Pediasure During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?

Pregnant women have higher nutritional requirements than anyone else. This is because the nutrients consumed by pregnant women are prioritised for the baby, with the mother receiving whatever is left. As a result, it is critical to ensure that you are getting all the nourishment you need during your pregnancy. Nutritional drinks can be a great way to fill the gap in your pregnancy diet, especially if you are suffering from morning sickness or need to gain a little extra weight to support your growing baby. Pediasure is a nutritional supplement that is designed for children and young teens, but can it be consumed by pregnant women?

Is Pediasure safe for pregnant women?

Pediasure is a nutritional supplement designed for children and young teens who struggle to meet their nutritional and growth needs. It is not intended for infants younger than one year of age. The supplement is available in several varieties, flavors, and forms, with an average of 240 calories and 7 grams of protein per serving. Most varieties also provide 27 vitamins and minerals per serving, including vitamin A.

While it is safe for pregnant women to consume Ensure, a similar product by the same manufacturer, there is no clear indication that Pediasure is safe for pregnant women. In fact, the manufacturer recommends consulting a doctor before giving Pediasure to a child younger than two years old.

Pregnant women have higher nutritional requirements than anyone else, and all nutrients consumed are prioritized for the baby. This makes it critical to ensure that you’re getting all the nourishment you require throughout your pregnancy. While Pediasure may help meet your daily calorie requirements, it is best to consult a doctor before consuming it during pregnancy, especially since it contains vitamin A, excessive consumption of which during pregnancy might result in birth abnormalities.

What are the ingredients in Pediasure?

The ingredients in Pediasure vary depending on the product type, but they all contain a mix of vitamins, minerals, and protein.

The PediaSure Grow & Gain Shake, for instance, contains 27 vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium. It also contains 7g of protein.

The PediaSure Grow & Gain Powder contains 23 vitamins and minerals, and is also non-GMO, gluten-free, kosher, and halal. It can be mixed with water, added to recipes, or blended into smoothies.

The PediaSure SideKicks Shake is designed to fill nutritional gaps in a child's diet and contains extra protein and fewer calories than the Grow & Gain product.

The PediaSure 1.5 Cal has a high caloric density and is meant for children at risk of malnutrition.

In addition to these core products, there are also specialty Pediasure products for those who cannot eat enough food by mouth and require tube feedings. These include Pediasure Enteral, Pediasure Harvest, and Pediasure Peptide.

What are the side effects of Pediasure?

Pediasure is a nutritional supplement that is often recommended by healthcare providers for children who don't get enough nutrients from their diet alone. However, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects of consuming Pediasure. Here are some of the possible side effects:

• Affects eating habits: Including Pediasure in the diet can disturb a child's eating pattern and lead to problems in the long run. This is because water and sugar are the top two listed ingredients in Pediasure, with 18 grams of sugar in an 8-ounce serving, which is equivalent to the sugar content in sweet tea.
• Unhealthy ingredients: One of the main concerns is the use of artificial flavors, particularly the vanilla flavor, which is added as a natural and artificial ingredient. While artificial flavors do not pose significant risk factors, it is generally preferable to rely on a natural, healthy diet rather than artificial ones when it comes to children's nutrition.
• Milk allergy: Pediasure contains milk solubles that can be difficult for some children to digest. If a child is allergic to milk, they may experience side effects such as nausea, hives, rashes, vomiting, or abdominal pain.
• Absorption of vitamins and minerals: While Pediasure may contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals, the bioavailability of these nutrients is questionable. Many of these vitamins are introduced to the body in pill, liquid, or supplement forms, which do not guarantee their absorption. Additionally, a significant portion of these nutrients may be excreted in the child's urine, indicating that they are not being fully absorbed.
• Processed protein: The proteins in Pediasure are derived as isolates and concentrates from milk, soy, and peas, indicating that the whole food has been highly processed and may have lost its essential nutrients. Milk protein concentrate, one of the ingredients in Pediasure, is also a cheap ingredient that often undergoes little to no inspection.
• High sugar content: Sugar contributes to around 30% of Pediasure's calories, with a cup serving containing around 240 calories, 80 of which come from fat, 25 from protein, and the rest from carbohydrates. This means that a bottle of Pediasure is equivalent to 4.5 teaspoons of sugar, making it a very appealing drink for children.
• Sodium caseinate: This is an alternative to milk and gluten protein. While it may be worth trying if a child cannot digest wheat or milk products, there have been studies suggesting that an overdose of casein can lead to the growth of cancer cells, although the results are not consistent.
• Genetically modified oil: Corn Maltodextrin (GMO) is used as a thickener in soups, salad dressings, and soft drinks, while safflower oil and canola oil, which are mostly like GMOs, contribute to most of the fats in this drink. I am sure, none of us would really favour the genetically modified oil as the main source of nutrients for our kids.
• Sweetened with corn syrup: As per a study in the journal "Preventive medicine", toddler drinks mainly consist of powdered milk, corn syrup, and vegetable oil. Lactose in the milk is replaced with corn syrup to make it taste sweeter, but using it as the primary milk-carbohydrate source for infants under one year is nutritionally inadequate. Thereby, this should not be something that your child consumes a number of times throughout the day.
• Weight gain: Many parents consider Pediasure as a quick remedy for picky eaters. However, Abbott, the manufacturer of Pediasure, has referred to "clinical trials" conducted on children at risk for malnutrition, which may not be the case for most American homes.
• Overdose of certain vitamins and minerals: Some parents may decide to buy Pediasure without consulting a healthcare professional, simply because they have seen it advertised on television. It is important to remember that if a child can drink up to two glasses of milk a day and have a balanced diet, they may not require Pediasure. Although rare, an overdose of certain vitamins and minerals can lead to harmful effects.

What are the benefits of Pediasure?

Pediasure is a nutritional supplement that is designed for children and teens aged between 2 and 15 years old. It is intended for those who have a poor appetite or insufficient food intake, which could lead to malnutrition or weight loss. It is also suitable for children with certain medical conditions that restrict their consumption of essential nutrients.

Pediasure is clinically proven to promote healthy bone growth and strengthen the immune system. It contains 27 vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D and calcium, which are crucial for bone growth and healthy bone density. It also includes vitamins C and E, and selenium, which are antioxidant compounds that play a vital role in strengthening the immune system.

The supplement is also beneficial for picky eaters, as it can help them get their recommended daily value of nutrients. It is gluten-free and suitable for lactose-intolerant children.

However, it is important to note that Pediasure has a high sugar content, which may be unsuitable for children with diabetes. It is also expensive compared to other adult nutritional supplements, and it is not suitable for dairy-free diets.

What is the recommended daily intake of Pediasure?

The recommended daily intake of Pediasure depends on the child's age. For children aged one to eight years, it is recommended to give up to two servings each day, while children aged nine to ten years can consume about three servings. However, it is still recommended that you consult a pediatrician to determine the amount of supplement suitable for your child.

The preparation and serving method of Pediasure vary based on the variant. For example, the Grow and Gain Shakes are ready-to-drink shakes that do not require preparation. On the other hand, the powder variant needs to be mixed with water. The company also suggests trying recipes that can include Pediasure as an ingredient.

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