Safe Starbucks Drinks For Pregnant Women
If you’re pregnant and looking for a caffeine fix, Starbucks has plenty of options for you! While not all drinks are safe for pregnant women, there are still plenty of great and tasty options that you can choose from.
In this article, we’ll discuss the safety of Starbucks beverages for pregnant women and provide a list of safe drink options. We’ll also talk about what to look for when ordering in coffee shops and answer some frequently asked questions about drinking Starbucks drinks while pregnant.
So, if you’re feeling a bit lost in Starbucks’ vast menu, keep reading for some helpful tips and advice on what drinks are safe for pregnant women!
Table of Contents
- Caffeine Intake for Pregnant Women
- Tea
- Decaf and Half-Caf Coffee
- Iced Coconut Milk
- Almond Milk Honey Flat White
- Refreshers
- Lattes
- Frappuccinos
- Cappuccinos
- In Conclusion
Caffeine Intake for Pregnant Women
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests limiting the intake of caffeine to 200 mg per day during pregnancy. This is the guideline that is generally followed, and it’s important to be aware of this when consuming drinks that contain caffeine.
Fortunately, all the drinks discussed in this article are well below the 200 mg mark, so if there are times where you want some caffeine, you can still enjoy these drinks without worrying.
Tea
Tea can be a better choice than coffee while pregnant, as it can help with morning sickness and vomiting, as well as aid digestion. Plus, tea is low in calories.
When it comes to caffeine, it is lower in tea than coffee. However, pregnant women should avoid herbal and hibiscus tea. A maximum of one cup of green tea per day is recommended, while ginger tea can be particularly beneficial for morning sickness and nausea. Additionally, peppermint tea can help with digestion.
A great and delicious choice for pregnant women is the chai latte, which is a fan favorite. This drink is a mix of black tea, spices, and steamed milk.
Decaf and Half-Caf Coffee
Starbucks offers many decaf coffee drinks, which contain about 15 mg of caffeine. Decaf coffee tastes like regular coffee, but without the caffeine, so you can enjoy a decaf coffee without worrying about the health of you or your baby.
If you’re looking for something with a little less caffeine, you can opt for a half-caf drink. These drinks contain half the amount of caffeine as regular coffee, and are a mix of decaf and regular coffee. You’ll still get the same great taste of regular coffee, with less of the caffeine.
Iced Coconut Milk
If you’re looking for an alternative to coffee, the iced coconut milk from Starbucks is a great option. You can choose from a variety of flavors, such as golden ginger and pineapple matcha. The guava passion fruit is caffeine-free, while the pineapple matcha is the only flavor that contains any caffeine. You can still get a Venti size drink of the caffeine-free flavors, and it’s a great way to stay away from coffee altogether.
Almond Milk Honey Flat White
The Almond Milk Honey Flat White drink from Starbucks is a delicious and healthy option for pregnant women. This drink is made with steamed whole milk and two shots of ristretto. The tallest size has 130 mg of caffeine, which is well within the safe limits for pregnant women – leaving enough of your daily allowance of caffeine.
Refreshers
The Starbucks Refreshers are a great way to satisfy a caffeine craving while pregnant. The tall Refresher contains around 35 mg of caffeine, which is well below the recommend maximum of 200 mg per day.
One of the most popular Refreshers is the Strawberry Acai Refresher, which is a pink, fruity drink. Pregnant women can enjoy this drink, as it is made with ice, a fruity base, and freeze-dried fruit. The juices used are pasteurized, meaning they are safe to consume while pregnant.
Lattes
Pregnant women can have lattes, as Starbucks has a variety of iced latte flavors such as blonde vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon dolce. All Starbucks lattes are safe to drink, so you can indulge without worrying.
The caramel brulee latte is a particularly popular choice, and can be enjoyed hot. However, it is worth noting that the grande size contains 150mg of caffeine, as well as 410 calories.
Frappuccinos
Frappuccinos are a creamy and great ice-blended drink. You can customize them according to the flavor you like, with options such as white chocolate, peppermint, etc. All Frappuccinos have less than 200mg of caffeine, although they are relatively high in calories. For example, the venti size caramel frappuccino blended beverage contains 380 calories.
Cappuccinos
Cappuccinos are also a safe choice for pregnant women, as they have less than 200mg of caffeine. The grande cappuccino with 2% milk contains 150mg of caffeine, as well as 140 calories.
Plus, cappuccinos can be customized with sweeteners, syrups, sauces, and toppings, so you can make your favorite drink.
In Conclusion
For pregnant women who still crave the occasional Starbucks drink, there are plenty of safe options that you can order. From low-caffeine beverages to food items that have been cooled thoroughly, you can enjoy your favorite Starbucks drinks without worrying about risking your health or your baby’s health.
Overall, regular lattes, cappuccinos, and brewed teas are the lowest in caffeine. If you’re looking to keep your drink sweet, stick with one or two pumps of syrup or sweetener.
Just remember to stick with small-sized drinks, and to avoid any ingredients that you think may be potentially harmful. That way, you can ensure that you and your baby can enjoy your Starbucks drinks safely!