Things to drink during pregnancy

Top 14 Drinks for Pregnant Women + What Drinks To Avoid – Surely Non-Alcoholic Wine

If you’re newly pregnant you may be finding that there’s a lot of info out there as far as what you can drink, what you shouldn’t, and what you might be able to drink in moderation.

Outside of beverages you may already know to avoid — alcohol, excess caffeine, and raw milk can all be harmful to your developing baby — it can be a challenge to know what healthy drinks are okay.

What is the most important thing to know about drinks while pregnant? Pregnant women need to know that whatever they’re choosing to put into their bodies isn’t just to keep them healthy, but their babies, too. 

So what drinks are safe during pregnancy? Water, milk, and herbal teas are all excellent drinks to keep you and your baby safe during pregnancy.

Part of your plan to stay hydrated can include drinks just for fun, too, as long as you’re staying away from those listed no-nos. That can mean non-alcoholic wine as an alternative to that after-dinner glass you may be missing.

Our rosé at Surely is made to taste like the real thing because it starts off just like the real thing. We’ve just removed the alcohol content for you.

It all starts with water, though.

Table of Contents

Water

Milk

Herbal Tea

Alcohol-Removed Wine

Flavored Water

Decaf Coffee

Sparkling Water 

Vegetable Juice

Kefir

Sports Drinks with Electrolytes

Fruit Juice

Broth

Smoothies

Coconut Water

6 Drinks That Pregnant Women Should Avoid

Table of Contents

Water

Milk

Herbal Tea

Alcohol-Removed Wine

Flavored Water

Decaf Coffee

Sparkling Water 

Vegetable Juice

Kefir

Sports Drinks with Electrolytes

Fruit Juice

Broth

Smoothies

Coconut Water

6 Drinks That Pregnant Women Should Avoid

1.

Water should be your go-to beverage during pregnancy. 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 specialty 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 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 favor 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 the 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. Alcohol-Removed Wine

Alcohol-removed wine is a non-alcoholic alternative for people avoiding alcohol for one reason or another.

You might have read all about whether there are safe levels of drinking while pregnant. However, no amount of alcohol has been proven safe, and there is no safe time to drink alcohol while pregnant. Even one glass of wine might be dangerous for the healthcare of your growing baby.

What are the risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant? Birth defects, premature birth, and any number of disorders on the fetal alcohol spectrum are all possible risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant.

That doesn’t mean you have to give up on all of the nice things. 

Non-alcoholic beer and alcohol-removed wines, like Surely’s non-alcoholic rosé and sparkling white, have come a long way in resembling the real thing. This way, you can have your sips knowing you’re making a safe choice. 

While there are trace amounts of alcohol in our delicious rosé, it’s well below the 0.5% threshold required by the Food and Drug Administration to be labeled non-alcoholic. To keep things in perspective, you’ll find the same amount of alcohol in kombucha and many fruit juices because of natural fermentation.

5. Flavored Water

Bored of water? Try flavored water!

Adding a little flavor to your h3O can go a long way toward increasing your water intake. Mint, berries, cucumber, watermelon and citrus can all make a glass of water even more refreshing.

Just make sure to thoroughly wash anything you’re dropping into your glass.

Fun fact on citrus: Sniffing lemons or sipping on some lemonade can ease your nausea symptoms, so throw a wedge or two into your water bottle before you head out if you’re not feeling so hot.

6. 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.

7. Sparkling Water 

Sparkling water or seltzers are fine in moderation when pregnant — and a great alternative to sugary soft drinks. You’ll just want to avoid bubbly drinks with added caffeine or artificial sweeteners, often found in diet soda.

Sparkling water can also be a great base for mocktails, which are elevated takes on those kiddie cocktails from your youth.

Consider DIY recipes that will give you a nutrition boost on top of the novelty of your non-alcoholic drinks, like antioxidant-rich berry garnishes or a little freshly-grated ginger to knock out any nausea.

