Pregnancy and caffeine
Should you give up coffee when you're pregnant? It is best to err on the side of caution and try to limit your daily dose.
Is there a link between pregnancy and your coffee and caffeine consumption?
There is a growing body of research which suggests a cut down on caffeine in the diet for maintaining proper health. This is especially true when a woman is pregnant. As of now, there has been no agreement on what levels of caffeine are safe for a pregnant women. What are the links between pregnancy and caffeine?
There are many conflicting studies on the subject of establish a safe caffeine ingestion level for pregnant women. But The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gyneacology has stated that women who consumed more than 200 mg of caffeine per day during their pregnancy, are at a higher risk of having a miscarriage. Therefore most doctors recommend that a woman should cut back on caffeine during pregnancy or even during the time when she is trying to conceive.
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Curbing caffeine cravings
You may find your taste buds do the cutting back for you. Your fondness for a cup of coffee may evaporate during the first trimester when your sense of taste changes and nausea can strike.If you still enjoy your morning coffee or your afternoon tea break at work, you don’t have to cut it out completely. Try these tips:
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- You can reduce the caffeine in your tea by brewing it for a shorter time. If you love a soothing cup of Earl Grey, steeping your tea bag for just one minute instead of five reduces the caffeine by as much as half.
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- If you love your coffee, try switching from brewed coffee to instant coffee as it’s slightly lower in caffeine. You could also make it weaker by using only half a teaspoon of coffee. Caffeine is not only in coffee. Other drinks include: teas (including green tea), cola, sports drinks and chocolate (except for white chocolate).
- You could try decaffeinated tea, coffee or cola, which tastes almost the same as caffeinated versions. And you may be able to trick yourself that you’re getting a caffeine hit!
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If you’re a devoted coffee or tea fan, caffeine withdrawal during your pregnancy isn’t easy. For the first couple of days you may experience:
Try to ease off gradually so you don’t feel ill. Cut back by half a cup each day. If you’re finding it a real struggle, some decaf tea or coffee may help to satisfy your cravings.