11 Healthy and Refreshing Drinks for Pregnant Women

The journey of pregnancy is no less than a roller coaster ride. All through the nine months, the expecting mother is concerned about the diet that she should consume, in order to ensure a healthy baby. Having healthy drinks during pregnancy can help an expecting mom a lot. However, with so many health drinks marketed for supplementing the pregnant mother, they can be downright confusing. Rest assured, there are several natural drinks that give way more health benefits to the developing baby and the mother.

If you have embarked on the precious journey of motherhood, you are bound to pay more attention to your diet. With a number of health drinks available in the market, learn more about the top ten natural health drinks for pregnant women that can give the best nutrients to you and your baby.

Best Drinks for Pregnant Women

Consuming some healthy fluids, especially during the summer, serves as an instant source of energy. Although there are a lot of natural healthy drinks for pregnant women, these are the top 11 healthy drinks to drink while pregnant:

1. Tender Coconut

Tender coconut is by far the most nourishing, refreshing and natural drink that is available directly for consumption. With its excellent sweet and salty balance, it is a drink liked by everyone. The essential mineral salts that are present in tender coconuts, like sodium, potassium and manganese, serve as key regulators of growth and development (1). Besides this, tender coconut also has an abundance of vitamins B and C. Particularly during pregnancy, many women suffer from heartburn, acidity and constipation. Tender coconut is a panacea for all these problems.

2. Fresh Fruit Juices

Fruit juices that are prepared freshly carry all the goodness of the fruit and provide the required dietary fibre to the pregnant woman (2). During pregnancy, the expecting mother can consume the juice of all the seasonal fruits to get the best out of nature. All fruits provide a lot of vitamins and minerals that are essential for the growing baby.

3. Soup

Consumption of vegetables and fruits is a must during pregnancy. To maximize consumption, soups made from a combination of vegetables can be taken regularly. Soups carry the nutritional value of all the vegetables and also serve as good appetizers for women who suffer from an aversion to food during pregnancy. Soups made out of vegetables like broccoli, carrot, cabbage, onion, tomato, etc., provide protein and fibre and activate the taste buds.

4. Buttermilk

Buttermilk or churned curd, called lassi, is a great way of beating the heat. Many variations in taste can be brought about by adding salt, sugar or Indian spice masala and consumed during the day to restore the loss of fluids and salt, especially in summer. It soothes the digestive system and alleviates the common pregnancy discomfort of heartburn. They also contribute to adding good bacteria to the gut.

5. Milk

Milk is one of the primary sources of calcium during pregnancy. Regular consumption of milk and its by-products is a must to ensure that the baby receives enough calcium for its bone and teeth development (3). Many women develop a dislike for the taste and smell of milk during pregnancy. To circumvent this problem, some fruit flavours or health drinks can be added to make it interesting.

6. Smoothies

Fresh fruit or vegetable smoothies can be consumed as an alternative to breakfast during pregnancy. Many women who experience morning sickness have a tough time having breakfast. As a workaround to this problem, smoothies can be prepared with seasonal fruits and vegetables. It not only gives a feeling of fullness but also provides a healthy start to the morning.

7. Herb-infused Tea

Herbal teas are great de-stressing drinks that give a very calming and relaxing effect. Herbal teas are available in different combinations on the market, along with a variety of herbs like mint, ginger, lemongrass, chamomile, etc. The American Pregnancy Association suggests that red raspberry leaf tea, lemon balm tea, peppermint leaf tea, chamomile tea, ginger root tea, dandelion, etc., are good for pregnant women (4). Each has a unique effect on the body, and you can choose your favourite herb and have a sip during the day.

8. Lemon Water

Lemon water is an energizing drink that can be consumed as such or with a teaspoon of honey first thing in the morning. This citrus fruit is a powerhouse of vitamin C that helps in digestion. It helps relieve nausea, morning sickness, and bloating associated with pregnancy. It instantly energizes the body and can be consumed with sugar and a pinch of salt, which helps bring electrolyte balance in the body.

9. Fresh Vegetable Juice

Just like fruit juices, vegetables also can be blended together or separately to get juice. These concoctions can be diluted or sweetened with sweeteners and consumed. They make for a great source of fibre, vitamins, proteins and minerals. Vegetables like carrots, beetroot, cucumber, and spinach can be used to make vegetable juice, and these can compensate for a day of low vegetable intake.

10. Water

Last but not least is water. Consumption of a lot of water throughout the day has innumerable benefits for a pregnant woman (5). It not only prevents dehydration but also maintains hormonal balance, evens out mood swings and flushes out toxins regularly from the body. To make the consumption of water interesting, you can spice it with some lemon or fresh mint leaves or slices of cucumber.