8. 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 flavors 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.

9. Kefir

Kefir is a pasteurized, fermented milk drink rich in probiotics that can be beneficial during pregnancy in preventing preeclampsia and other complications.

The consistency is a bit thicker than the usual smoothie so you may find it hard to hit your daily hydration goals with kefir, but it’s a positive addition to any healthy diet.

10. Sports Drinks with Electrolytes

Sports drinks with electrolytes like Gatorade or Powerade are a good way to replace some key nutrients you may be missing, on top of keeping you hydrated.

They can also help with nausea from morning sickness or leg cramps, a common complaint of pregnant women after the first trimester.

Just make sure you’re enjoying sports drinks in moderation, as they’re often high on the added sugar.

Avoid energy drinks altogether since they pack more of a caffeine punch than that cup of coffee you’re allowed once a day. (And they usually contain even more sugar.)

11. 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.

12. Broth

It doesn’t get much more comforting than soup, and sometimes a hot bowl of broth is just what you need when you’re not feeling like yourself. If you want the added benefit of ginger for nausea symptoms, try a ginger tumeric bone broth.

It’s best to stick to low-sodium varieties of chicken broth or miso, and avoid heavy, cream-based soups. You aren’t getting much hydration from that bowl of chowder.

13. Smoothies

If you’re on a healthy eating plan already, yummy green smoothies might already kick off your day. It’s fine to keep that up during pregnancy, especially if you want to bump up your consumption of fruits and veggies.

As with your fruit juices, you’ll want to wash anything you’re blending thoroughly beforehand. Try to avoid adding sugar into the mix, as you’ll be getting enough natural sugar from the fruits you’re using.

If you’re going store-bought, just make sure you’re buying smoothies from pasteurized juices. 

14.

Coconut water is more similar to sports drinks than flavored waters, if you’re looking at the electrolytes per ounce. This is a good way to curb nausea if you prefer the taste of coconut water to Gatorade, as long as you’re sipping it in moderation.

Coconut water is higher in sodium than many of your other hydration options. Keep this in mind when arranging your overall diet.

6 Drinks That Pregnant Women Should Avoid

What drinks should be avoided during pregnancy? Here are 6 drink to avoid during pregnancy:

1. Alcohol
2. Unpasteurized milk
3. Unpasteurized juices
4. Caffeinated beverages
5. Sugary sodas
6. Drinks with artificial sweeteners, like diet soda

Outside of water, which should be your primary source for hydration throughout your pregnancy, you have options for what you choose to sip to boost your healthy beverage intake. If you want to get a little creative, you can enjoy a glass of alcohol-removed wine.

If you feel unsure about your options and want more feedback, always talk to your doctor first.

Sources

1. Impact of Fetal Alcohol Exposure on Body Systems: A Systematic Review
2. Pregnancy-induced Changes in the Pharmacokinetics of Caffeine and Its Metabolites
3. Timing of Probiotic Milk Consumption During Pregnancy and Effects on the Incidence of Preeclampsia and Preterm Delivery: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study in Norway

17 Healthy Pregnancy Drinks (besides water!)

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During pregnancy staying hydrated is a top priority. But drinking water all day can get really boring. This list will share some ideas for healthy pregnancy drinks besides water.

When you are pregnant, your fluid requirements go up. During pregnancy you should drink about 80 oz (or 10 cups) of liquid per day.

While the majority of this should be water, it can also include other beverages. The key is to make sure that what you do drink is actually good for you and your baby.

There are lots of lists out there of the best drinks during pregnancy with pretty generic recommendations.

As a health savvy Mama, we know you want the best for your baby and yourself. Whether you are searching for the best pregnancy recipes or products, you are doing the research to find the best recommendations. 

This list is for you. 

The pregnancy drinks below all contain nutrients you need to grow a healthy baby, clean ingredients and are low in sugar to help prevent blood sugar spikes.  

