Pregnancy is an exciting yet crucial phase in the life of a woman. During this stage, her body gets transformed drastically and what she eats directly impacts the well-being of the baby developing in her womb. So, from the moment your pregnancy test shows positive results to your delivery, you must maintain a healthy diet. And a nutrient-rich diet is incomplete unless you consume the right drinks. Scroll down if you are intrigued to know the names of the best drinks for pregnancy?
Healthy Pregnancy Beverages to Drink During Pregnancy
1. Water
For any expecting mom, water should be the go-to drink as it has no sugars or excess calories that are present in flavored beverages. It does more than keeping dehydration during pregnancy at bay.
One of the biggest challenges that most women face during pregnancy is keeping weight gain in check. A benefit of having water is that it will assist you in your weight loss journey. Additionally, it will decrease your chances of getting gestational diabetes and treat issues like morning sickness. Drinking more water will also prevent unwanted side effects of pregnancy like constipation, urinary tract infections, fatigue, etc. It will make your abdominal cramps bearable and keep your skin glowing and acne-free.
So, now that you have learned so many wonderful advantages of having water, how do you know you are drinking enough? According to doctors, a pregnant lady should be drinking 6-8 8-ounce glasses of water every day. Observing your pee is the simplest trick. As long as it is transparent instead of yellow, you don’t need to be anxious. Just take note that the water must be purified/ filtered.
2. Dairy Milk
Your body needs calcium and protein for proper development of your baby’s bones and teeth. Milk is an incredible source of calcium and is thus, one of the nutritional drinks for pregnant women. It also contains protein and will give you energy. As milk is low in fat, you also won’t put on weight.
If you do not like drinking milk, you can add ingredients like protein powder to enhance its taste. The only thing that you must ensure is that the milk you’re having is pasteurized. Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria such as Listeria and E. Coli. So, always check labels when you purchase milk at the supermarket.
You also should not have milk if you are lactose intolerant. In that case, your nutritionist will prescribe a calcium supplement to meet your body’s requirements for calcium. Nut milk, oat milk, and soy milk are some superb milk alternatives.
3. Smoothies
Pregnancy smoothies are a great breakfast for a working woman. You can prepare a nutritious smoothie in less than 5 minutes and it will keep you full for hours. They are also detectable and you can mix a range of healthy and tasty ingredients like berries, nuts, fruits, milk, oats, and so on. Blend thoroughly and have different kinds of smoothies to tantalize your taste buds.
4. Coconut Water
If you drink sports drinks now and then, you can consider having coconut water instead. Studies have proved that it curbs nausea during the first trimester. Another advantage is that coconut water is packed with sodium. It aids digestion and regulates bowel movements. Now you realize why it is one of the most satiating non-alcoholic drinks for expecting mothers.
5. Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is not actual tea as it does not have caffeine. The regular tea that you drink – be it green tea or black tea – is caffeinated and caffeine is not safe for you once you conceive. So, as a tea lover, your only option is to rely on herbal teas for pregnancy to get the comfort of sipping a hot drink.
The moment you substitute your caffeinated drinks with herbal tea, your caffeine intake will automatically go down. The best part about herbal teas is that they are not just devoid of caffeine but also offer health benefits. Ginger, peppermint, and lemon-infused herbal teas are the best to get relief from morning sickness which is a common pregnancy problem. To get an antioxidant boost, you can have raspberry teas occasionally.
6. Sparkling Water
Seltzers or sparkling water is a fantastic alternative to soft drinks as it neither has artificial sweeteners nor caffeine. It can be an awesome base for your mocktails and you will find plenty of yummy recipes that include sparkling water. Sparkling water also has essential minerals and electrolytes.
7. Fresh Fruit Juice
If you are craving some sweet refreshing drink when you are outdoors, drinking fresh fruit juice like orange juice instead of soft drinks will be wise. Fruits have natural sugar and therefore, you can relish a glass of juice daily. Drinking fresh juices is also a smart way of ensuring you are intaking vitamins in pregnancy drinks.
However, as fruit juice is high in calories, it cannot be your primary source of hydration. Moreover, it has less fiber than whole fruits. Therefore, to maximize the benefits, try to make it a habit to eat whole fruits after washing them thoroughly.
8. Vegetable Juices
Vegetable juices are even better than fruit juices as they will stop your sugar levels from rising. So, beetroot juice and carrot juice are among the safe juices during pregnancy. As they are naturally sweet, they will help you resist the fruit juices you feel like having. Beet juice is high recommended also because it can decrease blood pressure in a pregnant woman. And you are free to prepare your own juice with your favorite veggies. Just clean the vegetables before preparing the juice.
Drinks to Avoid for Pregnant Women
Since the purpose of this article is to spread awareness regarding natural hydration for pregnancy, we’ll also tell you what drinks can increase pregnancy-related complications and therefore, should be avoided.
Coffee is one such drink and according to the Food and Drug Administration, a pregnant woman must not have more than 200 milligrams of caffeine. If you feel too tempted to have coffee, decaffeinated coffee is a good option. You should also say no to:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Unpasteurized fruit juices
- Unpasteurized kombucha
- Unpasteurized milk
- Other caffeinated drinks
- Sugary sodas
- Drinks loaded with artificial sweeteners (example: diet soda)
Hydration Tips for Pregnant Women
Now that you know the names of the best drinks for pregnancy, you have to be conscious about drinking enough fluids to fulfill your body’s hydration needs. Here are some ways to get that done:
- Carry a big water bottle wherever you go as that will stop you from buying cold drinks.
- When you are eating out, you can have dishes like soup, chicken stew as they have a lot of water.
- Make it a point to drink some water every one hour.
The Bottom Line
With so many healthy pregnancy beverages like teas, water, milk, and smoothies, it should not be difficult for any pregnant woman to prioritize hydration. So, choose these nourishing and refreshing drinks not just to quench thirst but to ensure you and your growing baby get all the essential nutrients. You should also consult an accomplished healthcare provider to get a diet chart that includes what foods and drinks you should have based on your body weight, deficiencies (if any), and overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the best drinks for staying hydrated during pregnancy?
Water, milk, herbal teas, smoothies, freshly prepared fruit juice, vegetable juices, sparkling water, and coconut water are some of the best drinks for pregnancy recommended by nutritionists.
Q. Are herbal teas safe to consume during pregnancy?
While some herbal teas like peppermint, ginger, and chamomile teas are considered pregnancy safe drinks, other herbal teas like parsley tea can cause miscarriage. So, it is better to research well before consuming herbal teas.
