Amber Rose is currently expecting her second child and has been using her pregnancy to capitalize on brand deals and advertisement posts. But her most recent ad isn’t sitting well with her followers. Yesterday, the Instagram model made a post promoting a detox tea specifically targeted towards pregnant women.
In the caption, Rose claimed the Flat Tummy tea can help with regular pregnancy symptoms like nausea and bloating. “They’ve just launched an Organic Pregnancy Tea to help us moms with those bloated, nauseous, blah feeling days,” she wrote. Rose added, “It’s safe to take while pregnant and breastfeeding.”
Flat Tummy products have been criticized in general for being unhealthy and potentially unsafe, since they’re meant to act as a laxative. Many fans were alarmed that the celebrity was trying to pass it off as safe for expecting women. And her followers let her know in the comments.
“Another shameless ad for ‘magic tea’ perpetuating the need to have a flat tummy ... Now aimed at pregnant women!” one person wrote. “You're supposed to be a feminist. You have enough money. Seriously just stop.” Another angry follower added, “A laxative tea for pregnant women? Girl you do not need the money that bad. This is just wrong.”
Laxatives are typically not recommended during pregnancy, unless suggested by a doctor to help alleviate constipation, American Pregnancy explains. Even then, it’s only safe to take natural, gentle methods, such as milk of magnesia. And it’s important to always consult a health practitioner beforehand.
But this isn’t what Flat Tummy teas are designed for. As their name suggests, they aim to help the user attain a flat stomach by flushing contents out of the stomach. If taking this while pregnant, not only will it reduce the number of calories the expectant mama is ingesting, but it can undermine the nutrients she and her baby need. As such, it is imperative pregnant mothers consult their doctors before trying any weight loss supplements of detox teas, which will likely be heavily discouraged by their practitioner.
Rose isn’t the first celebrity to be criticized for promoting these Insta-famous teas (though she is the first one to do so while pregnant). Good Place actress Jameela Jamil has been very outspoken against the Kardashians promoting Flat Tummy products and making it seem like the brand is the key to their famous hourglass shapes.
“Tell them the side effects of this non-FDA-approved product, that most doctors are saying [isn’t] healthy,” Jamil wrote on one of Khloe Kardashian’s sponsored posts last March. She added that side-effects include, “Side effects like cramping, stomach pains, diarrhea and dehydration.”
If these are the side-effects regular women who aren’t pregnant can experience, imagine how unhealthy it can be for women who are expecting. Whether you’re interested in FlatTummy teas or another weight-loss product, it is highly recommended that you discuss your options with a doctor, especially if you’re pregnant or are planning on getting pregnant.