What to drink during pregnancy besides water?

You are not alone, if you wondering – what can I drink besides water while pregnant?

There are a variety of good things to drink while pregnant including herbal teas, smoothies, juices, milk and health beverages. There are also things like electrolytes, vitamins and, even protein that can be added to drinks to benefit both mom and baby.

Read on for some examples of non-boring ways to stay hydrated (and boost nutrients) during pregnancy!

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{Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. Read more here.} 

Healthy Drinks During Pregnancy

These are some of the best drinks for pregnancy! Watch the video below!

Want to know how to take you pregnancy nutrition to the next level? Check out this course. 

1 – Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks –

Also known as switchel, these drinks contain a mixture of water, lemon or lime, fresh ginger, apple cider vinegar and a little sweetener like honey, maple syrup or black strap molasses. Fruit can be added for an additional twist. This drink is refreshing and can help restore electrolytes making it a great option for what to drink in the first trimester to stay hydrated through morning sickness.   

It can also help with pregnancy indigestion, inflammation and balancing blood sugar. Read more about the benefits of drinking switchel here. 

This homemade drink is a great substitute for sugary sports drinks. 

 

 

 

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Are you suffering from #morningsickness? Or indigestion during #pregnancy? Or are you #postpartum and wanting to lose the baby weight?? This ?is the drink for you!! Made with apple cider vinegar it is super hydrating and good for you. Here’s how you make it: ✅ 2tbsp Apple cider vinegar ✅ a big chunk of fresh ginger root- chopped ✅1 tbsp honey ( optional) ✅ juice of 1 large lime (or 2 little ones) ✅ 1/2 cup of mixed berries ( I used frozen) – Add everything to a big mason jar and cover with warm water. – Mix to dissolve honey – Top off with water and refrigerate overnight ( or at least 4 hrs) Enjoy ? #pregnant #firsttrimester #pregnancydrinks #birtheatlove #healthymom #breastfeeding

A post shared by Lisa (@birtheatlove) on Feb 8, 2019 at 10:09am PST

2 – Chia Fresca – 

This drink is perfect for pregnant women as it’s a easy way to add extra nutrients and make drinking water more exciting. Chia seeds are high in fiber, antioxidants, and omega 3’s. They can help with pregnancy constipation and boost energy naturally. (source)

The formula for making chia fresca is pretty simple:

• Combine 4 cups of liquid + 1/4 cup of chia seeds 
• Stir and let sit 10 minutes for chia to absorb
• Drink and enjoy!
• The chia naturally sinks to the bottom, so stir as needed when drinking. 

The liquid for Chia Fresca can be any combination you choose! Try making it with water, lemon or lime juice, herbal tea, fruit juice or coconut water. The flavor combinations are really endless.

3 – Smoothies –

Smoothies are perhaps one of best things to drink while pregnant, especially in the first trimester when it can be hard to keep foods down. It’s an easy way to get a bunch of nutrients in without having to make (or eat) a full meal.

Check out this list of pregnancy smoothie recipes for some good options. 

Best Fruit for Pregnancy Smoothies:

Choose fruits with low sugar content like

• raspberries
• strawberries
• blackberries
• cherries
• peaches
• avocado
• kiwi

Also make sure to add protein and healthy fats to your smoothies so that it balances the sugar and reduces blood sugar spikes. Good options for protein include a handful of nuts like almonds or walnuts, nut butter, chia seeds, hemp seeds, cottage cheese, greek yogurt or tahini.

If you prefer a powder, try an plant based one like this protein powder just for pregnant Moms which contains 16 g of protein, as well as, your daily requirement of folate (the right kind too!). (Use the code BIRTHEATLOVE to get 10% off your order!) 

For healthy fats try adding avocado, flax seed oil, coconut oil or a handful of cashews. 

Smoothies with date fruit like this one can even help you prepare for labor. 

