Pregnancy is a special time that calls for extra care for both mom and baby’s well-being. Hydration helps support the growth and development of the baby, helps with digestion, and prevents common pregnancy problems. Prenatal care and staying hydrated is important, and including nutritious drinks can be a delightful way to support a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Here are top 10 refreshing and nourishing drinks to enjoy during this special journey!!
1. Water: Your Hydration Partner
Water is a good thing to drink during pregnancy. The body needs water the most during pregnancy. Water keeps you hydrated and helps control your blood pressure. What's more important than drinking water to manage common pregnancy complications like UTIs (urinary tract infections), constipation, hemorrhoids, and fatigue? It will also help you replace lost fluids by sweating or vomiting during pregnancy.
Apart from this, it is the main component of breast milk and is very essential for lactation. Drink at least 10 to 12 glasses of water throughout the day.
2. Lemon Water
Consuming lemon water is very beneficial during pregnancy. Benefits of lemon water are it contains vitamin C which helps the body in absorbing iron effectively. It is an antioxidant which prevents headache and aids in morning sickness, the most common first trimester symptom. It keeps your body hydrated. You can drink 1 glass of lemon water in the morning everyday.
You can consume lemon water before or during lunch which promotes and improves digestion. The best time to drink lemon water is in the morning on an empty stomach, this helps boost immunity and metabolism.
If you have morning sickness, then add some ginger, mint leaves, and some chaat masala in lemon water and drink it.
3. Tender Coconut Water
Coconut water (નારિયલ પાણી) is the most nourishing and refreshing drink. It is a natural electrolyte-rich drink that maintains a healthy fluid balance. With its sweet and salty balance, it is a drink liked by everyone. The important minerals present in coconut water are sodium, potassium, and calcium. It is high in potassium, which can help prevent muscle-cramps during pregnancy. It is also rich in vitamin B and C.
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Coconut water provides relief from heartburn, acidity, and constipation and improves kidney function. As it is a low calorie drink, women’s weight remains controlled during pregnancy.
You can drink 1 glass of coconut water every day or every alternate day.
4. Buttermilk
Buttermilk, which is commonly known as ‘chhach’, can be great for freshening your mood as well as your gut. Indians drink buttermilk or ‘lassi’ which keeps you hydrated during pregnancy in the summer season and can beat the heat by its cooling effect. Buttermilk contains vitamin B12, protein and calcium which makes digestion healthy.
You can have it in many ways: sweet, salty, less spicy or a mix of it all. You can consume buttermilk as a snack in between heavy meals. They also contribute to adding the good bacteria to the gut maintaining gut health and flora.
You can drink buttermilk while having your lunch or as a snack in the evening. But make sure to drink it after it comes to room temperature. Because cold buttermilk may even cause cough and cold in pregnant women.
5. Jaljeera
Jaljeera drink is a refreshing and energizing drink during pregnancy. It not only keeps you hydrated but also cures pregnancy nausea. The tangy salty taste of jaljeera can improve your mood swings and also aids in digestion.
You can drink jaljeera water after an episode of vomiting or if you feel nauseous. You can add a pinch of ‘હીંગ’ Asafetida which benefits for upset stomach.
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6. Cow’s Milk
Milk and milk products are rich in protein, vitamins (Vitamin B12) and calcium. Best source of calcium is cow’s milk. It is always recommended to drink desi cow milk during pregnancy which helps in the development of the unborn child. Drinking cow’s milk ensures the baby receives enough calcium for its bones and teeth development. Protein is useful for increasing the strength of the uterus during pregnancy. This reduces chances of abnormal miscarriage due to uterine insufficiency. Desi cow’s milk is very rich in essential amino acids which helps in formation of new cells in the mother and the foetus.
You can drink one glass of milk with one drop of ghee in it before bed.
