Natural coffee during pregnancy. Calcium excretion problem
Pregnancy is a time when the world turns upside down. For the health of the unborn baby, you have to change your lifestyle, give up habits that can even cause indirect harm. This also applies to coffee addiction. How to give up your favorite drink in an instant, with which your day begins and ends? And is it really necessary to do this? Let's try to figure it out.
It's all about the caffeine
The main reason why coffee can be dangerous for a pregnant mother and her baby is caffeine. Caffeine is dangerous for the unborn baby because it can penetrate the placenta. It easily passes the barrier and is able to increase the fetal heart rate. Excessive amounts of caffeine (more than 4 cups per day), which has been officially proven by research, increases the risks of:
– miscarriage;
– premature birth;
– critical underweight in a newborn baby, etc.
Interesting fact! Coffee, taken by a woman in the amount of 10+ cups per day, can play the role of a “contraceptive” agent and prevent conception.
The aromatic drink is extremely rich in caffeine, and the amount of this substance varies depending on the type of beans and the method of preparing the invigorating cup.
Average amount of caffeine contained in coffee (170 ml volume):
- soluble – 70 mg;
- boiled – 80 mg;
- Arabica – 60 mg;
- Robusto – 200 mg;
- Espresso (volume 30 ml) – 40 mg;
- American decaffeinated – 6 mg;
- Decaffeinated (according to European standards) – 10 mg.
According to medical standards, a healthy person can take up to 300 mg of caffeine per day. For expectant mothers, the permissible daily intake of caffeine is not indicated - experts assure that pregnant women are not recommended to drink coffee, and the ban applies for the entire period of bearing a child.
Coffee and pregnancy: when is it better not to risk it?
It would seem that if coffee is such a harmful drink, then why can ordinary people drink it for years without any complications? In fact, if a person does not have problems with the cardiovascular system, then a couple of cups of drink a day will even have a positive effect. But whether it’s a child developing in the womb - for him it is a stimulant that negatively affects the newly developing nervous system.
In the first trimester - up to the 14th week (embryonic period) the rudiments of future organs are formed in the embryo. Coffee drunk by the expectant mother in the early stages can sharply increase blood pressure, penetrate the placenta and literally force the fetus’s body to “work” in an enhanced mode. Such loads on the growing fetus can lead to growth failures; on ultrasound, the fetus will not correspond to the week of development. There is a high risk of spontaneous abortion.
In the second trimester - up to 26 weeks (fetal period) coffee can provoke toxicosis, even if you avoided it in the first 12 weeks. Now not only the fetus, but also the mother herself will feel uncomfortable from a large amount of caffeine.
In the third trimester, the diuretic effect of the drink is of concern. Coffee removes fluid from the body and this is bad - frequent urination is unpleasant in itself, lost fluid needs to be replenished; but at the same time, in the later stages, edema is common, in which the doctor limits daily water consumption. Coffee during pregnancy is undesirable at any stage, but in the third trimester it is downright dangerous.
To drink or not to drink - the benefits and harms of coffee for expectant mothers
A separate article can be written about the benefits of coffee as a drink. But drinking coffee by an expectant mother, based on numerous studies, is not recommended. And that's why.
– Coffee is a drink that quickly removes water from the body. Frequent use leads to the leaching of useful substances necessary for mother and child along with water.
– Penetrating through the placenta, caffeine accumulates in the fetus’s body, which can lead to negative consequences – for example, hypoxia.
Caffeine provokes a decrease in blood flow to the placenta, which leads to anemia and more serious complications, including hospitalization.
How to break the habit of drinking coffee during pregnancy?
The conclusion is that coffee is harmful for expectant mothers. Strong or soft, 3 in 1 coffee, any of them contains caffeine. Of course, it won’t be easy for pregnant women to immediately give up coffee if they really want to. To begin with, you can leave coffee only in the morning, and the rest of the time drink other liquids (water, juice, fermented milk drinks).
Here are some tips to minimize the risk of drinking coffee during pregnancy:
- Drink coffee with cream or milk. The caffeine content in a drink diluted with milk components will decrease by 10-15%.
