Pregnancy is a special time in a woman's life. Good nutrition is more important than ever for a pregnant woman. Her diet must supply enough protein, vitamins, minerals and calories for both herself and the developing child. Pregnant women often have questions about the use of specific foods and food ingredients. Many women are interested in using products sweetened with aspartame because they have the sweet taste of sugar without added calories.

What is aspartame? Aspartame, commonly known as NutraSweet brand sweetener, is an intense sweetener that provides the sweet taste of sugar at a fraction of the calories. Aspartame is made up of components found naturally in common foods. It is a combination of the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine, as the methyl ester. Amino acids and methyl esters are found naturally in foods like meats, milk, fruits and vegetables. When digested, the body handles them in the same way as those in foods we eat daily. Aspartame, discovered almost 30 years ago, is now a widely accepted sweetener and is enjoyed by millions of Americans everyday.

Who can use aspartame? People of all ages, including pregnant or breast-feeding women, teens and children over two years old can enjoy products sweetened with aspartame while maintaining a healthful diet. Even though studies show that infants and young children digest and handle even large amounts of aspartame in the same way as adults, it is important that children have ample calories for rapid growth. For this reason, aspartame is not intended for use by infants and very young children. Since it was discovered in 1965, aspartame has been thoroughly reviewed by regulatory agencies around the world as well as leading scientific organizations. The scientific evidence, including studies of pregnant animals, women of child-bearing age and women who were breast-feeding, often using extremely large amounts of aspartame, supports the fact that eating products sweetened with aspartame is no different than eating any other food. In fact, the components of aspartame are found in much greater amounts in other foods that we daily compared to foods made using aspartame. An 8 ounce glass of milk has six times more phenylalanine and thirteen times more aspartic acid than an equivalent amount of soda sweetened with NutraSweet. And, an 8 ounce glass of fruit juice contains three to five times more methanol than an equivalent amount of soda sweetened with NutraSweet.

Aspartame can be used by the whole family. However, individuals with a rare genetic disease called phenylketonuria (PKU), need to be aware that aspartame is a source of the protein component, phenylalanine. Those who have PKU cannot properly metabolize phenylalanine and must monitor their intake of this amino acid from all foods, including foods containing aspartame. In the U.S., every infant is screened for PKU at birth. Therefore, a pregnant woman with PKU would know if she has this condition and she should monitor her intake of phenylalanine during pregnancy.

How do foods and beverages sweetened with aspartame fit into healthful eating during pregnancy? Sufficient calories are very important during pregnancy. However, these calories should come from foods that contribute to nutrient needs rather than from foods low in nutrients. The variety of foods and beverages sweetened with aspartame can help satisfy a pregnant woman's taste for "sweets"without extra calories, leaving room for more nutritious foods. Pregnant women should pay particular attention to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid to help make healthful food choices that provide sufficient calories. The daily recommendation is to eat: 6 to 11 servings of bread, cereals, pastas and grain products; 2 to 4 servings of fruit; 3 to 5 servings of vegetables; dark green leafy, yellow or orange vegetables should be included several times a week. 2 to 3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts; 3 servings of milk, yogurt and cheese. It is important for pregnant women to consult with a physician or registered dietitian for specific advice about nutrition and exercise.

How do you know if a product contains aspartame? The word "aspartame" will be included in the product's list of ingredients. If the product is sweetened almost exclusively with NutraSweet brand of aspartame it may have the NutraSweet logo and swirl on the front product panel. To contact a registered dietitian for answers to your questions or for a referral to a registered dietitian in your area call: The American Dietetic Association Consumer Nutrition Hot Line 800/366-1655 9am to 4pm CST, Monday - Friday

This fact sheet was brought to you by an educational grant from The NutraSweet Kelco Company. Equal, the Equal sign design, NutraSweet and the NutraSweet symbol are registered trademarks of The NutraSweet Kelco Company.