I Get Pregnant At 46
Top Protein Powders For Pregnant Women
And, if you prefer to make your own protein shakes, here are some of the top protein powders and protein brands for pregnant women:
- Ingredients youre allergic to
And make sure your protein shakes are free of heavy metals, especially in plant-based products. Any food item that grows in the ground has the potential for heavy metal contamination.
Best Time To Take Protein Powder
There is no special time to take whey protein supplements as a bodybuilding supplement. However, there are some benefits that you may get when taking protein powder according to the time of the day. These are:
- If you are about to exercise, drink milk or take protein powder one hour before starting your exercise.
- Drink milk or consume protein powders during and after exercising. It helps with muscle recovery, especially if you have already damaged them. In addition, it can help in weight gain because milk contains many key ingredients for muscle development.
- It is better to drink milk or consume protein powders at night for faster muscle recovery that can help improve the quality of your sleep at night and prevent muscle breakdown during sleep.
Also Check: How Soon Can I Get Pregnant After Paragard Iud Removal
Also Check: When Do You Know When You Re Pregnant
Simmom Iq+ During Pregnancy
SimMom IQ is a wholesome supplement with nutrients like DHA, protein, iodine, choline, iron, and zinc, essential for the fetus healthy brain development. Folic acid provides the mother with calcium, protein, and carbohydrate energy necessary for breastfeeding. Vitamin D helps build strong bones and teeth.
Antioxidants, along with vitamin C and E, help boost the childs immunity. The formula is low in sugar and fat and has zero trans fats. It provides sufficient fiber for healthy digestion and enables healthy weight gain in the mother.
Sixth It Builds Great Habits For Weight Loss After Baby:
A large part of my program for mamas to lose weight while breastfeeding are protein shakes in the morning. The reason I do this is because the amount of nutrients you can get in a smoothie, which helps with breastfeeding and milk supply. If you are already in the habit of making protein shakes, and enjoying them, then this program or weight loss will be much easier after birth!
I hope these benefits encourage you to monitor your protein intake and choose healthy sources . Protein powder, like Milk Dust, is a wonderful, helpful source of protein that can help you with appetite control, cravings and satiation. Protein also helps keep us energized and maintain our muscle mass.
If you are motivated to stay healthy during this pregnancy, my program is a great way to stick to your goals with recipes, tips and tricks. It also helps prevent Diastasis Recti and works your core to improve recovery postpartum.
Sharing is caring!
Recommended Reading: What Can I Do For Congestion While Pregnant
Is Protein Powder Safe For Pregnancy
In general, protein powders are safe during pregnancy.
Adding a scoop of a clean, simple protein shouldnt be harmful to you or the baby.
However, it is always a good idea to discuss any supplementation during pregnancy with your healthcare provider.
You will want to choose a brand with a very simple ingredient list without a lot of additives that you cannot even pronounce.
As a general rule of thumb, if you look at the nutrition label and cannot pronounce several of the ingredients, I would suggest opting for a different brand.
Are Protein Powders Safe To Consume During Pregnancy
It cannot be said that protein powder supplements are completely safe for pregnant women, as they often contain artificial sweeteners such as sucralose. Although these artificial sweeteners may be FDA approved and labelled as generally recognised as safe , it cannot be said that they are safe for a pregnant woman and her growing foetus. Their safety is questionable as they are manmade and not natural. Some brands of protein powders can also have ingredients like creatine and caffeine in them which may not be good for foetal growth.
If you want to take protein powder as a supplement during pregnancy, it is suggested that you consult your doctor to understand whether or not you need it, and if yes, then which one you should opt for. Since most powders are made out of proteins such as whey, casein, and soy, women allergic to dairy products can switch to other organic protein powders that are safe for consumption during pregnancy.
Read Also: What To Take To Increase Chances Of Pregnancy
Ingredients & Potential Interactions
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included, relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient. Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking.
