Breaking
FoodNerdy Recipes Management System
Tag

Pregnancy

Browsing
health

Coffee During Pregnancy

The cup of coffee in the morning – makes you awake, makes you happy and now belongs to the morning ritual as firmly as brushing your teeth. Yes – coffee consumption seems indispensable.
Of course, this results in a problem for young women: What about coffee during pregnancy? Can I drink coffee? Or is the cup of coffee harmful to my child? How much coffee is allowed? We clarify!

Coffee during pregnancy: an absolute no-go?

At this point we would like to calm all coffee lovers: it is not absolutely necessary to completely do without the cup of coffee in the morning!

The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends that a lot of 300mg of caffeine per day do not exceed – this corresponds to a maximum of two cups of coffee a day. According to the Danish researcher, the risk of premature birth is otherwise increasing. But be careful: not only coffee, also green or black tea, cola and even cocoa or chocolate contain caffeine and must therefore be taken into account in the bill.
In general, the less, the less, the better – because too much caffeine can of course be harmful during pregnancy, because the caffeine gets into the bloodstream of the unborn child. When it comes to the coffee types, you should make sure to buy Arabica beans.

Too much caffeine in pregnancy: consequences and risks

In the past, there was often fear that the increased caffeine consumption during pregnancy could favor miscarriage-fortunately, this assumption has now been rejected. A Scandinavian study now comes to the conclusion that the child’s birth weight is influenced by the absorption of caffeine. For example, women who consume a lot of coffee and similar foods on average 60-70 grams of lighter children give birth to more than those who do without it. Due to the lower birth weight, the risk of health problems in childhood increases. In addition, there is a problem that the embryo is not yet able to dismantle the caffeine in the blood – it is therefore deposited in the brain tissue. Unfortunately, there are no exact studies on the resulting consequences for child health.

Do without coffee: alternatives for pregnant women

As an alternative to caffeinated coffee, a replacement product, for example from barley or malt, can of course be brewed. This is caffeine -free and therefore harmless. Some types of tea are also ideal as an alternative – whereby it should be paid to the caffeine content again: black tea or green tea are, for example, caffeine, for example, rooibostee are not. If it is not necessarily warm, smoothies or freshly squeezed fruit juices are of course also suitable for breakfast.

Keep Reading
By
Cooking Tips

Coffee During Pregnancy: How Much is Allowed?

Many coffee lovers don’t want to do without their daily cup of coffee, even during pregnancy. But how much coffee is allowed?

Is Coffee Healthy During Pregnancy?

Women pay particular attention to their diet during pregnancy. After all, the unborn child and the mother should not lack for anything. It is all the more important to know food and its effects. This also applies to coffee and in particular the caffeine contained in coffee. According to studies and experts, the consumption of the drink is not prohibited in principle, but should be restricted. The European Food Supply Authority recommends a maximum of around 200 mg of caffeine per day for pregnant and breastfeeding women, which is equivalent to just over one cup (200 ml) of filter coffee. Typically, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day would be fine for an adult. There are no restrictions such as only drinking coffee up to a certain point in pregnancy or not drinking coffee shortly before the due date.

Lighter birth weight

Coffee is made up of more than 1000 substances, all of which can have different effects on the body. Caffeine has a particularly large impact. Researchers from Norway have found that regular coffee consumption can have an impact on the child’s birth weight. Children born to high-consumer coffee drinkers had a lighter weight at birth than children born to women who abstained from coffee. This is harmless in healthy children. However, if the baby is born prematurely, every gram of birth weight can make a difference.

Restless babies in the womb

Babies are nourished in the womb via the placenta. This also passes caffeine on to the child when the pregnant woman drinks coffee. In general, caffeine has the following effects on the body: Caffeine stimulates the heart rate and metabolism for a short time. Caffeine can have similar effects on the unborn child. This can cause the fetus to become restless in the womb. In addition, regular coffee drinking can lead to the mother producing more urine, sleepless nights and headaches after the caffeine has been filtered out of the system. Because the fetus lacks a liver enzyme, it takes nearly 20 times as long to break down caffeine. In addition, the absorption of iron from food is inhibited.

There is so much caffeine in cappuccino, latte macchiato and co.