- If you have low blood pressure, you can sometimes afford up to 2 freshly brewed cups of coffee per day. If the pressure, on the contrary, is high, you should say goodbye to the drink.
- If you want coffee so much that you can’t stand it, opt for a drink made from natural raw materials. Instant coffee, in fact, is “garbage” from coffee production and does not have an ounce of benefit for you and your unborn baby.
For a woman, pregnancy is a very great joy and a very big responsibility. Now she needs to take care not only of her own health, but also of the health of her unborn child. During this period, it is extremely important to adhere to a nutritious diet, completely eliminating or minimizing the amount of foods and drinks harmful to the development of the fetus. This is especially true in the first trimester, when the baby is just beginning to form.
But what about coffee? It cannot be called a harmful drink, and besides, many women (especially hypotensive women) physically cannot do without coffee. For them, refusing a daily cup is fraught with headaches, decreased tone, drowsiness and depression. And the point is not at all in the formed dependence, but in the individual characteristics of the body.
Coffee in the first trimester – what do doctors think?
If earlier doctors categorically forbade coffee for pregnant women, then in the light of recent research, most experts have come to a consensus: Coffee in small quantities is more beneficial. But abuse of this drink is EXTREMELY dangerous, especially in the early stages of pregnancy.
Caffeine dilates blood vessels, which improves blood circulation. There seems to be nothing wrong, but a sudden rush of blood to the uterus can provoke a miscarriage. For women suffering from hypertension, coffee in the early stages is especially dangerous - its excess in the body increases the risk of miscarriage by 70%.
Excessive coffee consumption causes water-salt imbalance. This leads to vasoconstriction and impairs the penetration of nutrients and oxygen through the placenta. As a result, the embryo receives insufficient nutrition and begins to develop worse, and the lack of oxygen is fraught with hypoxia and fetal death.
Excess caffeine negatively affects the development of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It also increases the risk of the unborn child developing diabetes. Coffee has the most negative effect on the formation of the skeleton and teeth.
What amount of drink is considered excessive? European scientists have proven that 3-4 cups a day are already potentially dangerous. Therefore, women whose daily coffee intake is 5-6 cups should understand that they are already at risk and reduce their consumption.
The first weeks of pregnancy - when can you drink coffee?
If you are comfortable with the lack of coffee, in the first trimester it is best to completely give up this drink. When this is an impossible task for you, limit yourself to 1-2 small(!) cups of NATURAL coffee per day. They won't do any harm. Ideally, coffee should be weak, with homemade milk or cream. This drink is definitely safe and even healthy.
Coffee makes it easier to cope with depression, which affects almost all pregnant women. It alleviates conditions associated with numerous hormonal changes in the body. Natural coffee improves well-being, mood and increases performance.
The best option
In some cases, coffee can cause great harm to the fetus, even if it is absolutely safe for the health of the expectant mother. Therefore, if your doctor insists on giving up coffee, it is better to listen to his advice.
Have you found yourself in exactly this situation? Don’t worry, because there are safe analogues of coffee that will help you cope less painfully with the absence of your favorite drink.
1. Chicory coffee. It is also fragrant, invigorating and tasty.
2. Barley coffee. This unique drink is a good tonic and has a pleasant taste. Be sure to consult your doctor - he also has contraindications.
3. Cocoa. This is an ideal option, although moderation is also necessary.
These drinks will not cause any harm to the fetus and will help the woman bear a strong and healthy baby.
Many women simply cannot imagine their life without coffee doping. For coffee lovers, a morning without coffee is “not good,” and a day without an aromatic cup of Espresso will be a waste. But with the appearance of a baby in the tummy, mothers begin to think about the effect of this alluring drink on the baby.
Is it harmful to drink coffee during pregnancy?
Coffee beans contain many chemical components, the main one being caffeine. With prolonged consumption of coffee in large quantities, a person develops an addiction similar to alcohol. Therefore, if a woman drank coffee before pregnancy, then when the coveted two lines appear on the test, she should not suddenly stop drinking her favorite drink. This must be done gradually, reducing the amount of coffee you drink per day. The optimal dose is no more than one cup of weak coffee per day, preferably diluted with milk.