4 – Pregnancy Mocktails – 

Just because you give up drinking alcohol while pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t have a fun drink. Mocktails are great for pregnant moms after a long day or for celebrating a special occasion.

Just make sure that the ingredients you use to mix are clean and low in sugar. Check out this list of pregnancy mocktails all with healthy ingredients.

5 – Fresh Squeezed Green Juice – 

Drinking fresh green juice is an excellent way to boost nutrients during pregnancy. It is perhaps the best juice to drink when pregnant.

Green juice is alkalizing meaning it can help reduce acidity in your body. It can also aid in gut health, boosting your immune system and detoxification (source). It also promotes natural energy, something all Mamas can use more of!

Making your own green juice is ideal, but if your don’t have a juicer try finding a local vendor, or opt for a green powder like this one on Amazon that you simply mix with water and still get the benefits. 

6 – Coconut Water –

Coconut water is an amazingly thirst-quenching drink for pregnancy that is great for avoiding dehydration.

It is a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and antioxidants. Coconut water may also help with stabilizing blood sugar and lowering blood pressure. (source)

Plus it’s super yummy and refreshing. 

If the flavor of plain coconut water does not appeal to you, try a flavored variety or add to a smoothie to get the benefits. This coconut water comes in awesome flavors and is made with Moms in mind. Use the code BIRTHEATLOVE20 to get 20% OFF your first order!

7 – Fruit infused water – 

Adding fruit to your water is another good way to encourage yourself to drink water. You can add fresh or frozen berries, melon, citrus, apples, pears or tropical fruit to fresh water and then let it sit in the fridge for a few hours to infuse the flavors. 

Make it more fun by adding a variety of ingredients such as fresh herbs, spices (think cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger or cloves), edible flowers or even vegetables like cucumber or celery. 

A fruit infuser water bottle like this one makes it easier to make your own healthy fruit infused waters and take them on the go. 

8 – Herbal Tea –

Looking for something warm to drink while pregnant? Try herbal tea! There are many herbal teas that are safe to drink during pregnancy and contain beneficial nutrients for you and baby. 

What to have a faster labor? Learn about the benefits of drinking red raspberry leaf tea while pregnant.

Have indigestion, heart burn while pregnant? Read how drinking dandelion tea during pregnancy can benefit you.  

Read 5 Herbal Teas You Should Be Drinking During Pregnancy for more on the best teas to drink. 

9 – Iced Tea –

Making your own homemade iced tea is a good way to stay hydrated in the warmer months. Store bought iced teas usually contain high amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients so it’s a good idea to make your own. 

Try this homemade pregnancy iced tea featuring red raspberry leaf tea.

Related: Healthy iced teas that everyone will love

10 – Sparkling Water – 

Need more bubbles in your life? Sparkling water like La Croix, Perrier and San Pellegrino are great drinks for pregnant women. They contain no sugar or artificial ingredients like soft drinks and come in different flavors. 

A good option is this sparkling water made with real squeezed fruit, which is a little healthier than most.

11 – Hydration Booster

This is perhaps one of the best things to drink when pregnant. Digest + Destress Magnesium Powder can help you hydrate but also improve pregnancy constipation and irregularity, plus help you sleep better.

Magnesium is one of the essential nutrients needed during pregnancy that many Moms are deficient in. This powder contains a special chelated blend of magnesium that is optimal for absorption.

Mix Digest + Destress with water or juice for refreshing pregnancy drink. It’s also a healthy alternative to drinking Gatorade while pregnant.

This is a great drink for the first trimester, as it can help you stay hydrated while nauseous.

Throughout pregnancy, this drink can help relieve muscle aches, reduce bloating and constipation, fight fatigue and support healthy brain function (no more Mommy Brain). It is also safe to use for postpartum and while breastfeeding.

USE THE CODE BIRTHEATLOVE AT CHECKOUT TO GET 10% OFF YOUR PURCHASE OF THE HYDRATION BOOSTER.

