Is Protein Powder Safe During Pregnancy?

Just like most nutrients, protein is needed by the body to support your baby. You might have heard of protein powders being used by athletes such as bodybuilders – did you know that even pregnant women can use them?

Normally, you can get protein from food sources such as rice, eggs, potatoes, milk, and even in vegetables. However, if you do want to consider protein powder as a supplement, you should know whether it’s safe for you or not.

Can you take protein powder during pregnancy?

That depends on the advice of your OB-GYN. They are the medical experts for that. Pregnancy is a delicate situation and if you take supplements without proper medical advice, you or your baby could be in danger.

However, taking supplements can be helpful in general for pregnant women. It’s just a matter of asking for professional advice first because not all pregnant women may need a certain supplement depending on the development of their baby.

How much protein powder can you take during pregnancy?

A 2016 study showed that the best dosage of protein powder would be approximately 100 grams a day. Of course, this would be different depending on how much you weigh and the development of your offspring. Again, we’d recommend you to ask your OB for more information on this.

However, keep in mind that protein powder is by no means a full replacement for your daily meals. This is why you should still have a healthy well-balanced diet, even when eating on the go. Fish is a common protein source too, and the FDA recommends fish such as salmon and tuna (canned-light). Just make sure you avoid fish that may contain mercury, such as king mackerel and white tuna/albacore.

Is it dangerous to take too much protein powder during pregnancy?

According to a 2014 study, if you take protein powder in excess, it could result in slower growth for your baby. This is also enough of a reason why going into some diet crazes aren’t recommended for pregnant women, as they would eliminate some important nutrients or cause an excess of them, causing some not-so-good developmental effects to your little one.

Aside from that, be wary that not all protein powders are made with the same type of ingredients since they are not regulated by the FDA. This is when you should ask your OB for a recommended and well-trusted brand of protein powder for your supplement needs, assuming he/she gives you a go signal for taking protein powder.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, we think that protein powders are okay for pregnancy, but you should still consult your OB to make sure it is safe and that you are taking just the right amount. Too much protein supplement could be bad for your baby, so you should keep it balanced.

We believe that it’s still best to grab protein from actual food sources, like the ones we mentioned above. In this way, you know that you are getting your protein from real food to avoid compromising your child’s health in the future.

For more great pregnancy tips, be sure to read the other blogs on Cyber Parent.

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