Energy-Boosting Coffee Alternatives During Pregnancy
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Craving a hot cup of coffee? Or perhaps you’re an iced coffee kind of gal. Either way, you love your daily cuppa joe and cannot fathom going without it for an entire nine months.
No worries – you don’t have to completely cut coffee out of your life simply because there’s a baby on board.
That said, it’s still important to be mindful about how much caffeine you’re consuming while pregnant. Which brings us to our first question: How much coffee can you drink while pregnant?
Don’t worry, we’ll answer that in just a sec. Then we’ll move on to my favorite energy-boosting coffee alternatives during pregnancy. (It’s nice to have options, after all.)
Caffeine During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?
Pregnant women should limit caffeine intake to 200 milligrams of caffeine daily. This is per the advice of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
So you can definitely enjoy your daily cup of coffee while pregnant! Or you can switch to decaf, half-caf, or one of the following pregnancy-safe coffee alternatives. As always, moderation is key when it comes to coffee or anything else, pregnant or not.
Pregnancy-Safe Coffee Alternatives
The below coffee alternatives are generally considered safe in moderation during pregnancy. But for the sake of full disclosure, it’s always important to do your own research and check with your doctor. And while some of the options are caffeine-free, a few contain caffeine – so keep that in mind if you’re trying to avoid it altogether.
Hot Chocolate
Wondering if you can have hot chocolate while pregnant? You absolutely can! Just keep in mind that hot chocolate has caffeine – although it’s less than coffee – and it generally contains quite a bit of sugar (especially if you top it with marshmallows!).
Brewed Cacao
Brewed cacao is another pregnancy-safe coffee alternative but, again, moderation is key. Cacao is a delicious treat that has a number of benefits.
For example, it contains flavonoids, which are known to positively impact hormones. It has lots of minerals that could support your baby’s development.
And it also supports the production of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for inducing labor… Which also means you don’t want to consume it in excess (to avoid premature labor).
Matcha Tea
Matcha – or powdered green tea – has really come into popularity lately. You can prepare it with various add-ins to suit your taste.
However, if you drink too much matcha during pregnancy, you risk blocking nutrient absorption. To keep the risk low, limit your intake to one cup a day. Also, you can ensure that you’re getting plenty of nutrients via food and supplements.
Dandelion Coffee
Dandelion coffee comes from the dandelion root. It looks and tastes like regular coffee, minus the caffeine. Plus, it can help support organ health, ease constipation, and improve lactation post-pregnancy.
It can have adverse effects, too, especially for those with certain medical conditions. So you should consult with your healthcare provider before taking dandelion root.
Black Tea
Not only does black tea (like English Breakfast tea) have less caffeine than coffee, it also contains L-theanine. This makes it a more calming coffee alternative. You can drink your tea black, if you like, or you can add milk and sweeteners to suit your taste.
Turmeric Latte
Turmeric boasts many health benefits, and is generally considered safe during pregnancy. But you should avoid consuming large amounts of turmeric while pregnant. Medicinal doses could cause complications like early labor.
Otherwise known as Golden Milk, a turmeric latte consists of turmeric, milk, a sweetener, and various other spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, and pepper.
Lemon Water
Drinking warm lemon water is a great way to start your day! If you drink it first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, it can help ease constipation – plus, it tastes great. Just fill a mug with warm (not hot) water and add juice from half a lemon and enjoy.
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea is a shrubby legume that has a sweet, fruity taste and provides many health benefits. Rooibos tea contains some protein, various minerals, and antioxidants. It isn’t known exactly how much is safe to drink during pregnancy, so it’s advisable to stick with 1-2 cups per day.
Chai Latte
Chai tea is a blend of black tea and spices like ginger, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. To make a chai latte, add in some milk and a sweetener, like honey or real maple syrup.
Herbal Infusion
An herbal infusion is nothing more than medicinal-strength tea. To this effect, you’ll want to be sure that the herbs you choose are pregnancy-safe.
To make an herbal infusion, add ¼ cup of your chosen herbs to a quart-size glass jar, then add hot (not boiling) water. Let it steep for 4-12 hours, then strain out the leaves and enjoy!
You can add a sweetener, like honey, if needed to make it more palatable. Add ice for a refreshing treat, or gently warm in a saucepan for a more comforting beverage.
Energy-Boosting Coffee Alternatives During Pregnancy
And there we have it! A whole list of safe coffee alternatives during pregnancy. Which will you try first?
I must say, I’ve never tried brewed cacao or dandelion coffee. But I’m SUPER curious about them, so they’re definitely on my to-try list.
I’ve really enjoyed drinking warm lemon water in the past, as well. And herbal infusions can be delicious (not to mention ultra-healthy!).
Whatever you decide, enjoy and congratulations on your pregnancy.
Read More:
17 Guilt-Free Starbucks Drinks for Pregnant Women