Although it is believed that drinking coffee in small quantities during pregnancy cannot harm the unborn child, it is still recommended to completely abandon this drink while pregnant. After all, caffeine can penetrate the placenta, causing an increase in the fetal heart rate, and it can also reduce blood flow to the placenta, which increases the risk of developing anemia and fetal hypoxia.
Coffee has a strong diuretic effect on the pregnant woman herself, so it is necessary to replenish fluid loss by drinking at least 1.5 liters of pure water without gas per day. In addition, constant consumption of coffee provokes the occurrence of urolithiasis, and also contributes to the leaching of beneficial microelements and vitamins from a woman’s body. Coffee also causes heartburn and abdominal discomfort for many.
But how can you refuse aromatic coffee? It invigorates, increases attention and productivity, improves mood. Caffeine is effective for some types of headaches and enhances the effect of some painkillers.
But despite this, drinking coffee in large quantities (6-7 cups per day or more) in the early stages increases the risk of miscarriages, and in the later stages - premature birth, as well as the birth of children with low body weight. Therefore, drinking coffee during pregnancy more than one cup a day and more than 3 times a week is not recommended.
In addition to all that has been said, coffee should be naturally ground and freshly brewed, and it is better to dilute it with milk or cream.
Chicory instead of coffee during pregnancy: what are the benefits and what are the contraindications?
Chicory cannot be called a complete substitute for coffee, although these two drinks are similar in taste and color. But during pregnancy, it is preferable to drink a chicory drink than strong coffee in the morning.
Chicory is rich in B vitamins (B1, B2, B3), vitamin C, pectin, carotene, microelements (potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron and others), as well as inulin, proteins, organic acids and tannins. It does not contain caffeine, which means that chicory drink can be drunk by people with high blood pressure and arrhythmia.
It promotes:
- improving metabolism and cleansing the body of toxins and other harmful substances, thereby helping the liver;
- normalizing the functioning of the intestines and stomach, reducing constipation and relieving heartburn and nausea, which is especially important during pregnancy;
- reduces the load on the heart (which is important during pregnancy, because with the appearance of a belly, the volume of blood in a woman’s body increases and the load on the heart increases);
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels, purifying the blood and increasing hemoglobin, which is important for anemia in pregnant women.
Chicory is also useful for congestive diseases of the kidneys and gall bladder, because it has a diuretic and choleretic effect.
For colds, a drink made from soluble chicory relieves heat and inflammation, suppresses the development of bacteria and increases the patient's immunity. But if you have a bronchial cough (including asthma), drinking chicory is not recommended, as it can worsen the cough.
During pregnancy, chicory is an effective tonic. Chicory also acts as a mild sedative, calming the nervous system after experiences, thereby improving mood.
Pregnant women with diabetes can drink chicory without fear, because it reduces blood sugar levels. In addition, chicory root has a sweetish taste, so there is no need to sweeten the drink with a sweetener, which is also good when fighting excess weight.
During pregnancy, you should not abuse chicory drink unless directed by a doctor. It is recommended to drink this drink no more than 2 times a day. You can add milk to it, so the drink will be even healthier and tastier. In addition, people with lactose intolerance do not experience discomfort after taking chicory with milk. This is due to the fact that chicory prevents milk from curdling in the stomach.
Taking a drink from chicory root is contraindicated for pregnant women with varicose veins, as well as for hemorrhoids. This is due to the vasodilating effect of chicory.
If there is a threat of miscarriage, bleeding, pain in the lower abdomen, shortening of the cervix, placenta previa, it is not recommended to drink chicory, as it can aggravate the situation. But if the pregnancy is progressing normally, then periodically taking a chicory drink will not harm.
Pregnant women who are allergic to the herb, as well as the vitamin C it contains, should also be wary of chicory.
For gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, chicory is also not recommended, because it causes an increase in appetite due to the secretion of gastric juice, which irritates the damaged mucous membrane of the patient’s gastrointestinal tract.
