What to Drink During Pregnancy and What to Avoid

Having a nutritious diet and healthy drinks during pregnancy is directly linked with good brain development and the healthy birth weight of the child. It can also reduce the risk of many defects related to birth.
When you are in your trimesters, you often don’t feel like eating anything. That’s when you can incorporate healthy drinks into your diet. Drinking enough fluids has always been important. But your intake of water must increase during pregnancy. Staying hydrated is crucial for the baby’s growth and development.

Both your body and your baby’s body are made up mostly of fluid. So you need more liquids to support your expanding blood volume, as well as to produce enough amniotic fluid and support healthy foetal circulation.
But you must know which drinks are healthy are which are not. Not all drinks are equally good when it comes to pregnancy. Some drinks are more nutritious than others.

Healthy drinks during pregnancy that you should consume:

1. Coconut Water:

Intake of coconut water drink during pregnancy is highly recommended pregnancy both for the health of the mother and the child. Researchers have shown that drinking coconut water during pregnancy helps to build up immunity, improves the function of the kidney, prevents urinary tract infections (UTI) as well as helps in lowering high blood pressure levels.

It also has low calories and contains some amount of dietary fibres, healthy omega fatty acids which are recommended for pregnant women and help them to keep their weight in check. It also helps in improving the process of digestion, strengthens the digestive system, prevents constipation, maintains and regulates the ph. levels of the body. Which in turn, improves the metabolism and detoxifies the body? As a natural acid neutralizer, coconut water also soothes and prevents heartburn during pregnancy.

2. Fruit Juice

It is obvious that the whole fruit works the best with all the nutritions, for a pregnant woman. But the fruit juices can be a great alternatively for the mothers who don’t want to eat the whole fruit. But always remember to go for fresh fruit juice and not packed ones! You can also get creative and add all your favourite fruits and make a glassful of health!

During pregnancy, Mommy channels the nutrients that are needed by the foetus. Whatever The mother consumes, it will affect the growth of the foetus in the womb. Fruit juice contains fats, oils, and high calories that are very useful for maintaining the stamina of pregnant women. The juices can also prevent high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, and reduce blood sugar levels for mommy who has diabetes disorders.

3. Lemonade

Lemonade consumption has several benefits for pregnant women. Lemon water helps to boost hydration and is an effective nausea remedy. Lemonade contains many essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that help support maternal health and the baby’s development. A key nutrient in lemons is folate, a crucial one for pregnancy.

According to researches, folate’s ability to reduce the risk of foetal neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. These serious defects affect the brain, spine, or spinal cord and can develop within the first month of pregnancy. Thus, consuming a little more lemon in the first several weeks of pregnancy may offer some added protection.

4. Milk

Milk is a rich source of calcium and protein and is therefore recommended as a part of the pregnant woman’s diet. Calcium during pregnancy plays a crucial role in helping to build strong bones in the growing baby. Milk is also a vital source of vitamin D for women during pregnancy. As per a study, having enough Vitamin D during pregnancy can lower the baby’s risk of developing allergies in future.

Apart from this, the pregnant woman also needs between 1000 and 1300 mg of calcium every day to nourish their body and the body of their developing baby. Drinking milk during pregnancy can help you meet some of your calcium requirements.

5. Buttermilk

Buttermilk, which is commonly known as ‘chach’, is also great for refreshing your mood as well as your gut. It also helps in restoring the important body fluids and salts and helps as a cure against constipation, which is very common during pregnancy.

Buttermilk is low on fats and majorly consist of water, milk protein, calcium and electrolytes, thus it becomes a healthy drink to have during pregnancy. When it is compared to artificially made sports drinks, traditional buttermilk is a healthier option. For a pregnant lady, buttermilk can help to quench her thirst as well as add some extra nutritional benefits.

Note:

Take a note to make H20 your default drink especially during pregnancy. It will help your body to absorb essential nutrients from food. It’s those nutrient-rich blood cells that reach the placenta and ultimately, your baby. Making water your go-to pregnancy drink will also help you avoid drinking excess calories and sugar, and you can maintain a healthy pregnancy weight. This strategy will also keep your blood sugar levels in check, which can help reduce your risk for gestational diabetes.

Drinks to avoid during pregnancy

1. Alcohol:

Alcohol consumption can lead to foetal alcohol syndrome. Even limited exposure to alcohol in the womb can lead to growth deficits as well as intellectual and behavioural problems in the unborn baby

2. Herbal Teas:

Not all herbal things are safe. The effects of various ingredients present in herbal teas on a pregnant woman are not known. That is why it is always advisable to avoid herbal tea.

3. Energy Drinks:

Although you need extra energy during pregnancy. But energy drinks are not a good choice. These drinks are full of caffeine, sugar, and other supplements. So stay away from energy drinks as much as possible.

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