This post is all about drinks to avoid during pregnancy.
21 Drinks To Avoid During Pregnancy
+ Caffeine Infographic
There is so much that pregnant women have to pay attention to and so much they should give up while pregnant. I know. But you do want what’s best for your little one, right? Obviously, since you’re reading this post. Keep your head up mama, this too shall pass and it’s all worth it. To help you out and spare you from having to check online every time you want to have a drink if it’s safe for the baby, here is a list of 21 drinks to avoid during pregnancy. I’ve also created an infographic of the caffeine content in some of the most popular beverages.
In the list below you’ll find no-brainers like alcohol and coffee, but we’ll also go into detail about what teas are not recommended and how much caffeine is acceptable. To make your life easier, I’ve also created a caffeine infographic that will show you the caffeine content of some of the most popular drinks. Ones, that you might crave while pregnant.
21 Drinks To Avoid Or At Least Limit During Pregnancy:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coffee
- Unpasteurized Juices
- Unpasteurized Milk
- Juice Made From Wheatgrass
- Iced Tea
- Green Tea
- Chamomile Tea
- Lychee Tea
- Black Tea
- Barberry Tea
- Anise Tea
- Hibiscus Tea
- Aloe Vera Tea/Drink
- Ginseng Tea
- Lemongrass Tea
- Kava Tea
- Dong Quai Tea
- Raspberry Leaf Tea
- Energy Drinks
- Diet Soda
I know it sucks that there’s so much that you have to do without while pregnant, so I’ve also created a list of drink ideas that are safe to consume while pregnant.
21 Drinks To Avoid During Pregnancy
1. Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol is a big no-no while pregnant. Seems like a no-brainer, yet we oftentimes hear that this or that little amount is safe. Let’s face it. The safest amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is zero.
Drinking alcoholic beverages at any time during pregnancy can be harmful to the baby, but it’s said to be the most dangerous during the first three months.
Alcohol can cause or at least increase the risk of miscarriage. Moreover, it can contribute to premature birth as well as a low birth weight of the baby.
Come on mama, it’s only a few more months, you can do it. In the meantime, enjoy a mocktail!
2. Coffee
Probably talked about or rather longed after by pregnant women the most, coffee.
Again, the safest way to go about it is to cut out caffeine completely. If not possible, it’s advised to reduce your caffeine intake to 200 mg per day. Keep in mind that other drinks like soda or tea can contain caffeine as well. Check the infographic below to see the exact caffeine amount in some of the most popular drinks.
The two best coffee alternatives are decaf coffee (you just need to find the right one…) as well as barley coffee, which is also known as orzo coffee.
3. Unpasteurized Juices
The fruits and vegetables used to make the juice may contain bacteria that can be very harmful, especially during pregnancy. Cold pressed, unpasteurized juices are definitely a no-go for pregnant women if not made at home because you don’t know if the fruits and veggies have been washed properly, how they were stored, if the juice has been stored, how, and for how long.
4. Unpasteurized Milk
Raw milk should also be totally avoided by pregnant women. It may contain bacteria such as Listeria, E. coli, or Salmonella, which are very harmful to the unborn baby.
5. Juice Made From Wheatgrass
It’s advised that pregnant women avoid drinking juices made from wheatgrass as there isn’t enough research on its safety. Moreover, there’s a risk that the wheatgrass juice may contain harmful bacteria and even mold.
6. Iced Tea
This post is about drinks that are best to be avoided during pregnancy, not only drinks that you absolutely cannot have. So, in some cases, you can drink ice tea in moderation while pregnant. Obviously, it depends on what’s in it. The main concerns are caffeine and sugar as well as the type of tea base used. So you better double-check the ingredients list and avoid ice teas that contain inter alia hibiscus, lemongrass, or licorice root.
7. Green Tea
Green tea is generally considered safe during pregnancy as long as you limit the amount you’re drinking. The reason why it’s better avoided altogether while pregnant is because not only does it contain some caffeine but its consumption has been linked to lower folate levels.
8. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea should be avoided during pregnancy as it can stimulate the uterus and cause contractions. This can lead to miscarriage or preterm birth.
9. Lychee Tea
Lychee may cause various complications during pregnancy. It’s believed that it may inter alia raise blood sugar levels, increase the heat in the body, and lead to a hemorrhage.
10. Black Tea
Similar to green tea, you can have some black tea while pregnant. It usually contains 10-50mg of caffeine per 250ml but could contain as much as 90mg.
11. Barberry Tea
Barberry tea can have very negative effects on the development of the fetus. It’s also believed to cause contractions, which can lead to miscarriage.
12. Anise Tea
Anise tea is best to be avoided during pregnancy as it can potentially lead to premature labor.
13. Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus is said to impact hormone levels and cause blood flow to the uterus and therefore should be avoided during pregnancy.
14. Aloe Vera Tea/Drink
Like many of the other teas mentioned before, aloe vera teas or drinks may cause uterine contractions. Anthraquinone often found in aloe vera drinks is unsafe during pregnancy.
15. Ginseng Tea
Ginseng may be harmful during pregnancy and negatively affect the development of your baby. It can also have a negative impact on the mother’s sleep and mood.
16. Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass tea should be avoided during pregnancy as it can be harmful to the healthy development of the baby. It may lead to miscarriage and it can affect the mother’s blood sugar levels.
17. Kava Tea
Kava may have a negative impact on the development of your baby.
The research on the safety of kava during pregnancy is limited like it’s the case with many other drinks mentioned above. But of course, it’s best to stay on the safe side and avoid those drinks during pregnancy that may have a negative effect on your or your baby’s health.
18. Dong Quai Tea
Dong Quai is UNSAFE during pregnancy. It can inter alia affect estrogen levels, stimulate the uterus and cause miscarriage.
19. Raspberry Leaf Tea (During The First Trimester)
Raspberry leaf tea might be used in the weeks leading to your due date if your healthcare provider gives you an ok. However, it should be avoided earlier in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester as it can stimulate the uterine muscles and lead to miscarriage.
20. Energy Drinks
I feel like this should be a no-brainer like alcohol is. Obviously, energy drinks are anything else but healthy. They contain very high levels of caffeine, taurine, and various ingredients that can be harmful to your baby.
Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine per 250ml.
21. Diet Soda
Sodas are best to be avoided during pregnancy as they may contain caffeine and usually lots of sugar or are artificial sweeteners.