Pregnant coffee drinkers with gastritis who cannot resist a cup of this drink are still better off giving preference to chicory, but “soften” it with milk (can be condensed) or a scoop of ice cream and not drink it on an empty stomach.
In addition to all that has been said, chicory improves appetite, and excess weight during pregnancy is not welcome, so watch your diet and do not overeat.
Look for brands that say "100% natural chicory extract." Please note that the presence of artificial sweeteners and colors, as well as industrial fortification with vitamins, is NOT welcome.
A good product is, for example, Instant chicory with blueberries TM “Golden Root” (Russia) or TM “Galka” (Ukraine). You can also buy “pure” chicory (without added fruits and berries), but if you don’t like bitterness, then it’s still better to buy chicory with natural additives, which makes the taste softer.
A tasty and aromatic drink is also obtained from soluble chicory with extracts of green tea and chamomile TM “Elite Health Line” (Russia).
Is it possible to drink coffee during pregnancy?
While waiting for a baby, a woman's taste preferences change. For example, she used to not like coffee, but then suddenly she realizes: for some reason, she really wants coffee. Let it not be a strong natural one, but at least 3 in 1 (which is not healthy at all) - just to feel the invigorating aroma. This option is also possible: the girl has always been a passionate coffee drinker - and during pregnancy she cannot start the day without the treasured cup.
But can expectant mothers drink coffee or not?
The question is ambiguous: doctors cannot come to a consensus: some believe that a little coffee will not hurt, while others are categorically against drinking a strong invigorating drink by a woman who is carrying a child under her heart. Doctors also give different answers to the question: can pregnant women drink coffee in the early stages and in the later stages? Where is the truth?
- Coffee during pregnancy: is it possible or not?
- Coffee with milk
- Why pregnant women shouldn't drink coffee
- Restrictions in the second trimester
- Restrictions in the third trimester
- How much can you drink per day and how often?
- Coffee for low blood pressure
- Why is instant coffee harmful?
- Decaf Coffee: Pros and Cons
Coffee during early pregnancy
Can early pregnant women drink coffee? To be able to make an independent decision, let's remember what properties the drink has.
The main purpose of coffee is to invigorate and give energy. For this purpose, pure grain ground coffee, with cream or milk, is drunk in the morning by people who find it difficult to wake up quickly - the so-called “night owls”.
Indeed, coffee:
- drives away sleep;
- eliminates lethargy and weakness;
- helps to concentrate attention;
- speeds up metabolism.
All this is wonderful. However, the drink does not always have a positive effect on pregnancy: due to its stimulating qualities, it somewhat tones the uterus and blood vessels - therefore, in the early stages, drinking a large amount of coffee increases the risk of miscarriage. But to implement this scenario, you need to drink natural coffee in huge quantities, more than five cups a day. Moreover, it should not be cappuccino coffee, not a weak drink, but truly strong bean coffee. Not every woman, even if she is an avid coffee drinker, is capable of such a “feat”! Therefore, the risk is not that great.
Can pregnant women have coffee with milk?
The aromatic drink has diuretic properties, increasing the load on the kidneys - and they are already working hard, removing metabolic products from the mother and child. Here lies the benefit and harm: on the one hand, coffee, on the other hand, removes calcium, iron and other essential microelements from the body at an accelerated pace.
Exit? Those who drank coffee with milk during pregnancy claim that they felt great, and doctors did not find any abnormalities in the tests. Milk contains small amounts of calcium and other substances necessary for the mother and fetus and somewhat replenishes the reserves depleted by the invigorating drink. In addition, milk perfectly saturates and slows down the flow of caffeine into the blood. The latter property allows you to soften the effect of the drink on the cardiovascular system and the uterus.
Coffee during pregnancy: 2nd trimester
Can pregnant women drink coffee in the second trimester? When a blowjob is given, the most calm and pleasant time comes. The dangers of miscarriage are minimized, and the difficulties of the last trimester are still ahead. What are the dangers of drinking too much coffee these weeks?
