As a pregnant woman, you might find yourself craving some drinks and food. You might have heard from doctors not to take certain food and drinks but you are left wondering what drinks you can take. Here are some drinks you take during pregnancy.
6 Drinks You Can Take During Pregnancy
1. Water
Water should be your go-to beverage during pregnancy. Any time you you crave drinks, drink water first and see if the craving will stop.
Add an extra glass to your usual water intake — that should be at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses per day — to keep not only yourself well-hydrated, but your baby, too.
What are the health benefits of drinking water while pregnant? Water helps your body absorb important nutrients that you’re getting from prenatal vitamins and that baby-friendly diet you’ve started.
You’ll feel better drinking more water, too, as it can help reduce, even prevent, unwelcome byproducts of pregnancy, like cramps, fatigue and urinary tract infections.
2. Milk
Dairy milk is a healthy option for pregnant women, particularly toward the end of a pregnancy when the baby’s bones are forming. It’s full of calcium and protein and can be lower in fat if you go for skim or low-fat milk.
Just make sure the milk you’re drinking is pasteurized. You shouldn’t have a problem with this at most chain grocery stores in the United States, but it isn’t a bad idea to check labels if you’re in a speciality market or visiting an organic dairy.
The pasteurization process kills off harmful bacteria like Listeria and E. Coli.
If you’re lactose intolerant, seek out non-dairy alternatives that are fortified with calcium for a similar benefit. Soy milk is usually a safe bet, with more protein than many of the others. Yes, part of being pregnant is getting really good at reading labels.
3. Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is not a true tea. True tea (green tea, black tea, oolong tea, etc.) contains caffeine, which is not safe for pregnant women, except in strict moderation.
Green tea lovers, you’ll need to cut back in favour of herbal options, especially if you’re used to getting more than the recommended amount of caffeine from multiple steamy cups of tea.
What can I drink instead of coffee when pregnant? You won’t need to abandon the comforts of an afternoon tea when pregnant, as long as it’s the herbal kind. As you’re cutting back on caffeine, look for caffeine-free options.
What drink is good for preventing morning sickness? Ginger, lemon balm, and peppermint teas have been known to lessen morning sickness symptoms, and raspberry teas can give you an antioxidant boost.
Just stick to what’s commercially available, as you may not be able to confirm ingredients in loose-leaf varieties.
4. Decaf Coffee
Lay off the caffeine. Decaf coffee may still satisfy your need for a cup of joe, though.
For a healthy pregnancy, doctors recommend no more than 200 milligrams of coffee per day, which is about one regular-strength cup of coffee.
Decaffeinated coffee is even better, as long as you’re not crossing over that threshold of recommended caffeine per day. Even decaf contains small amounts of caffeine.
In large amounts, the caffeine in coffee and other caffeinated beverages can cause a rapid heart in your baby as it passes through the placenta.
While it’ll still be metabolized, this process takes up to three times as long in an unborn baby. There’s just not enough information out there about what that means long-term to make guzzling pots of coffee worth it.
5. Vegetable Juice
Pasteurized vegetable juices are a low-sugar alternative to fruit juices. Juices made out of beets and carrots are naturally a little bit sweeter than other green veggies, so they’ll better mimic those fruit juice flavours you may be craving.
Beet juice also has the added benefit of lowering blood pressure in some pregnant women, but you should talk to your obstetrician about your diet plan if you’re at risk or already suffering from high blood pressure.
Making your own veggie juice is a great idea so you can control any additives in commercial brands. Just make sure any vegetables you’re using are properly washed, and that you’re drinking your juice right after it’s blended.
6. Fruit Juice
A little bit goes a long way when it comes to fruit juice, especially if you’re buying it at the store. It’s fine to have all-fruit juice in moderation during pregnancy, but it shouldn’t be your main hydration source due to its high sugar content.
What is the best juice to drink while pregnant? You can safely drink a variety of all-fruit juices while pregnant, but if you’re buying a bottle at the store, make sure it’s pasteurized by checking the label.
Pasteurized orange juice is a good option, especially if it includes added calcium on top of a vitamin C and potassium boost.
Blending your own fresh fruit juice is also a good option, as long as you’re thoroughly washing the fruits before tossing them into your blender. Drink any fresh juices within a day or two of making them.
