Caffeine . . . for the Most Part
Is Caffeine Consumption Safe During Pregnancy?
Most expert recommendations have allowed up to 300 mg of caffeine a day for pregnant women. But a January 2008 study from the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research showed a strong link between caffeine consumption—whether from coffee, soda, tea, energy drinks, or hot chocolate—and miscarriage. The study followed women who did not change their caffeine intake during pregnancy. The women who consumed 200 mg of caffeine a day had double the risk of miscarrying than women who didn’t have any. And women who consumed less than 200 mg were 40 percent likely to miscarry than women who had no caffeine.
What does 200 mg look like? About 2 8-ounce cups of regular drip coffee or about 4 8-ounce cups of black-tea, or about two and a half Red Bulls. The risk seems to be from the caffeine itself, not other compounds in these drinks.
I realize that this is not only scary, but also a major bummer—especially during that first trimester when you scarcely have the energy to drag your carcass up a flight of stairs. But there are other means besides caffeine to feel energized. Here’s a short list:
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Take a walk. A brisk, 10-minute walk outside can give you Kelly Ripa perkiness. Okay, maybe not quite, but it can help clear the cobwebs.
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Do some energizing stretches. Reach your arms out to your sides and up over your head while you breathe deeply. Exhale as you slowly lower your arms. Deep inhalations through your nose, followed by slow exhalations out through your mouth, can help you feel more alert.
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Hydrate. Drink a glass of sparkling water with a spritz of lemon juice. Dehydration can also make you feel tired.
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Take a sniff. Naturopathic medicine and aromatherapy practitioners tout that scents can alter your mood. It may not work for you, but it’s worth a try. According to aromatherapy principles, a whiff of a citrus fruit or a fresh mint can help you feel more alert, so make sure to inhale the next time you peel an orange, and try adding some fresh mint to your salad or a pitcher of water.
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Eat a piece of fruit. The natural fruit sugars in fruits like bananas and apples can help lift energy levels.
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Grab a handful of walnuts. They won’t give you a jolt of energy, but walnuts contain biotin, which helps you metabolize energy from the food you eat.