The placenta is already formed and functioning perfectly. Coffee constricts blood vessels - this has a negative effect on the child. Little oxygen penetrates through the placenta - this can cause fetal hypoxia. In addition, calcium is actively excreted - and now the fetus especially needs it, since its skeletal system is forming. Coffee in large quantities affects the fetus, and therefore the question: “To drink or not to drink?” a woman must decide after weighing many circumstances. If, for example, no deviations in her health are found, she can afford a cup of milk a day, or even two (maximum). If doctors indicate an increased level of blood pressure, you should not provoke its further increase, it is better to think about replacing your favorite coffee. But more on that later.
Can pregnant women drink coffee in the second trimester? If there are no health problems, a little tasty drink won’t hurt. If there are problems, we drink coffee only occasionally, on major holidays, and then in small quantities. Or we change it to something else - maybe a caffeine-free barley drink, chicory.
Coffee during pregnancy: 3rd trimester
Why is coffee dangerous in the 3rd trimester? Doctors point to the possibility of premature birth and the birth of an underweight baby. It is dangerous to drink coffee in the last weeks due to possible fetal hypoxia. However, all of the above applies to large doses of the drink beloved by many. With moderate consumption - a cup a day, for example, in the morning - nothing bad will happen to either the mother and child, either at 9 months or earlier.
How much coffee can pregnant women drink?
If you drink small cups of coffee in the morning, and with milk and a hearty sandwich, such a breakfast is not harmful.
How often can pregnant women drink coffee? It is advisable to do this no more than once a day. But this issue is resolved on an individual basis. Your doctor will tell you how much coffee you can drink during pregnancy.
If a woman does not have a completely healthy stomach or has high blood pressure, the gynecologist will most likely recommend abstaining from the daily portion and replacing it with tea - green or very weak black. If swelling occurs, coffee can do a good job, acting as a tonic and diuretic.
Low blood pressure and coffee
During pregnancy, especially in the early stages, women experience. They are expressed in different ways, but many complain about:
- nausea;
- weakness;
- lethargy;
- noise in ears;
- dizziness.
A woman can feel that she feels bad at any moment. Doctors advise monitoring your blood pressure levels, as these symptoms may indicate a decrease in blood pressure. In this case, a little coffee is a great way out. You can drink freshly brewed or brewed, which is prepared directly in the cup. To get rid of nausea, make coffee with. It will also be good - it will quickly raise blood pressure, since it also contains caffeine, albeit in slightly smaller quantities. Strong tea acts much like coffee at low blood pressure.
Coffee is beneficial for low blood pressure in a pregnant woman. The main thing is to know your norm and not get the opposite effect - an increase in blood pressure.
Can instant coffee be used for pregnant women?
Many people like to try instant coffee or 3 in 1 in bags after lunch or as a snack - it’s faster, there’s no need to bother with the preparation process. But instant coffee is unlikely to be beneficial during pregnancy - it contains no more than 15% coffee beans. What else is included in the drink? Various “chemical” additives, which at best are simply neutral for the body, can be dangerous at worst. So whether you can drink instant coffee or not – decide for yourself. But if you really want a flavored drink, it’s better to drink a little natural one.
Can pregnant women have decaffeinated coffee?
It may seem that decaffeinated coffee for pregnant women is a great way out. In principle, if a woman’s blood pressure often rises, we can recommend this alternative. But don’t get carried away: this coffee undergoes special processing. As a result, instead of invigorating caffeine, it contains substances that can cause atherosclerotic plaques in the expectant mother, and a tendency to allergies in the child.
It has been scientifically proven that drinking 2-3 cups of decaffeinated coffee increases the risk of miscarriage by 2 times!
Changing coffee for tea in order to get rid of the effects of caffeine will not achieve anything: this element is present in both black and green tea. But chicory will help in this case. It contains inulin, which normalizes the functioning of the digestive tract and metabolism. When consuming chicory instead of coffee, pregnant women feel that their intestines have begun to work better. Neither regular coffee nor tea contains inulin. Therefore, it’s worth thinking about: maybe buy bags of chicory and brew them as soon as you want to take a sip of coffee?
