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Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is a crucial aspect of pregnancy. Including some nutritious foods and healthy drinks during pregnancy are essential for the growing baby and mother. Moreover, most women feel that having a fresh, healthy drink is easier than eating, specifically in the first trimester of pregnancy. So, you must be wondering which drinks could benefit you and your fetus. Read on as we list out some super-healthy drinks to add to your pregnancy diet and drinks to avoid during pregnancy.
Key Pointers
- Consuming nutritious food and adequate water intake is necessary for a healthy pregnancy.
- Water, milk, fruit and vegetable juices, and coconut water are excellent sources of hydration and electrolytes.
- Herbal teas, alcohol, and energy drinks should be avoided during pregnancy due to their high caffeine content.
The Healthy Drinks During Pregnancy
Not all drinks are equal when it comes to pregnancy. Some may offer more nutrition than others. Here are the healthy drinks for pregnancy you should consume for the best maternal and infant health:
1. Water:
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Let’s start with the most obvious choice. You need to drink water to stay healthy. This is true even when you are not pregnant. But during pregnancy, the need for water goes up. Water is essential for the health of your blood cells. You also need water to prevent dehydration and UTI during pregnancy, leading to premature labor in some women (1).
Be watchful2. Coconut Water:
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Here is another healthy way to prevent dehydration. Drinking coconut water in pregnancy can be a refreshing and nutritious way to stay hydrated. It is a natural isotonic beverage. It is also beneficial for replenishing natural salts in the body. So, next time you feel thirsty, reach for some fresh coconut water (2).
3. Lemonade:
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Who doesn’t love a cool glass of lemonade? It’s a great way to stay hydrated, and it also supplies you with vitamin C during pregnancy. If morning sickness is getting you down, lemonade will be a good option for you (3).
Lemon water is widely recognized for its ability to alleviate nausea in pregnant women. Kelsey Selene, a mother, shares that she got relief from pregnancy nausea after incorporating lemon water into her routine. She explains, “In the beginning, when I had the most nausea, I drank lemon water. I would take a big glass of water, take fresh lemons, and squeeze a whole lemon (if not at least half of a lemon) into a big glass of water. For whatever reason, the lemon water totally cut out my nausea. Whenever I was feeling queasy, I would just drink some of it, and it went away. It was like a miracle drink and was very helpful (i).”
4. Milk And Milk Based Drinks:
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Each day, drinking a glass of milk during pregnancy can help you have a healthy lifestyle and stay fit. This holds true not just during pregnancy but also all through your life. If milk is not your cup of tea, you can try other milk-based drinks like smoothies or milkshakes that include the goodness of fruits and milk. You can also try buttermilk. All these drinks are full of calcium, protein, and vitamin B12 – all vital during pregnancy and for the growth of your unborn baby (4).
5. Fruit Juices:
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We all know that fruits are good for our health. But are fruits juices equally good? Well, obviously whole fruits are a better option. But fresh fruit juices too are great for a healthy pregnancy. So, dust your juicer and start juicing! But go for fresh fruit juice and not packed ones! You can also get creative and add all your favorite fruits to make a glassful of health!
Quick tip6. Vegetable Juices:
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So, you don’t really like vegetables. You are not alone. But you need veggies for a balanced pregnancy diet. The best way to include veggies in your diet is vegetable juices! There are hundreds of vegetable juice recipes you can try. So, get started.
7. Ice Tea:
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If it is summer, nothing can beat a long glass of ice tea. And ice tea is also a great remedy to treat morning sickness. But this is one health drink during pregnancy on the list that does contain caffeine. So, do keep that in mind and limit its consumption.
Drinks To Avoid While Pregnant
Now that you know what are the healthy drinks during pregnancy, let’s take a look at beverages you should avoid:
1. Alcohol:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, 14.3% of women reported that they drank during pregnancy. However, even moderate alcohol consumption is not safe during pregnancy. Most women know that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome. But not many know that even limited exposure to alcohol in the womb can lead to growth deficits as well as intellectual and behavioral problems in the unborn baby (5).
2. Herbal Teas:
You thought all things herbal were safe? Not really! Our understanding of how the different components found in herbal tea affect maternal health and fetal development is limited. So, be safe and stay away from herbal teas during your pregnancy.
3. Energy Drinks:
You need extra energy during pregnancy. However, drinking energy drinks while pregnant is not recommended. These drinks are full of caffeine, sugar, and other supplements. Just stick to healthy food for all your energy needs instead!
4. Caffeinated Beverages:
Be cautious with caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and tea. While some caffeine is generally considered safe in moderation, it’s best to avoid it since it can be difficult to determine the exact quantity of caffeine in a beverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I drink Coke while pregnant?
