No beverages are off limits when you’re expecting, but some are better than others. In general, it’s best to drink water instead of sodas while pregnant. There isn’t any one beverage that is universally bad for a growing fetus, but each has its own set of risks. Some drinks have more sugar than others, some have more chemicals or additives than others, and some can even cause nausea or other unpleasant side effects in the mother. Let your doctor be your final authority on what you can and cannot drink while pregnant, but here is what we know about Sprite (and many other popular beverages). Keep reading to discover if drinking this soft drink could be unsafe during pregnancy and its potential risks for your developing baby.
What is Sprite?
Sprite is a soft drink made and distributed by the Coca-Cola Company. Although the exact recipe is a tightly guarded secret, the drink is primarily water, lemon juice, and sugar. It is also said to contain a small amount of carbonated water, citric acid, sodium benzoate, natural flavourings, and artificial flavourings. There are many different varieties of Sprite, including diet varieties. Sprite is the world’s most popular soft drink, with nearly one billion bottles and cans sold each year. It is primarily sold in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The drink is also one of the most heavily advertised soft drinks in the world, with billions of dollars spent on marketing each year. Sprite is available in a variety of sizes, including small cans, large cans, 2-litre bottles, and 1-litre bottles. It is also sometimes offered in larger “Big Gulp” sizes.
How Many Calories Are in a Can of Sprite?
The amount of calories in a can of Sprite depends on the size of the can, but it’s generally around 40 calories per serving. The small cans generally have around 40 calories per can, while the larger cans have around 100 calories per can. The majority of those calories come from sugar, with smaller amounts coming from carbohydrates, protein, and fat. The drink has no significant amount of vitamins or minerals, with the exception of small amounts of sodium. As with most soft drinks, the main concern with Sprite isn’t the calories, but the amount of added sugar. The drink is primarily sugar water, with very few other nutrients.
Is Sprite Safe to Drink During Pregnancy?
As with all pregnancy topics, there are no hard and fast rules. Pregnant women should talk to their doctor about what is and is not safe for them to drink. The general rule is to stay away from sugary drinks. These drinks provide calories that the body can’t digest and they pass right through to the baby. As a result, they end up storing the extra sugar as fat, which can lead to obesity in childhood. However, “sugar-free” drinks have their own set of issues. These drinks usually have artificial sweeteners, and there is some debate over whether they are safe for the baby or not. Each pregnant woman needs to discuss what she drinks with her doctor and make her own decision.
Pros of Drinking Sprite While Pregnant
The only real “pro” to drinking Sprite is that it has no significant risks. It is a very mild soft drink, so it’s not likely to cause any harm to the baby. If nothing else, it’s a good place to start. Once a pregnant woman is used to drinking soda, she can slowly move on to more nutritious soft drinks. Sprite is also very widely available, so it’s easy to find at any time of day. It also comes in a wide variety of flavours, so there is usually something for everyone. It’s also pretty cheap, which is nice since a pregnant woman’s grocery bill will skyrocket.
Cons of Drinking Sprite While Pregnant
The biggest “con” to drinking Sprite during pregnancy is that it has a ton of added sugar. This is particularly harmful to both the mother and the baby. Too much sugar can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, all of which can be harmful to both the mother and the baby. Sugar also causes fatigue, mood changes, and even headaches. This can make pregnancy, which is already exhausting, even more difficult. There are also some concerns that the artificial sweeteners in diet soft drinks may be harmful. These sweeteners are not regulated by the FDA, so their long-term health effects are unknown.
The Bottom Line
Sprite is a very mild soft drink, with only 40 calories per can. The drink also has no vitamins or minerals, and it’s primarily made of sugar. This can make it a good choice for pregnant women who want something to drink, but don’t want to take in a lot of calories or sugar. Sprite has no known risks to pregnancy, but it also doesn’t provide any real benefits. Pregnant women should be careful not to drink too many sugary drinks or too much caffeine, but Sprite is a mild soft drink that is unlikely to cause harm. If nothing else, Sprite is a good place to start for pregnant women who want to drink something and aren’t sure what’s safe. Once women get used to drinking soda, they can start moving on to more nutritious drinks like water or milk.