Life
Expectant moms like to know all the facts about having a healthy pregnancy. And although there are a lot of guidelines to follow, most of them are pretty straightforward. But it can be confusing when friends, family, and even total strangers weigh in with personal opinions and conflicting information. This may cause you to wonder what is doctor-approved and what’s a no-no, and even lead you to ask is drinking during pregnancy OK? Well, one thing most moms-to-be can agree on is that no, it’s not OK.
Strangely, people may advise you to have a Guinness while you’re pregnant, or tell you that one glass of wine is okay. But they’re wrong. All public health officials, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advise pregnant women to abstain from alcohol completely, and that includes organizations such as American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The American Pregnancy Association is also perfectly clear on the topic, stating on their website that “no amount of alcohol has been deemed safe during pregnancy, and if at all possible, even casual drinking should be avoided.” In other words, pickles and ice cream is the type of craving you can indulge in, but not drinking, not even once in awhile. So what’s a cocktail-loving mom-to-be to do? Enjoy a mocktail, of course! Here are five recipes for sweet, sparkly drinks that are perfectly safe for expectant moms.
1
Ginger Lime Fizz
Ginger is a natural remedy for morning (or afternoon, or nighttime) sickness that so often plagues pregnant women. Whip up Naturally Ella’s fizzy ginger drink and enjoy, both for its cocktail-like qualities as well as its potential soothing powers.
2
The Bright and Bitter
This tangy bright and bitter from The Kitchn may remind you of a full-on, alcoholic beverage because of the presence of aromatic bitters, which is usually strictly for grown-ups. But you can relax and enjoy the spicy taste: the recipe calls for non-alcoholic bitters.
3
Preggy Punch
The aptly named Preggy Punch mocktail from A Spicy Perspective blends pineapple-coconut juice with a splash of beloved ginger juice for a festive, refreshing drink (pink-and-blue cotton candy as a garnish is optional!).
4
Agua Fresca
Fruits and vegetables are an important component of your pregnancy diet, with benefits that can range from healthy fetal development to the promotion of a healthy birth weight. This non-alcoholic agua fresca from A Spicy Perspective serves up some healthy helpings of strawberries and pineapple and makes for a frosty, frothy treat. If the idea of pulp grosses you out, the recipe supplies a non-pulpy version.
5
Chia Acai Fresca
Chia seeds provide an excellent helping of omega-3 fatty acids, which are helpful for promoting baby’s healthy brain development. Chia seeds expand in fluid, adding a bubble tea-like experience to this chia acai fresca from Green Kitchen Stories.
