Hot Drinks - what is 'safe'?

[Capsicum]

I've seen lots of threads about whether caffeine should or shouldn't be drunk in pregnancy, but not really any about the safety of other hot drinks in general.

I personally have decided to totally avoid caffeine altogether (gutted, as I'm a coffee-a-holic!) but need a substitute hot drink. I'm really struggling to research on the web what is 'safe' and what isn't. Some sources say herbal teas should be avoided. Some say that some herbal teas are safer than others. I have a coffee substitute containing chicory, and I think even that is not recommended. And I've also read mixed reviews about rooiboos tea.

Can anybody recommend a hot drink that has been given the 'all clear'? I sit here sipping my lemon and ginger tea in trepidation!

 

[Flick]

ovaltine says it is! https://www.ovaltine.co.uk/mygoodness

handy since i love ovaltine

they have a competition each month too

 

[twinkletoes80]

I am on rooibos, like 5 a day, its my favourite I drink it like normal tea. So...let me know if there is something I should know there.. Although its so rich in minerals and isnt a "herb" as such so I think its safe. I am avoiding all herbal teas, except for peppermint, raspberry leaf and nettle. I read somewhere that even chamomile isnt safe. Nettle is supposed to be very good due to its calcium, potassium and iron content.
I do normally drink barleycup coffee substitute which contains chicory, but ive gone off that during pregnancy.
xxx

 

[Capsicum]

Update: I drank my lemon and ginger tea........and now I feel sick!

 

[milo-chan]

I had the same problem, trying to find something to substitute coffee and was so worried about what I could/couldn't drink.

From what I have found out, any herbal tea that contains hibiscus is completely off limits - it may cause miscarriage. Really check the packaging of herbal teas because you would be surprised at what herbal teas do contain hibiscus. I used to drink a lemon infused tea (can't remember the name now) before I was pregnant but was surprised to read that it has hibiscus in it!!

I do know that peppermint tea is ok to drink - the only ingredient is peppermint! I was drinking it a lot before my morning sickness set in but now just the thought of it makes me nauseous...

 

[loopy_lou]

I had similar concerns as i drink a lot of tea and have the occasional can of pepsi max. Luckly i dont drink much booze.

What i understand is that all tea and coffee have a degree of caffeine in them and you should try and not exceed 300mg per day more and you can affect the weight of the baby. (regularly overdoing it not once and a while)

Mug of instant coffee is roughly 100mg
Mug of tea 75mg
cans of cola roughly 40mg
High energy drinks like red bull 80mg

There is also caffeine in chocolate
50g bar of plain choc is about 50mg
50g bar of milk choc is about 25mg

My understanding is that herbal and decaf versions of tea and coffee have negligible amounts of caffeine.

My plan was to switch to decaf tea (yorkshire decaf is very nice) and when i go to starbucks i have a skinny decaf coffee but this is about once a month! And i limit myself to one can of pepsi max a day. I have even take to taking tea bags with me to friends house as i know they will not have decaf tea bags. I use to love fruit tea but gone right off at the moment and herbal teas i am not a fan at the moment of minty teas as they make me feel sick.

Hope this helps.

LL

 

[dali]

other thing to watch out for in herbal teas is raspberry leaf, after 35 weeks it is recommmended to help tone the uterus before labour to make pushing easier ( think it worked, didnt find pushing that hard or on going, but no basis for comparison) but before 35 weeks and certainly in the first trimester ius a big no no ! as it could cause / bring on a misscarrage)
i drank alot of ovaltine during my pregnancy, i also ruled out tea and coffee completely as aside form the caffine, it contains something that can decrease the elasticity of the bladder which can increase your risk of a UTI. and i am already slightly prone to them
if you buy herbal teas check the labels you'd be suprised how many ingredients are in them. however i was told that fruit tea is completely safe as all that is in it is fruit, though i didnt really bother to look into fruit teas in the end , im guessing that holland and barrat would stock something along that line

 

[Natnee]

Well I have been drinking decaf coffee, but not very much, only ever so often. But have about 3 cups of tea a day. I have been having fruit teas thinking they are alright, but just checked the packet (variety pack of 5 different sorts) and they all have hibiscus in

 

[ktp]

I was wondering this as well! Good thread!
I have just bought some decaff tea and I am hoping that this will be ok as a substitute to my morning cuppa! Any advice welcome!

 

[Tink1o5]

ovaltine says it is! https://www.ovaltine.co.uk/mygoodness

handy since i love ovaltine

they have a competition each month too

What about in the U.S???

 

[firsttimer83]

Hey guys!

My doctor recommended drinking decaffeinated tea and coffee. Also Fennel tea is meant to be really good for you through pregnancy

 

[Capsicum]

Thanks for your feedback everyone.

I'm gagging for a cup of tea right now. I have some rooiboos in the cupboard though, so think I'll get the kettle on

 

[sabriena]

Good thread. I used to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning but cut way back and barely have it while I was TTC. Now that I'm pregnant I haven't had any but a sip of DH Starbucks the other day.

Anyway, I was actually wondering this for when the colder days come in, which will be soon, something to warm me up. I figured warm water with tea or bouillon would've been it haha.

 

[jenn2282]

i used to have 3-4 cups a tea a day now down to one in the am, will be trying(once i go shopping) to wean even further. with one reg on day and one decaff the other day till i can fully get off it.I tried cold turkey once and it wasn't pretty.

 

[BBonBoard]

I have also heard that decaffinated coffee is NOT good for you because during the process to decaffinate it they use phermaldihyde. So I have gone completely off caffiene. Just drinking Apple Cinder, and lots of water, and sometimes I have a rootbeer or sprite.

 

[pinktaffy]

my dr recomended drinking decaffeinated tea and coffee, i also read it in a baby magazine so im just sticking to decaf stuff and cold drinks.

 

[555ann555]

Am I the only one who is still drinking coffee and diet coke?!

 

[MissRhead]

Ovaltine is great, especially if like me you dont like milk lol. Ive started to love it! xx

 

[urchin]

Oh gosh thanks for this thread!
I am a fruit tea addict and I've just looked at the packets and every single one contains hibiscus Lucky I read this

My other addiction is camomile, honey and vanilla tea - I thought camomile was fine....does anyone know the problem with it??

 

[pinktaffy]

Am I the only one who is still drinking coffee and diet coke?!

im sure your not but try decaffeinated coffee and u can get decaffeinated coke aswell. i read the odd bits of caffine r fine though wich is good as i love my chocolate hehe