You certainly already have a list of what to eat and not to eat while pregnant. However, you may succumb to your pregnancy food cravings, which are common among pregnant women. For example, eating a cake during pregnancy is one such pregnancy craving. If you are considering eating cake while pregnant but aren’t sure if giving in to the temptation may harm your unborn child, this post will clear things up. So before you tempt your taste buds, read on to know if eating cake is safe when you’re pregnant.
Is It Safe To Eat A Cake During Pregnancy?
The good news is that while you are pregnant you can still give in to your sweet craving, once in a while. The real news is that you cannot go on a binging spree, especially when you are pregnant. What you eat during your pregnancy is extremely crucial, as it is the sole source of nutrition for your unborn baby. Your bouts of morning sickness during pregnancy may be taking a toll on your intake. Therefore, whatever little you manage to eat should be healthy and nutritious. Cakes, no matter how delicious they are, provide little nutritional value (1). Consult your doctor before you pamper your taste buds. Having a slice of plain cake with no icing is fine. However, if you are planning to have one with that yummy topping, you should drop the idea. Your doctor may ask you to refrain from the intake of any kind of cream or custard on your cake in pregnancy as they could be made from raw eggs (2). Eating a homemade cake too can spell danger, as it may contain bacteria and parasites like salmonella, listeria, toxoplasma, E.coli and staphylococcus. When you are pregnant, your immune system is at an all-time low. Therefore, you are at a higher risk of falling ill, especially when you eat certain types of foods. These foods (containing raw eggs) may cause harm to your unborn baby (3). FDA advises pregnant women to be mindful of these risks and follow the necessary precautions to prevent the risk of adverse effects during pregnancy (4). Giving in to your sweet tooth on a special occasion could also take a toll on your health and your baby’s growth. It is important to regulate your calorie intake during pregnancy. Desserts will make you pile on those extra kilos while expecting. Shedding weight post delivery will be a challenge you will face. You need not ban sweets and deprive yourself for nine months, just remember to eat them in moderation. Remember, a wholesome diet along with an active lifestyle will help you have a safe delivery and a healthy baby.
What If I Still Want To Have A Piece?
If your nutritionist or doctor gives you a thumbs-up, you may have a cake slice. Try to have a fresh homemade one. If you are baking a cake at home, remember to stay away from the urge of licking the spoon. Do not taste even a drop of the raw batter. The raw eggs in the batter will most likely be a host to salmonella and other harmful bacteria. Wait until the cake is ready before sampling it. Avoid having a piece of cake with toppings on it.
