What juices should be avoided during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it also requires some adjustments to your normal routine. One area that needs special attention is your diet, including the beverages you consume. While juices can be a nutritious choice, there are some types that should be limited or avoided altogether when you’re expecting.

Why pay attention to juices during pregnancy?

Here are some key reasons to carefully consider which juices to drink when pregnant:

• Some juices may contain ingredients or bacteria that could be harmful to your developing baby.
• Fruit and vegetable juices impact your daily allotment for carbs and sugar, which need to be monitored.
• Juices affect your hydration status and nutrient intake.
• The ingredients in juice can interact with medications you may take during pregnancy.

Consulting with your doctor and being choosy about juice sources and contents is important to protect your health and your baby’s development.

Juices to avoid during pregnancy

Here are some juices that should generally be avoided or limited during pregnancy:

Unpasteurized juice

Unpasteurized juice, often called fresh-squeezed juice, has not been heat treated to kill harmful bacteria. Consuming unpasteurized juice may expose you and your baby to foodborne illnesses like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria.

Stick to pasteurized juices or thoroughly wash and cook produce when making homemade juices to minimize the risk.

Green juices with alfalfa sprouts

Alfalfa sprouts may harbor salmonella and E. coli bacteria and should be avoided in green juices and other foods during pregnancy. Other raw sprouts like mung bean and broccoli sprouts are also best avoided.

Aloe vera juice

Aloe vera juice may stimulate uterine contractions, which can cause preterm labor. It’s best to avoid drinking it when expecting.

Kombucha

The fermentation process of kombucha may introduce harmful bacteria like listeria. Pasteurized kombucha may be safer but should still be limited since kombucha is acidic.

Juices high in sugar

Fruit juices like orange, apple, grape and pineapple juice tend to be high in natural sugars. Consuming too much sugar during pregnancy can increase your risk for excess weight gain and gestational diabetes.

Limit high-sugar juices to no more than 4-6 ounces per day as part of a balanced diet.

Juice cleanses or detoxes

Juice cleanses and detox diets restrict your diet to only juice for several days. This provides inadequate calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals for a healthy pregnancy.

Avoid detoxes and extreme juicing programs when pregnant or trying to conceive.

Low-risk juices

Here are some healthy juice options to include during pregnancy:

Vegetable juices

Fresh vegetable juices like tomato, carrot, beet, cucumber, and celery can provide nutrients like vitamin C, folate, and potassium. Focus on low-sugar veggies and limit high-glycemic ones like carrots and beets.

Pasteurized fruit juices

Pasteurized cranberry, pomegranate, peach, pear, and grape juices offer benefits like antioxidants and hydration. But limit to 4-6 ounces per day due to the natural sugar content.

Low-sugar blends

Mix vegetable juices with a small amount of pasteurized apple, orange, or grape juice for flavor. This minimizes the glycemic impact compared to soda, sweet teas, and other high-sugar drinks.

Diluted pure juices

For fruit juices you enjoy, dilute them with plain or sparkling water for a lower-sugar option. Mix half water, half juice.

Coconut water

Pure coconut water contains electrolytes like potassium and magnesium for good hydration, with less sugar than many juices.

Making your own juices

Making your own juices at home lets you control the ingredients and follow proper food safety. Here are some tips for homemade juices during pregnancy:

• Wash all produce thoroughly before juicing.
• Use only pasteurized/treated juices and cider or thoroughly cook juice ingredients.
• Clean your juicer properly before and after use.
• Don’t store juices for more than a day; drink fresh.
• Use only ripe, unspoiled fruits and vegetables.
• Combine with water or ice to dilute natural sugars.
• Consult your doctor if any concerns about a homemade juice recipe.

Should you drink juice daily when pregnant?

Here are some factors to consider regarding making juice a daily habit during pregnancy:

Pros	Cons
Provides hydration Excellent source of nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants Low-sugar options like vegetable juices Raw juices provide active enzymes	Fruit juices are high in natural sugars Potential foodborne illness risk from unpasteurized juice Raw sprouts may harbor bacteria Fiber is removed during juicing

Regularly drinking small amounts of low-sugar, pasteurized juices like vegetable juices, diluted fruit juices, or fresh juices made at home using safe produce can be safe and healthy. But juices should not replace eating plenty of whole fruits and vegetables, which provide fiber and other important nutrients.

Other pregnancy nutrition tips

Here are some additional ways to eat right and stay hydrated during pregnancy beyond your juice choices:

• Drink at least 8 cups of water daily in addition to other fluids.
• Focus on whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, dairy, nuts, and healthy fats.
• Take a prenatal vitamin to fill any nutritional gaps.
• Limit caffeine to 200mg per day or less.
• Avoid alcohol completely.
• Practice food safety like avoiding unpasteurized products.
• Give in to cravings in moderation – indulge once in a while for your own sanity!

Conclusion

What you drink is just as important as what you eat when you’re expecting. Juices can be a healthy part of your pregnancy diet in moderation, as long as you choose safe, low-sugar options like vegetable juices and dilute the fruit options. Avoid unpasteurized juices as well as juice cleanses or detoxes. Focus on a balanced diet with plenty of water and talk to your doctor about any concerns over what juices are best for you and your baby.