How much sugar do I need?

I want to know how much sugar I need to consume as a nursing mother of 40 years?

Halimat (by SMS)

The journey of pregnancy involves careful attention to nutrition, as a mother’s diet directly supports the development of her child. Managing sugar intake is a significant part of prenatal health planning, focusing on the quality of carbohydrates consumed.

Hormonal shifts during gestation alter how a woman’s body processes glucose, making it important to monitor sugar levels. Establishing healthy dietary habits sets a positive foundation for both the mother’s well-being and the baby’s long-term health. The primary focus of sugar restriction during pregnancy is on added sugars, not the sugars found naturally in whole, unprocessed foods.

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Naturally occurring sugars, such as lactose in dairy and fructose in whole fruits, come packaged with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which slow absorption and offer nutritional value. These sources should remain a part of a balanced diet. Guidelines from health organisations recommend that women limit their consumption of added sugars to a specific, low maximum daily amount.

The American Heart Association suggests that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day. This limit is equivalent to approximately 25 grams of added sugar or 100 calories from added sugar sources. This strict limit applies to any sugar that is incorporated into foods during processing or preparation or any sugar added at the table. Staying within this boundary helps manage blood sugar stability and prevents the consumption of empty calories that displace nutrient-dense foods.