Herbal blends may be added to protein powders. However, there is insufficient research on the safety of most herbs in pregnancy, so it is important that you exercise caution with these products. Some powders may also contain added vitamins and minerals which, in combination with prenatal multivitamin supplements, could potentially risk exceeding the recommended daily value of certain nutrients. We recommend consulting with a Registered Dietitian about the ingredient list to confirm that all ingredients are considered safe for pregnancy.
Fitmiss Delight Womens Protein Shake
FitMiss Delight was designed specifically with the womans goals in mind, hence the low, 90 calories per serving. It features whey protein concentrate and an ingredient called SolaThin potato protein extract, which is a 90% protein isolate that delivers a 40% concentration of protease inhibitorsincluding PI-2, a protease inhibitor that signals both the brain and the GI tract that the stomach is full.
As a result, this could really help to lose those extra pounds, and 16g of protein is very respectable for helping to maintain and build muscle mass in combination with an effective exercise regime.
This protein powder also contains a greens and superfoods blend that supports good health, and the digestive enzymes protease and lactase that helps to break down and digest protein and lactose respectively.
You also get a nice dose of B12 at 50mcg , which is essential for cell health, neurological function, DNA synthesis, and more.
FitMiss protein powder seems to be a great option for weight management supplementation.
Product highlights
Recommended Reading: Which Pregnancy Test Is Best For Early Detection
Protein’s Role During Pregnancy
It’s common to associate protein supplements with body building and people wanting to pack on muscle mass. While people who lift weights do focus on protein intake, it’s for a good reason! In general, protein helps build, maintain, and repair healthy tissue. And during pregnancy, it plays additional roles in growing a fetus.Livestong.com shares,
“When your baby is developing, your body uses the amino acids from the protein you eat to create proteins in the body, like keratin and collagen, that are important for healthy bones, skin, joints, tendons and ligaments.”
During the first trimester you won’t need much more protein than your regular diet. However, as the baby develops and grows more quickly, so will its need for more protein. That’s why doctors find that diet during pregnancy, including daily protein intake, can affect whether or not a baby has a healthy birth weight.
Ritual Essental Postnatal Protein Shake
- Each serving provides 250mg of essential Choline and 20g of plant-based protein
- Rich in protein to help support bone health
- Soy-free, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and its formulated without GMOs, stevia, sugar or sugar alcohols
- Made with layers of sweet vanilla, subtle nuances of caramel and hints of spice
- Formulated with traceable ingredients
Don’t Miss: How To Reduce Hair Loss Post Pregnancy
Are Protein Powders Safe For Pregnant Women
Yes, protein powders are safe while pregnant – but not all protein powders are created equally.
Protein powders can be used as a term to encompass all kinds of things, from weight-loss protein shakes to meal replacement shakes. They can be made from whey to soy to peas, and can be mixed with all kinds of different ingredients, additives and sweeteners .
The most important thing when youre pregnant is to ensure youre consuming whole food nutrients through a nutritious, balanced diet, so replacing meals with protein shakes or meal-replacement shakes certainly isnt advisable.
However, adding a scoop of a clean, simple protein powder wont be harmful to you or the baby. Youll want to choose a protein powder with an extremely simple formula, no additional vitamins or minerals, and check the label carefully.
Our Unflavoured RITUAL Vegan Protein , for example, only has 3 natural ingredients: a simple blend of pea, hemp and quinoa protein and absolutely nothing else. Its also tested for heavy metals and grown with pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, all of which can often be found in other protein powders.
If you see any ingredients you dont recognise with complex chemical names, as always its best to avoid! You need to know exactly what youre putting in your body – and what youre putting in your babys body too.
Fillers And Artificial Flavourings
Fillers are sometimes added to protein powders in order to add bulk when theyre mixed into a shake. They boost texture and consistency and can make the protein shake taste better. Examples of these include xanthan gum, guar gum and palatinose all of which have little to no nutritional value or benefit. Likewise, flavoring agents are usually devoid of nutrition and often arent as natural as they claim to be. Theyre often treated chemically and processed before being added into the protein powder.
Like artificial sweeteners, its best to avoid fillers and artificial flavorings.
Don’t Miss: How To Prepare Body For Healthy Pregnancy
