Ah, that morning cup of coffee... The smell. The taste. The kickstart to your day. It's a simple daily pleasure that you don't want to give up while pregnant, and thankfully, you don't have to.
How much coffee/caffeine can you drink while pregnant?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. That's about one 12-ounce cup of coffee.
It is important to note that caffeine is found not only in coffee but also in tea, chocolate, and some sodas. So, you should consider their total intake of caffeine from all sources, and you should always talk to your doctor about how much caffeine is safe for you specifically.
What are the effects of coffee/caffeine on the fetus/baby?
The consumption of coffee/caffeine in pregnancy is a topic of debate, but studies have shown that small amounts of caffeine seem to have no negative outcome on the baby.
Why is too much caffeine bad during pregnancy?
High doses of caffeine during pregnancy have been associated with negative outcomes for both the mother and the developing fetus. There are several reasons why too much caffeine is considered to be harmful during pregnancy:
Miscarriage: Some studies have suggested that high doses of caffeine may increase the risk of miscarriage, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Preterm labor: There is some evidence to suggest that high doses of caffeine may increase the risk of preterm labor or delivering a baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Low birth weight: Some studies have found that high doses of caffeine during pregnancy may be associated with lower birth weight, which can increase the risk of health problems for the baby.
Increased heart rate: Caffeine can increase the heart rate of both the mother and the fetus, which may lead to other complications.
Interference with iron absorption: Caffeine can interfere with the absorption of iron, which is an essential nutrient during pregnancy.
Is coffee safe to drink while pregnant?
There are two things to consider when evaluating your coffee habit in pregnancy: 1. how much caffeine is in what you're drinking, and 2. how clean is the coffee you're drinking.
Let's look at the second factor first.
Chemicals used in the production of coffee
Coffee beans among the most highly-sprayed and chemically-treated crops on the planet with some estimates showing that EVERY ACRE of coffee gets treated with 250 pounds of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.
In fact, there are over 42 documented pesticides and chemicals used in the production of coffee and the U.S. has no maximum residue limit for pesticides on roasted coffee beans. That means no oversight or monitoring.
Even worse, low caff & decaf coffees – the kind you gravitate toward when you're pregnant – are among the worst offenders because of additional chemicals that are used in the decaffeination process.
Studies from the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecology have linked exposure to environmental toxins with adverse reproductive and fetal health outcomes. And while some argue that most chemicals are burned off in the coffee bean roasting process, but there are no guarantees.
Bottom line: you should be picky about the type of coffee you drink while pregnant, demanding clean, organic beans and chemical-free growing and processing.
How much caffeine is in coffee?
On average, an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains around 95 milligrams of caffeine. However, the amount of caffeine in coffee can vary depending on several factors such as the type of coffee beans, the brewing method, and the serving size.
Depending on the roast of the beans, how they're brewed & the size of your mug, caffeine levels vary so widely across brands. In fact it's easy to exceed the safe limit of caffeine for the ENTIRE DAY in a SINGLE CUP.
Did you know one grande Verdana blend from Starbucks has 360 mg of caffeine! That's 160 mg OVER the daily safe amount for pregnant women.
Even coffee labeled "half caff" is unreliable.
A package of ground coffee might be labeled as half or quarter caff, but how often - if ever - do you see exact brewing instructions to get to that caffeine level? Exact number of scopes to add? How big the scopes should be? Exactly how much water to use to get to the right ratio?
That makes caffeine levels a guessing game, which causes worry and stress while pregnant. Two things you definitely don't need.
What are the best coffee alternatives during pregnancy?
You WANT to keep drinking coffee, but you feel like you should give it up.
The good news is you don't need to avoid coffee while pregnancy; you just need to drink the right kind in the right amount.
You can continue drinking coffee safely if you know EXACTLY how much caffeine is every cup you drink - precisely, down to the milligram.
When you know for sure, you don't have to stress and can make decisions about the rest of the day (drink that afternoon cup or have that chocolate, for example)
Glimmer Coffee concentrate is pre-brewed with precise caffeine per serving so you don't have to give up coffee while pregnant & breastfeeding. Plus, it's 100% chemical free.
Now you can know EXACTLY how much caffeine you're drinking in every cup. No guessing. No guilt.
Check it out here and try some today: Glimmer Coffee Concentrate. Delicious & Safe for Pregnancy