The journey of pregnancy is no less than a roller coaster ride. All through the nine months, the expecting mother is concerned about the diet that she should consume, in order to ensure a healthy baby. A lot of health drinks are marketed for supplementing the pregnant mother with the essential nutrients. However, there are many natural drinks that give way more health benefits to the developing baby and the mother.
If you have embarked on the precious journey of motherhood, you are bound to pay more attention to your diet. With a number of health drinks available in the market, learn more about the top ten natural health drinks that women can drink during their pregnancy, to get the best nutrients for you and your baby.
Healthy Drinks for Pregnant Women
Consuming some healthy fluids, especially during the summers, serves as an instant source of energy. Although there are a lot of natural healthy drinks for pregnant women, these are the top ten picks.
- Tender Coconut
Tender coconut is by far the most nourishing, refreshing and most natural drink that is available directly for consumption. With its excellent sweet and salt balance, it is a drink liked by everyone. The essential mineral salts that are present in tender coconuts like sodium, potassium and calcium, serve as key regulators of growth and development. Besides this, tender coconut also has an abundance of vitamin B and C. Particularly during pregnancy; many women suffer from heartburn, acidity and constipation. Tender coconut is a panacea for all these problems.
- Fresh Fruit Juices
Fruit juices that are prepared freshly carry all the goodness of the fruit and provide the required dietary fibre to the pregnant woman. During pregnancy, the expecting mother can consume the juice of all the seasonal fruits to get the best out of nature. All fruits provide a lot of vitamins and minerals, that is essential for the growing baby.
- Soup
Consumption of vegetables and fruits are a must during pregnancy. To maximize the consumption, soups made from a combination of vegetables can be taken regularly. Soups carry the nutritional value of all the vegetables and also serve as good appetizers for women who suffer from an aversion to food during pregnancy. Soups made out of vegetables like broccoli, carrot, cabbage, onion, tomato, etc. provide protein and fibre and activate the taste buds.
- Buttermilk
Buttermilk or churned curd called lassi are great ways of beating the heat. Many variations in taste can be brought about by adding salt, sugar or Indian spice masala and consumed during the day to restore the loss of fluids and salt, especially in summer. It soothes the digestive system and alleviates the common pregnancy discomfort of heartburn. They also contribute to adding good bacteria to the gut.
- Milk
Milk is one of the primary sources of calcium during pregnancy. Regular consumption of milk and its by-products is a must to ensure that the baby receives enough calcium for its bone and teeth development. Many women develop a dislike for the taste and smell of milk during pregnancy. To circumvent this problem, some fruit flavours or health drinks can be added to make it interesting.
- Smoothies
Fresh fruit or vegetable smoothies can be consumed to as an alternative to breakfast during pregnancy. Many women who experience morning sickness have a tough time having breakfast. As a workaround to this problem, smoothies can be prepared with seasonal fruits and vegetables. It not only gives a feeling of fullness but also provides a healthy start to the morning.
- Herb-infused Tea
Herbal teas are great de-stressing drinks that give a very calming and relaxing effect. Herbal teas are available in different combinations in the market with a variety of herbs like mint, tulsi, ginger, lemongrass, chamomile, etc. Each has a unique effect on the body, and you can choose your favourite herb and have a sip during the day.
- Lemon Water
Lemon water is an energizing drink that can be consumed as such or with a teaspoon of honey, first thing in the morning. This citrus fruit is a powerhouse of vitamin C, that helps in digestion. It helps in relieving nausea, morning sickness and bloating that is associated with pregnancy. It instantly energizes the body and can be consumed with sugar and a pinch of salt which helps bring electrolyte balance in the body.
- Fresh Vegetable Juice
Just like fruit juices, vegetables also can be blended together or separately to get a juice. These concoctions can be diluted or sweetened with sweeteners and consumed. They make for a great source of fibre, vitamins, proteins and minerals. Vegetables like carrot, beetroot, cucumber and spinach can be used for making vegetable juice, and these can compensate for a day of low vegetable intake.
- Water
Last but not the least is water. Consumption of a lot of water throughout the day has innumerable benefits for a pregnant woman. It not only prevents dehydration but also maintains hormonal balance, evens out mood swings and flushes out toxins regularly from the body. To make the consumption of water interesting, you can spice it with some lemon or fresh mint leaves or slices of cucumber.
Consuming all of these healthy drinks while pregnant adds great nutritional value to the diet. During pregnancy, it is best to avoid alcohol, high caffeine drinks, aerated beverages, preserved fruit juices and high energy drinks. They affect not just the mother, but also reach the baby through the placenta and harm them. If you are habituated to such drinks, gradually reduce their consumption and replace them with any of the natural health drinks.
The food that you consume and the drinks that you drink directly or indirectly affect the growing foetus. To avoid any ill effects on the baby, it is very important for mothers to monitor their food consumption and remove all the harmful substances from their diet. Regular consumption of these top ten natural, healthy drinks not only satisfies the hunger pranks but also gives a good dose of essential nutrients to both the mother and the baby.