Doctors provide the solution to the question of whether or not to drink coffee to the expectant mother. This drink does not pose an immediate threat to the fetus or the woman herself. One or even 2 small cups a day are allowed for almost everyone. But you shouldn’t drink more than this amount - you could actually harm your child or suffer from increased blood pressure yourself. In general, monitor your health - you yourself will understand what your norm is and how much coffee is optimal for you.
In the article we discuss whether pregnant women can drink coffee. We will talk about the benefits and harms of coffee for pregnant women. You will learn how a drink can affect the fetus, what to do if you really want coffee, and also what you can replace it with.
The benefits and harms of coffee for pregnant women in the early stages
Coffee during pregnancy is allowed in moderation
In each trimester of pregnancy, coffee affects the expectant mother and baby differently. Caffeine is considered beneficial only if the drink is prepared correctly and from high-quality grains, does not contain impurities, and you have no contraindications to consuming caffeine.
On the one hand, the benefits of coffee are obvious. The caffeine included in the composition can eliminate depression, improve mood, and give strength. When consumed in moderation, the drink relieves headaches, fights low blood pressure and hypotension. The norm of coffee is 1-2 small cups per day. Doctors advise not to drink coffee during pregnancy or to consume it in very limited quantities, as the drink can have a negative effect on the development of the fetus.
Coffee can be harmful if the dosage is increased. Regular consumption of coffee leads to increased urine output due to accelerated kidney function and, consequently, to dehydration. Coffee increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid by 5 times and the secretion of the salivary glands by 2 times, irritates the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, increases breathing and heart rate, and increases blood pressure.
Coffee removes calcium and other essential microelements from the body.(iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium), and not only removes, but prevents their absorption. Undoubtedly, a pregnant woman does not need such influence at all. Regular consumption of coffee provokes uterine tone and, therefore, increases the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.
But sometimes a fragrant cup is irreplaceable, especially if a woman cannot live or work without it. Just one serving a week of a natural, weak drink will not harm the baby, but the mother’s performance will increase and her well-being will improve.
How coffee can affect the fetus
Is it possible to drink coffee during early pregnancy? In the early stages of pregnancy, it is better to stop drinking coffee or, as a last resort, drink 20-30 ml of a freshly brewed drink diluted with milk.
Why shouldn't pregnant women drink coffee? It is harmful to drink a lot of coffee in the early stages of pregnancy, as this can threaten the improper formation of fetal organs. In the first trimester, the formation of organs, the nervous system, and the brain occurs. The fetus develops actively, it is sensitive to external factors. It takes all the substances its body needs from the mother’s. This must be taken into account when drinking more than 1 cup of coffee per day.
In the 2nd trimester, coffee during pregnancy does not have such a harsh effect on the body. At this stage, the baby is already stronger and can withstand elements that are not necessary for him.
Can pregnant women have decaffeinated coffee? There really is such coffee, but in the process of extracting caffeine from the beans, a small amount of caffeine remains, and it is impossible to completely obtain the drink without it. The caffeine extraction procedure uses harmful chemicals that can adversely affect the development of the fetus in any trimester and your well-being.
In the 3rd trimester, it is better to avoid coffee during pregnancy because swelling often occurs before childbirth. Caffeine delays fluid excretion.
According to Dr. Komarovsky, coffee has a negative effect during pregnancy.
From 1996 to 2002, Danish scientists conducted a study in which more than 88 thousand pregnant women participated. Research results:
- Drinking 1.5-3 cups of coffee per day leads to fetal death in 3% of cases.
- Drinking 3-4 cups of coffee leads to fetal death in 13% of cases.
- Drinking 4-7 cups of coffee leads to fetal death in 33% of cases.
- Drinking 8 or more cups of coffee leads to fetal death in 59% of cases.
Danish scientists also claim that caffeine can affect the mental development of the fetus and can slow down its growth in the womb.
Popular doctor and TV show host E.O. Komarovsky does not recommend that a pregnant woman include in her diet any overseas products that were not on the tables of our great-grandmothers. And speaking of coffee, it's not just the caffeine. Foreign proteins contained in such products are not absorbed by our body. This, firstly, increases the load on the liver, and during pregnancy it is already increased. And secondly, proteins unfamiliar to the body reach the fetus and cause allergies in the baby.