7. Raw Mango Pulp Juice
Mangoes are rich in iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folic acid. It aids in nausea and morning sickness, and a good option for pregnancy cravings. Mango panna (made from a mixture of cold water and raw mango pulp) is a sour drink and is very helpful in dehydration. You can drink mango juice when you are craving something sour. Since it is sour, drink it before 4:00 pm.
Apart from this, vitamins are also found in abundance in this drink which are helpful to you during pregnancy. It is a good source of fibre and vitamin C. You can add a pinch of turmeric, which acts as anti-inflammatory and boosts immunity.
Other fruit juices are also good during pregnancy. You can eat fruits or even drink natural fresh fruit juices rich in vitamins, minerals and natural sugar for refreshment. The best juices for pregnant women are orange, pomegranate, and watermelon. The best fruits for all trimesters is a myth. You can eat seasonal fruits as per your trimester.
(Note: Pregnant can have all fruit juices except Papaya and Jambu, but Fruits are more beneficial when eaten in a raw form.)
8. Vegetable Soups
Consumption of vegetables and fruits are a must during pregnancy. If you are not able to consume enough vegetables in your daily diet, you can consume vegetable soup instead. This contains abundant nutrients which are very essential for you during pregnancy. Soups made from a combination of vegetables carry the nutritional value of all the vegetables and also stimulate hunger for women who dislike food and vegetables due to nausea.
Soup made out of vegetables like broccoli, carrot, cabbage, onion, tomato, etc. provide protein, fibre and activate taste buds.
You can have a hot bowl of vegetable soup when you are sick or have a cough/cold. The best time to drink vegetable soup is before dinner or when you are craving it.
9. Chia Seed Water
Benefits of chia seed in water during pregnancy are:
Chia seed is rich in copper, zinc, niacin (Vitamin B12), calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphate which helps in development of the baby during pregnancy. You can drink overnight soaked chia seed water, which contains abundant nutrients. It is beneficial to drink 1 glass of chia seed water every morning for planning women.Therefore, include this drink in your diet during pregnancy. You can also add chia seeds in fruit juices and milkshakes.
10. Mint Tea
Mint tea is good for pregnant women. Mint leaf tea is very helpful in dealing with the problem of morning sickness during pregnancy. Drinking mint tea increases appetite (hunger), relieves headache, helps in digestion, relieves heartburn, provides relief from problems like nausea/vomiting and cures insomnia (અનિદ્રા).
Soak some mint leaves in lukewarm (હુંફાળું) water and then wash them with cold water. After this take some leaves, a cup of water in a vessel and boil it on low flame until bubbles start appearing in it. Filter it and add lemon, honey and tulsi (peppermint leaves) to it and drink it. You can drink it when you have a cough or cold.
It is refreshing and soothing, relieves stress and boosts immunity. During pregnancy many women feel anxious or stressed, mint tea is a natural sedative and muscle relaxant that can help you reduce stress and make you more relaxed. It also relaxes your chest and throat muscles and prevents cough, cold and flu.
Drinks That Pregnant Women Should Avoid
Pregnant women should avoid these 5 drinks during pregnancy:
- Alcohol
- Unpasteurized Milk
- Fruit Juices (Prefer Eating Fruits)
- Caffeinated Drinks
- Sodas
In Conclusion
Pregnancy is a critical phase in women’s life, and maintaining a healthy diet is very important. Pregnant women are advised on what to eat but no one tells them what to drink during pregnancy. Whatever the mom consumes has a direct effect on the baby’s health. So a pregnant woman should stay hydrated and ensure a healthy pregnancy journey. From Water, milk, soups to herbal teas, healthy smoothies during pregnancy and more can be a favourable and enjoyable experience.
These nourishing drinks will not only satisfy your thirst but also provide essential nutrients for you and your growing baby!!
(Important Note: Here are all possible options. You can have water, buttermilk, milk and coconut water daily, while other drinks as per your requirements and convenience.)
Disclaimer: This blog is correct as per the writer’s knowledge. This is not a medical guidance. Follow as you are responsible for.
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