12 – Non Dairy Milk –

Many Moms have trouble digesting cow’s milk. There are many alternatives to cow’s milk that offer a wide range of health benefits for Mom and baby. 

Almond milk is high in calcium, magnesium and iron making it a good choice for those choosing not to drink cow’s milk. Other good choices include coconut milk, rice milk, hemp milk and cashew milk. (source)

Just make sure to look for varieties that have basic ingredients and contain no added sugar. 

The cool thing is many of these non-dairy milks also come in shelf stable packaging making them ideal foods to stock up on during pregnancy for the postpartum period. 

13 – Kombucha – 

Looking to add more probiotics to your diet during pregnancy? Drinking kombucha is an easy way to add more beneficial bacteria to your diet. 

Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been around for thousands of years and can help boost your immune system and gut health (source). Kombucha is high in b vitamins which can help ease morning sickness symptoms for some Moms.  

The fizziness of Kombucha makes it a nice substitute for soft drinks. You can make your own Kombucha at home or buy it in several different flavors at your local grocery store or Whole Foods. 

(Updated- Many Moms ask if Kombucha is really safe for pregnancy? Kombucha is recommended by many midwivies, as well as, being mentioned as a good drink option in the book “Real Food for Pregnancy”. Also read this article by Mama Natural for more information. )

As always, please do your own research before making decisions regarding your pregnancy.

14 – Pregnancy Safe Starbucks Drinks –

Worried you have to give up Starbucks during pregnancy? While coffee isn’t necessarily off limits during pregnancy as long as you stick to under 200 mg of caffeine a day, avoiding caffeine can be healthier for you and your baby.

Many moms wonder if the Strawberry Acai Refresher aka “Pink Drink” is a good drink for pregnant women trying to avoid caffeine, but still wanting to hit up Starbucks.  

It contain coconut milk, an acai mix and is topped with freeze dried strawberries – all pretty good right.

But be careful, it does have a 24 g of sugar, so if you do choose to go for it, eat some protein along with it to avoid a blood sugar spike. 

Read more about healthy pregnancy diet mistakes (that you can fix).

Healthy Starbucks drinks for pregnant women include:

These drinks offer a combo of low caffeine and low sugar.

• Unsweetened Iced Green Tea Lemonade
• Unsweetened Passion Tango Tea with Coconut Milk,
• Iced Black Tea Lemonade
• Starbucks Refreshers
• Apple cider
• Mint Majesty tea – great for morning sickness

Read more morning sickness tips here.

15 – Pregnancy Protein Shakes –  

Adding additional protein to your diet during pregnancy is essential for growing a healthy baby. In Real Food for Pregnancy (read full review here), Lily Nichols recommends a daily protein intake of 80 g in the 1st half of pregnancy and 100 g in the 2nd half.  

Can you drink protein shakes while pregnant?

Drinking protein shakes is a good way to get more protein without having to eat a ton more food. During pregnancy use protein shakes as additional nourishment, rather than a meal replacement.

Protein shakes can come ready made or in powder form that you mix with water, milk or smoothie ingredients. Most protein powders contain around 20 g of protein.

When purchasing, read the labels and watch out for powders that contain artificial sweeteners, ingredients and fillers.

Good options include either a 100% whey protein powder or a plant based protein powder made just for pregnant moms to help meet you daily protein requirements. 

16 – Kefir –

Kefir is a fermented drink that can be made with any source of milk including coconut, goat, cow and rice. It can even be made with water.

Can I drink kefir while pregnant?

Because kefir contains as many as 30 different types of good bacteria that can help boost your immune system, gut health and help with better absorption of key nutrients, it’s a good drink choice while pregnant. (source)

Kefir is also a good source of folate, biotin (b vitamins), and vitamin k2, essential nutrients needed for growing a healthy baby that are common nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy.

The best way to get kefir is to make your own. It is one of the simplest ferments to make as you simply combine a pack of starter grains with milk (or water) and wait 24 hrs.