When deciding whether you should drink coffee during pregnancy, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor.
How many cups of coffee per day can an expectant mother drink?
Do not brew strong coffee, it is better to dilute the drink with milk
Can pregnant women drink coffee? Possible, but no more than 1 cup per day. If you drink 1 cup of the drink per week or less, that's even better. In general, if there are no contraindications or other instructions from the attending physician, then you can drink coffee, but if it is possible to limit the consumption of an invigorating drink, then you should abstain until the moment of birth. This is explained by the fact that caffeine, although beneficial in some cases, can have a negative effect on the fetus and the expectant mother.
In the first trimester (weeks 1-12), women often suffer from toxicosis. Moderate consumption of espresso can improve a woman’s well-being. Just one cup increases blood pressure and slightly increases the pulse, and this is a real salvation for hypotensive people. Is it possible to drink coffee with milk every day during pregnancy? Although milk or cream softens coffee and makes it less strong, you should not drink the drink every day.
How to replace coffee during pregnancy
Can pregnant women have chicory instead of coffee? Yes, chicory is a great alternative. Chicory does not contain caffeine, it has a beneficial effect on the nervous system of a pregnant woman. Inulin contained in chicory improves digestion. For a pregnant woman, this is especially true if there is constipation and toxicosis.
Chicory improves the functioning of the pancreas and cleanses the blood. In addition, chicory controls blood sugar levels. It tastes a little different from coffee.
Instead of brewed coffee during pregnancy, it is better to drink infusions from various herbs. Ivan tea and alfalfa are good. Currant leaves, brewed in the morning, promote normal kidney function and strengthen the immune system. Raspberry leaves have a positive effect on the uterus, preparing it for childbirth. It is allowed to take raspberry tea before childbirth.
Can pregnant women have coffee with cream? It is better not to drink coffee with cream on an empty stomach. Cream is a fairly fatty product. Eating cream on an empty stomach has a negative effect on the digestive tract. Drinking coffee with cream in the morning will kill your appetite and not get important vitamins.
If you cannot resist coffee with milk or cream, be sure to drink it weakly brewed and only after meals. During pregnancy, think about yourself and the baby, since everything you eat and drink will go not only to you, but also to the baby. Choose foods and drinks carefully, giving preference to natural ingredients.
When should you not drink coffee during pregnancy?
A direct contraindication to drinking coffee during pregnancy is stomach ulcers and gastritis. It is worth limiting the consumption of coffee during pregnancy in the 1st trimester, since at this time the formation of internal organs and the main development of the embryo occurs. You should not drink coffee without moderation. Optimally - 1 cup of coffee once every 2-3 days.
Contraindications for drinking coffee:
- high blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- early toxicosis and gestosis (complications in the second half of pregnancy);
- sleep disorders;
- fetoplacental insufficiency;
- anemia.
What to do if you really want to
If you cannot go a day without coffee, and your doctor has not prohibited you from drinking it, then you can sometimes drink one cup of the aromatic drink. Instant coffee is contraindicated during pregnancy; it does not contain beneficial substances, moreover, it has a harmful effect on the body.
If you want coffee in the morning, take beans without aromatic additives, grind them in a coffee grinder and brew a small cup. Can pregnant women have coffee with milk? Yes, milk makes the drink less strong. However, you should not drink coffee with milk or cream on an empty stomach.
In addition, the caffeine content in beans depends on the type of roasting. The more the beans are roasted, the more alkaloids they contain, and the taste of the drink becomes richer and stronger. Strongly roasted coffee is not suitable for pregnant women.
For more information about coffee during pregnancy, watch the video:
What to remember?
- Before drinking the drink, study the benefits and harms of coffee for pregnant women, as well as the dangers of coffee during pregnancy.
- Can pregnant women have coffee with milk in the morning? If there are no contraindications and you are in the second trimester, then one cup of coffee after meals will not hurt.
- For consumption, use only freshly brewed natural coffee. It is not recommended to drink instant coffee.