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Prenatal Nutrition

Question

Should I worry about food additives? What about MSG?

Answer

There’s no evidence that any additives used in today’s processed foods are harmful to a developing baby. Government regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), enforce regulations that apply to the ingredients used in food.

Some people develop adverse reactions to certain additives whether they’re pregnant or not. These include sulfites, which produce symptoms in sulfite-sensitive people and are found in some dried fruits and wines.

Another common additive is monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor-enhancing compound that may trigger headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or sleep disturbances in some sensitive people.

However, there’s no evidence that either of these additives interferes with pregnancy.

MEET OUR EXPERTS

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Meet Our Experts

The START HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY™ Resource Center panel of experts offers practical advice, answering many questions typically asked by parents and expecting parents.

Lillian M. Beard, M.D. Pediatric Health

Lillian M. Beard, M.D., is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and an associate clinical professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is a frequent guest expert and spokesperson on national TV programs, discussing issues related to children's health. Dr. Beard practices pediatrics in the Washington, D.C., area.

José M. Saavedra, M.D., FAAP Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

José M. Saavedra, M.D., a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is a pediatric gastroenterologist with long-term experience and expertise in nutrition. Medical and Scientific Director of Nestlé Nutrition North America, Dr. Saavedra is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, the Sub-board of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and the American Board of Nutrition. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins-Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Roy M. Pitkin, M.D. Prenatal Health

Roy M. Pitkin, M.D. is professor of obstetrics and gynecology and is former chairperson of the ob/gyn department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor to national health agencies concerned with women's health issues and has received numerous international honors for this work.

Robert N. Hamburger, M.D. Food Intolerances

Robert N. Hamburger, M.D. is professor of pediatrics emeritus and former head of the pediatric immunology and allergy division at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) in La Jolla, California. Professor Hamburger is a consultant and continues as an educator and clinician in the UCSD Free Clinics in San Diego and Tijuana, Baja California.

Is there certain seafood I should avoid while I'm pregnant? Can I drink caffeinated beverages like coffee and cola? Now that I'm pregnant, should I cut down on salt?