Homemade kefir will be higher in probiotic content than store bought varieties. However there are many brands and flavors of kefir available in grocery stores. Just make sure to choose a variety that is low in sugar and has basic ingredients. 

17 – Bone Broth –

Yes! Drinking bone broth is an excellent way to get extra nutrients and fluids during pregnancy. It can be particularly helpful to drink in the first trimester to help with dehydration, easing nausea and boosting nutrition. 

Bone broth is rich in minerals, vitamins, gelatin, collagen and the amino acid glycine. Glycine is important for the synthesis of fetal DNA, and your baby’s bone, organ and skin development. It may also help with preventing stretch marks during pregnancy. (Source – Real Food for Pregnancy pg 37)

You can make you own bone broth with leftover chicken or beef bones. See the slow cooker recipe below. Or if you prefer, buy a quality bone broth like this one. Make sure to use the promo code DEAL15 to get 15% off Bone Broths!

To drink – simply heat a mug full of broth and add a dash of sea salt. 

Drinks to Avoid During Pregnancy

There are a few types of drinks that you should consider avoiding during pregnancy. For more information on drinks to avoid, you should consult you care provider. 

• Alcohol – While in some cultures it is still considered acceptable to have a glass of wine during pregnancy, it is generally accepted that heavy drinking can be harmful to your developing baby. 
• Soft Drinks – Drinks like Sprite, Coke and Fanta are best to avoid during pregnancy mostly because of the high sugar content derived from high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.  
• Energy Drinks – Many energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and ginseng which can pose risks for your developing baby.
• Sports Drinks – While marketed as ideal for re-hydration, drinks like Gatorade and Powerade are full of sugar and artificial ingredients. 

With so many healthy options listed here it should be easy to find a drink that you can enjoy and that is good for you and baby! 

More on Healthy Pregnancy from Birth Eat Love

Our goal here is to make having a healthy pregnancy easier for busy Moms. We strive to provide you with useful and practical information that is research based. Healthy eating is one of our passions. Here are some more articles you may find helpful:

• Trying to figure out what to eat for dinner? This list of healthy pregnancy dinner recipes all contain pregnancy superfoods and are pretty easy to make. 
• Finding snacks that are actually good for you can be a challenge during pregnancy. This post has over 50 healthy snack ideas that are low sugar, high protein and nutrient dense. 
• Easy pregnancy breakfast ideas
• Check out this page for all our best healthy pregnancy resources.
• Learn more about the best protein powders for pregnancy here.

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What you can and cannot drink during pregnancy

If you are lucky and you are in a family of fans of a healthy lifestyle, then most likely you will be offered green or fruit tea, and if coffee, then necessarily natural, less often they offer juices from packages .

What should a pregnant woman choose from this list? To the disappointment of many women, during this period some of the usual drinks are not recommended for them, and a number of drinks should be significantly limited.

Drinks to limit

Coffee - contains caffeine. Moreover, in a cup of instant coffee it is even more than in a cup of natural. Plus, instant coffee contains chemicals that make it soluble. Regular consumption of more than 5-6 cups of coffee per day is the same drug addiction as with cigarettes. The use of any drug during pregnancy, even as innocent as coffee, will inevitably lead to the same addiction in the child later.

This is why coffee consumption during pregnancy should be reduced and kept to a minimum. However, in small quantities (1 coffee cup of natural coffee per day), you can drink it. Not regularly, but in those cases when you really want it, or when a cup of natural coffee replaces the medicine for low blood pressure.

Tea - also contains caffeine, and in a cup of strong brewed tea, it contains no less than in a cup of coffee. Therefore, a pregnant woman needs to drink it very diluted, which usually affects the taste of the drink. Many prefer not to drink tea at all than to drink it in this form.

