Sweeteners used by women with gestational diabetes in Joinville/SC

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is related to maternal-fetal health problems. Sweeteners are not necessary for the treatment of diabetes but could help in the adaptation to a new dietary pattern. Objective: Identifying the sweeteners used by women with gestational diabetes in Joinville, SC. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study was done with pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes in public and private healthcare in the city of Joinville, SC. A questionnaire was applied containing social-demographic, clinical and anthropometric data and about their sweetener choice. Results: The sample was composed by 31 pregnant women with GDM, out of those 54.84% reported using sweeteners, the most cited were stevia followed by sucralose. Approximately 52% use sweeteners two or more times a day, most of them couldn’t report the quantity used and 67.74% denied the use of dietary products. Conclusions: Among the pregnant women with GDM that used sweeteners, the most cited are allowed by ANVISA, however, it was noted the difficulties in measuring the intake quantity of those, which may indicate lack of professional orientation and knowledge about safe quantities on the pregnant women’s behalf.