Medical experts have recommended pregnant women skip diet drinks and other carbonated sweetened beverages(7). Hence, it is advised not to drink Coke during pregnancy.
2. Does Sprite help pregnancy nausea?
No, soft drinks like Sprite which contain soda, do not help with pregnancy nausea, as no medical studies have proven its maternal health benefits.
3. Is it safe to consume caffeine while pregnant?
Reducing caffeine intake is generally advised during pregnancy. Experts recommend limiting it to 150 mg or no more than 300 mg per day. The safest choice is to avoid caffeine entirely, but consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance (8).
4. Can I drink unpasteurized juice while pregnant?
Pregnant women must avoid unpasteurized juice due to potentially harmful bacteria such as E.Coli. Such bacteria can endanger the health of both the mother and the baby. It is advisable to opt for pasteurized juice to ensure safety during pregnancy (9).
5. What are the risks associated with drinking caffeine while pregnant?
Drinking caffeine while pregnant might increase the chance of miscarriage. A moderate amount of coffee and soda in the first trimester raises the risk. To be safe, limit caffeine to 300 milligrams daily during pregnancy. Further research is necessary to fully grasp caffeine’s effects on pregnancy (10).
6. Can pregnant women drink green tea?
Green tea is generally safe for pregnant women when consumed in moderate amounts (11). Expectant mothers need to consult their healthcare provider about their unique situation and any concerns they might have.
7. Can pregnant women drink hot chocolate?
Pregnant women should limit their intake of caffeinated and sugary drinks (12). Hot chocolate often contains cocoa with a small amount of natural caffeine. While moderate caffeine consumption is generally safe during pregnancy, it’s important to educate yourself about all the possible sources of caffeine so you do not exceed the recommended daily allowance.
8. Can pregnant women drink milkshakes?
Milkshakes made with pasteurized ingredients are usually safe for pregnant women. Still, it’s crucial to verify ingredient pasteurization. It may be a better choice to consume homemade milkshakes for safety.
9. What are the safe alternatives to caffeinated drinks during pregnancy?
Decaffeinated coffee and fruit-infused waters made at home can be refreshing alternatives to caffeinated beverages during pregnancy.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy is crucial for the well-being of both you and your baby. Consuming nutritious drinks during pregnancy is as important as eating a well-balanced diet. Having healthy beverages keeps you hydrated and supplies several nutrients that keep you and your baby healthy. So choose drinks that are refreshing and free from sugar and other unhealthy additives, such as preservatives. Coconut water, homemade lemonade, buttermilk, milk, and milk-based drinks, such as shakes and smoothies, are some healthy options you can pick. You can use these drinks to make delectable mocktails to help you fight all your pregnancy blues.
Infographic: Healthy Beverages To Consume During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of lots of ‘Nos’ and precautions, especially regarding food and drink consumption. So, if you are confused about what beverages are healthy to drink while pregnant, check out the infographic below. It enlists some healthy beverages that you can enjoy while pregnant.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Healthy Beverages You Should Drink During Pregnancy
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Enjoy a delightful and nutritious beverage designed specifically for pregnant women. Learn how to prepare a Dates & Nuts Milkshake to support healthy weight gain with this easy-to-follow guide.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. How to get rid of pregnancy nausea! Top 5 tips!https://youtu.be/8nqjxjQw7yk
References
- Preterm labor
https://ontariocountyny.gov/568/Preterm-Labor - O T Kunle-Alabi, et al; Coconut water alters maternal high fat diet induced changes in hormones and pup morphometry of Wistar rats.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26937526/ - Morning sickness.
https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/J_M/Morning-sickness - Anne Lise Brantsæter, et al; Does milk and dairy consumption during pregnancy influence fetal growth and infant birthweight? A systematic literature review.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23185146/ - Joseph L. Jacobso and Sandra W. Jacobson, Drinking Moderately and Pregnancy.
https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh23-1/25-30.pdf - How much water should I drink in pregnancy?
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/nutrition-in-pregnancy/how-much-water-should-i-drink-pregnancy - Why pregnant women should avoid artificially sweetened beverages.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/pregnant-women-avoid-artificially-sweetened-beverages-201605179714 - Caffeine While Pregnant.
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/caffeine-and-pregnancy/ - People at Risk: Pregnant Women.
https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/pregnant-women - Caffeine and Pregnancy
https://www.bu.edu/articles/2015/caffeine-and-pregnancy - Green Tea
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/green-tea - Nutrition for Moms-to-Be
https://www.nutritionletter.tufts.edu/general-nutrition/nutrition-for-moms-to-be/
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