Some mistakenly believe that replacing black tea with green tea will result in less caffeine. This opinion is wrong. A cup of green tea contains just as much caffeine as black tea, so the same restrictions apply. On the other hand, green tea is rich in microelements and bioactive substances, so if a pregnant woman drinks tea, then green is better than black, but do not forget about its strength.

Fruit tea, which has become fashionable in recent times, can be divided into ordinary tea with fruit additives, and pure fruit or herbal tea. Of course, such tea is healthier than ordinary tea if it is brewed directly from dried leaves and fruits, and not from bags. However, we should not forget that tea with fruit and herbal additives remains the same tea, and we again have to remember about its strength.

Cocoa is a fairly strong allergen, cocoa allergy is much more common than coffee or citrus fruits. In addition, cocoa (like coffee) helps to flush out calcium from the body.

Carbonated water - promotes excessive gas formation, flatulence. Sugary carbonated drinks, such as Coca-Cola, contain a lot of synthetic chemicals, the use of which is not recommended for everyone, especially pregnant women. In addition, cola and other drinks interfere with the absorption of calcium. Mineral water without gas is rich in mineral salts and can be a serious burden on the kidneys of a pregnant woman, especially if she periodically finds salts in her urine or has a tendency to edema.

Juices - of course, much more useful. However, it is more correct to drink freshly squeezed juices, and not from packages. The latter do not always contain safe and harmless substances: companies often add vitamins, flavor enhancers, preservatives, etc. to their juices. In addition, many of them contain a large amount of sugar. If you already choose among juices in packages, you should give preference to those that are intended for baby food.

What can you drink?

What can a pregnant woman drink to quench her thirst? During pregnancy it is better to learn how to quench your thirst with pure water . Spring water (tested by experts), bottled water, and just filtered boiled water will do.

This is of particular relevance in the second half of pregnancy, when the activation of water-salt metabolism and an increase in the total volume of circulating fluid can lead to increased thirst. During pregnancy, you should drink as much as you need, unless fluid intake is limited by your doctor. If a pregnant woman gets used to constantly carrying water with her and drinking it in small sips at first desire, thirst attacks manifest themselves much less frequently.

Pure water should be the main and main drink for a pregnant woman and make up at least 2/3 of all fluid entering the body.

What to drink besides water:

• First, natural juices and fruit drinks . Freshly squeezed juice should be preferred over packaged juice. In winter, it is better to use a fruit drink made from homemade preparations. Fruit drinks can be prepared from jam, jam, compote, dry and frozen fruits. These drinks are rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Second, herbal teas . However, it is better not to use ready-made bags, but to prepare tea directly from dry herbs, leaves, flowers, dried fruits, brewing them like tea, at the rate of 1 teaspoon per cup of boiling water. Any herb that does not have a strong smell and unpleasant taste, and does not act on the endocrine system, is suitable for brewing. It is also good to use raw materials from those plants that grow in the same area where the pregnant woman herself lives. In central Russia, such teas are most often brewed from the leaves of raspberries, strawberries, currants, cherries, blueberries, lingonberries, mint herbs, lemon balm, Ivan tea, linden flowers, calendula, violets, rose hips, hawthorn, mountain ash, viburnum, etc. d.

It is especially important during pregnancy not to mix herbs together so that you can only drink the teas you really like without masking the unpleasant taste. The sensitive body of a pregnant woman will immediately tell you which plant you don’t want to drink now and what you should give up for a while. If there are no unpleasant sensations, then it is advisable to drink such tea for 2-3 days, then take a break for 1-2 days, and then brew some other plant.

Large selection

By alternating teas in this way, we will get a fairly large set of drinks that will be repeated no more than once a month. This simple recipe from the piggy bank of folk experience will help pregnant women deal with a lack of vitamins and minerals. If the main part of a pregnant woman's drink is pure water, juices, fruit drinks and herbal teas, then sometimes she will be able to treat herself to a cup of coffee and other not very healthy, but more beloved drink. In this case, temporary restrictions in the choice of drink will not be so difficult for her.

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