Pregnant women should make sure that their total caffeine intake does not exceed 200 milligrams of caffeine. But caffeine cannot only be ingested by consuming black coffee. Caffeine is also found in latte macchiato, cappuccino, tea and cola. To give you an overview, we have put together a list of caffeinated drinks for you:

Filter coffee: Up to 80 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Espresso: Up to 110 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Cappuccino: Up to 30 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Cocoa: Up to 11 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Black Tea: Up to 50 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Cola/Cola zero: Up to 10 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Cola light: up to 12 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Club-Mate: up to 20 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Energy drink (varies depending on the variety): up to 32 mg caffeine per 100 ml (Red Bull)

What coffee alternatives are there for pregnant women?

To be on the safe side, many pregnant women avoid coffee. For those who find it difficult to wait more than nine months to enjoy it, we have various coffee alternatives:

Decaffeinated coffee: The number 1 alternative is the decaffeinated version of the classic. Our tip: For quality reasons, choose a decaffeinated coffee with an organic seal of approval. However, you should also watch the amount here, as excessive consumption of decaffeinated coffee can lead to stomach upset.

Muckefuck: Another alternative is the so-called Muckefuck. The drink with the unusual name is mostly made from grain and contains no caffeine. It is also referred to as “fake coffee” because although no coffee beans are used, the drink tastes slightly like coffee due to the chicory ingredient. Chicory (or “common chicory”) is a plant that often grows along roadsides.

Fruit and vegetable juices: If you don’t get out of bed well in the morning, you can use a freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice. The numerous vitamins are also a good freshness kick.

After childbirth: can breastfeeding women drink coffee?

Women should also limit their coffee consumption while breastfeeding. The infant can continue to absorb caffeine through breast milk. According to the German Society for Nutrition, however, breastfeeding women can safely consume a little more caffeine than pregnant women. The guide value is around 300 mg per day, which corresponds to around two cups (200 ml each) of filter coffee. According to the Professional Association of Pediatricians in Thuringia, there is no precise research into how much coffee is “safe” for breastfeeding mothers and their children. However, we already know that too much coffee can cause sleep disorders in babies. Caffeine can also cause stomach pain and bloating in babies. Breastfeeding women should therefore continue to pay attention to how much caffeine they consume per day.

Keep Reading
By
Lifestyle

Coffee During Pregnancy – How Much is Allowed?

A cup of coffee in the morning for the perfect start to the day or an enjoyable cappuccino in the afternoon as a little break – for many Eropeans, coffee is simply a part of life. And even during pregnancy, many expectant mothers do not want to do without the popular pick-me-up. But is coffee even allowed during pregnancy? And what effects does the caffeine in coffee have on the unborn baby?

The popular hot drink gives you an energy boost and makes you feel good. The reason for this is the dose of the stimulant caffeine contained in the coffee. It increases heart rate and blood pressure rises. We feel more awake. In women who drink coffee during pregnancy, the blood flow to the placenta also decreases. The caffeine can pass through the placenta unfiltered and enters the bloodstream of the unborn baby. As a result, the baby absorbs as much caffeine as its mother. Side effects such as an increased risk of premature birth or miscarriage and low birth weight can result.

Enjoy coffee in moderation during pregnancy

But the good news for all expectant mothers is that you don’t have to do without a cup of coffee completely. A caffeine dose of around 200 milligrams per day is safe for the baby. That equates to about two to three cups of filter coffee a day. Nothing stands in the way of morning coffee during pregnancy.

It is important to remember that caffeine is also found in other foods and beverages. This includes, for example, cola, black or green tea or chocolate.

Conclusion

Expectant mothers do not have to give up coffee completely during pregnancy. However, unborn babies consume the same dose of caffeine as mothers. It is therefore advisable to reduce coffee consumption during pregnancy and only enjoy it in moderation. It is crucial that pregnant women are only allowed to consume around 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. Since caffeine is not only found in coffee, but also in other drinks and foods, the specified dose can quickly be exceeded. A cup of decaffeinated coffee is a good alternative. Pregnant women can also use mint tea or a glass of fresh juice to get their circulation going.

Keep Reading
By