11. Infused Alkaline Water

With pregnant women often complaining of heartburn and indigestion, infused alkaline water with herbs and fruits is a great remedy (6). Plus, it is healthy. You can put slices of lemon, cucumber, beetroot, carrot, mint, or berries for a 3-4 hours or overnight and drink it later. This water infused with healthy veggies and fruits is very healthy for pregnant women and helps with indigestion and heartburn.

Drinks to Avoid While Pregnant

Yes, similar to healthy drinks, there are some drinks that pregnant women should avoid to safeguard their health and sail through pregnancy smoothly. Drinks not allowed for pregnant women include:

• Pregnant women should strictly avoid alcohol, as it could jeopardise their and their baby’s health. Alcohol could increase the risk of miscarriage, fetal alcohol syndrome, and stillbirth. 
• High caffeine drinks like coffee, aerated drinks, sports drinks, soda, and energy drinks should be avoided by expecting women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests that pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams per day (7).
• Preserved fruit juices are also bad for health as they contain a good amount of preservatives that are not good for the unborn baby’s health.
• Pregnant moms should also stay away from unpasteurised milk and juice as they may contain harmful Listeria bacteria, which causes an infection called listeriosis, and other germs (8). Mothers could contract E.coli, Salmonella, or Listeriosis, which could put them at risk of premature rupture of the amniotic sac or other pregnancy complications.
• Fruit juices and smoothies containing unpasteurized juices from vendors or market stalls can be unhygienic and may be contaminated with several harmful bacteria (9).

If you are habituated to such drinks, gradually reduce their consumption and replace them with any of health, good drinks for pregnancy.

FAQs

1. How much water should I drink in a day while pregnant?

8 to 12 glasses of clean and purified water are enough to keep you hydrated; however, individual needs may vary (10).

2. Are packaged fruit juices safe to drink during pregnancy?

Packaged fruit juices contain plenty of added sugars, sodium, and preservatives that are not healthy for pregnant women and unborn babies. Freshly and hygienically squeezed juice at home is good to drink.

3. Are there any herbal drinks that should be avoided during pregnancy?

Holy basil (tulsi) tea, liquorice tea, parsley tea, and sage tea are some known concoctions that should be avoided during pregnancy (11).

4. Can I have a decaf during pregnancy?

Yes, you can have decaffeinated drinks like coffee and drinks during pregnancy, according to the NHS (12).

The food that you consume and the drinks that you drink directly or indirectly affect the growing foetus. To avoid any ill effects on the baby, it is very important for mothers to monitor their food consumption and remove all the harmful substances from their diet. Regular consumption of these top ten natural, healthy drinks not only satisfies the hunger pangs but also gives a good dose of essential nutrients to both the mother and the baby.

References/Resources:

1. What is coconut water and what’s behind the hype?; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/coconut-water/faq-20207812

2. How much water should I drink in pregnancy?; Tommy’s; https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/nutrition-in-pregnancy/how-much-water-should-i-drink-pregnancy

3. Health Tips for Pregnant Women; NIH; https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/healthy-eating-physical-activity-for-life/health-tips-for-pregnant-women

4. Herbal Tea & Pregnancy; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/herbal-tea/

5. Guide to food and drink during pregnancy; Pregnancy Birth & Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/guide-to-food-and-drink-during-pregnancy

6. Eat Healthy During Pregnancy: Quick Tips; OASH; https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/pregnancy/nutrition-and-physical-activity/eat-healthy-during-pregnancy-quick-tips

7. Moderate Caffeine Consumption During Pregnancy; ACOG; https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2010/08/moderate-caffeine-consumption-during-pregnancy?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=otn

8. How Listeria Spread: Soft Cheeses and Raw Milk; CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/causes/dairy.html

9. Fruits, Veggies and Juices (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be); FDA; https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/fruits-veggies-and-juices-food-safety-moms-be

10. How much water should I drink during pregnancy?; ACOG; https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/how-much-water-should-i-drink-during-pregnancy

11. Herbal teas during pregnancy and breastfeeding; Pregnancy Birth & Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/herbal-teas-during-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding

12. Caffeine in Pregnancy; NHS Greater Manchester; https://www.england.nhs.uk/north-west/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2021/05/GMEC-Caffeine-infographic-final-16.04.21.pdf

Also Read: 

Kombucha during Pregnancy
Drinking Soft Drinks in Pregnancy
Non Alcoholic Beer during Pregnancy
Can You Drink Wine while Pregnant?