What Should You Drink When Pregnant? (Water, Best Juice, ALCOHOL?)

Pregnancy is fraught with mysteries and questions and worries galore. Who knew that choosing a beverage would be one of them? We all want to do what’s best for our babies, so I’m here to answer the burning question.

What should you drink when pregnant? Water, and lots of it. But you may also safely enjoy herbal tea, milk, fruit juice mixed with sparkling water, brothy soup, and a variety of smoothies.

That list should get your pregnancy shopping list started, but there is so much more to learn about safe drinks during pregnancy.

Read on to find out what to drink, how much to drink, and some tips to staying hydrated from conception through labor.

What is the best drink during pregnancy?

Water is the best thing to drink while rocking your baby bump and before!

Your body needs water to function properly, and when you’re drinking for two, you need enough for both of you.

Water is essential for keeping all the cells in your body healthy.

It aids in digestion and helps keep you cool through all those hot flashes.

You lose a lot of water through urination, sweating, and simply breathing.

That’s why it’s so important to replenish your water often.

Pregnancy is thirsty work, so turn to your water bottle whenever you need a drink.

How much water does a pregnant woman need?

How much water each individual pregnant woman should drink depends on a variety of factors.

Overall health, climate, activity level, and doctor’s orders all play a part.

However, on average, a pregnant woman should aim for about 10 cups of water per day.

That’s approximately 2.3 liters.

While water is the clear winner in the liquid wars, any safe drink can count toward your “water” intake each day.

There’s no need to add 10 cups of water on top of your liquid intake if you’re already meeting that need elsewhere.

What can I drink besides water during pregnancy?

Women are always told what not to do, not to eat, and not to drink during pregnancy, and it can be frustrating.

The “don’t” list is long and daunting.

Unfortunately, the “do” lists are harder to come by, but I think they’re important, too. So, here’s a list of other healthy drinks to keep you hydrated during pregnancy.

Herbal Tea

Tea can provide much-needed antioxidants and other healing properties, including reducing morning sickness.

Hallelujah!

But I want to honest here.

Herbal tea isn’t actually “tea” in the technical sense.

I know, it’s mind-blowing, but hear me out.

Real tea is made with the Camellia sinensis plant and comes in four basic varieties.

• Black tea
• Green tea
• Oolong tea
• White tea

Notice that none of those say “herbal”?

That’s because herbal tea is actually an infusion of other plants and water.

But who cares about technicalities?

As long as my herbal tea is caffeine-free and safe for use during pregnancy, I don’t care what it’s called.

Some safe bets are:

• Chamomile
• Lemon balm
• Nettle leaf (not root)
• Peppermint
• Ginger
• Rooibos

As with anything during pregnancy, be sure to ask your doctor if a particular tea is right for you.

Some herbal teas can have adverse effects on women with certain health issues.

Milk

Unless you’re lactose intolerant, most doctors want you to add some calcium-rich milk to your pregnancy diet.

It’s loaded with nutrients that you and your baby need, but it’s also a great way to add more liquid to your day.

Some sources say you should guzzle down 3 glasses of milk a day, or about 24 ounces, but I know many women can’t stomach that much milk in a single day.

It’s okay if you just splash some on your cereal or put some in your tea. Every drop of milk counts!

Non-Dairy Milk Substitutes

For those who can’t drink milk or those who simply choose not to, you’re not out of luck.

There are plenty of dairy-free milk substitutes on the market that are safe during pregnancy.

Be sure to check with your doctor first, but soy milk is often considered safe during pregnancy, as are nut milk like:

• Cashew
• Almond milk

There is also oat milk, rice milk, and hemp milk to try.

Keep in mind that many of these milk alternatives include additives to thicken the liquid and add a more milk-like texture.

You need to carefully read labels to be sure your next sip isn’t loaded with something dangerous for you or your baby.

Juice

Fruit juice is a delicious way to add hydration and nutrition to your day. It’s especially nice to have this option when you’re feeling morning sickness creep in.

