Is It Okay To Eat Cakes During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, women tend to crave for tasty food, but there are a lot among them who also feel worried that such cravings could affect their unborn child.

For example, if you have a birthday party at your place at the peak of your pregnancy, should you go for that delicious cake and have a piece or two? To have it or not -- the dilemma can be frustrating.

If you are thinking of eating cake during pregnancy, read on to know if it is food for your health during pregnancy or not.

It is not harmful to fulfill the desire of eating a cake when you are pregnant; but there has to be a limit on your intake and that is more important to keep in mind.

Pregnancy requires you to eat healthy food, so that you and your unborn baby get proper nutrition. Cakes, though are very tasty, give very little nutritional value. Hence, it is important that you treat them with caution.

Why Cakes May Not Be Good For Pregnant Women:

If you are craving for a cake with a delicious topping, drop it now. No kind of cream is suitable for you when you are pregnant. Even a homemade cake can be unhealthy, since it may contain bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, toxoplasma, etc. Always remember that your immune system is low during pregnancy and hence any careless food intake can harm you.

The baby's health can also be adversely affected if you are not much careful about your food habits. If you are baking a homemade cake, never taste a drop of raw batter, as it may include bacteria. Even a homemade cake which is not thoroughly cooked can be dangerous for both you and your baby.

Desserts Will Add Extra Kilos:

It is very important to keep a watch on your weight during pregnancy, as it will only make things complicated. And to keep it under check, preventing extra kilos is necessary and that makes desserts a strict 'NO'. You need not stop taking sweets, but have them in limited quantity.

Alcohol:

Some cakes have alcohol content like rum, amaretto, etc., and they should be completely avoided during pregnancy. It is not always true that cooking neutralises the alcohol content and hence even though it adds flavour to the cakes, it can reach the placenta and create problems for your baby on eating the cake. It can lead to birth defects, premature delivery and mental disorder.

Unhealthy Supplements:

Cakes may include herbal supplements that may be helpful in dealing with other disorders, but these are not safe enough for pregnant women.