But there’s a problem.

Fruit juice from the store is usually loaded with added sugar.

All those added calories can really pile up, making your weight gain skyrocket. It’s also not good to blast your blood sugar through the roof every time you take a swig of juice.

A way around this is to buy 100% juice with no additives.

You can also cut regular fruit juice with sparkling water.

That will help you get your soda fix, too.

A word of warning on juices: be sure they are pasteurized.

Smoothies

Oh, the huge variety of smoothies I drank during my pregnancies was incredible.

I couldn’t get enough of them.

They were an easy way to get a blast of nutrients and hydration all in one tasty beverage I could tote along with me.

Make your own smoothies to prevent any added sugars from sneaking into your diet.

Choose ripe, organic fruits and berries to be sure you’re not drinking loads of chemicals.

I’m especially fond of the giant bags of frozen berry mixes.

Just chuck a handful of those into a blender with a banana and some orange juice and ice, give it a whirl, and it’s delicious time.

You can make smoothies out of just about any fruit or veggie, so get creative.

A nice bonus is that if you don’t like the taste of straight milk, you can sneak some of that calcium-rich goodness into a smoothie and hide the taste.

Can foods help meet water intake during pregnancy?

There are many choices of foods that can add hydration to your day without ever drinking a drop.

Here are my top picks.

Fruits

If it’s a sweltering hot day and you can’t stand the thought of another drop of water, grab a few slices of juicy watermelon.

This fruit is almost entirely water, as the name implies, so you’ll be having a tasty snack loaded with nutrients while adding to your liquid intake.

The same goes for other melons, oranges, pineapple chunks, and kiwi fruits.

There are so many more, you just need to pick your favorites and munch away.

You can’t go wrong with fruit.

So dig in, guilt-free.

Broth

Soups are another great option, especially in cold weather. Grab a mug of low-sodium broth and sip down the warmth while staying hydrated. The broth was my go-to choice for morning sickness, too.

Cold Cereal

Cereal with milk or your choice of milk substitute counts too!

Most people pour about 4 ounces into their bowl, but you can add as much or as little as you like. Each drop counts when you’re trying to get enough liquid down.

Can I drink coffee during pregnancy?

I was so shocked when my doctor said I could drink coffee during my third pregnancy.

I’d been told for years it wasn’t safe at all, so I’d already suffered through two pregnancies without my morning cup of Joe.

After that news, I was overjoyed and ready to brew up a nice, fat pot, but my doctor gave me a serious warning.

I must limit my intake to a single serving, and not a drop more.

To clarify, I was told 8 ounces was safe, but anything over that had the potential to harm my baby due to caffeine content.

He was so sure it was safe, he gave me some literature on it.

Here’s an example of the studies done.

It’s important that you talk to your doctor about your own needs before you dive into a mug of Java though.

Some women can’t have coffee or any kind of caffeine.

In the end, I went the cautious route and reduced my intake to a mere 4 ounces a day to keep caffeine to a minimum.

I got to enjoy the taste I loved so much but didn’t endanger my little bun.

Related Questions

Are sports drinks safe during pregnancy? Usually, yes. However, you should seek medical advice before you try any sports drinks during pregnancy.

As long as your doctor says it is safe, they are a good way to replenish electrolytes which can reduce the leg cramping that’s common in expectant mothers.

Can you drink soda when pregnant? You can, but you should do so with caution or better yet not at all. Soda (or pop) contains a lot of sugar, which is not good for anyone.

Many sodas also contain caffeine, which can be dangerous in higher doses.

Is cranberry juice good for pregnancy? which packs a hefty dose of vitamin C—provides most pregnant women with an easy way to stay hydrated while minimizing potentially serious health problem like UTI’s. It is very safe AND nutritious during pregnancy

Is orange juice good to drink while pregnant? Not only is this juice high in vitamin C and folic acid, but it’s also a good source of potassium, which has been shown to help lower high blood pressure, a particular danger during pregnancy.