Tips for drinking tea during pregnancy that is safe for mother and fetus

Nutrition for pregnant women and the fetus is obtained from food or drinks. So, when pregnant, whatever is consumed must really be considered. One of them is if pregnant women have the habit of drinking tea. The content of tea does provide many benefits to the body. However, during pregnancy there are several things that need to be considered. Don't worry, pregnant women can still enjoy the pleasure of tea by following the following guidelines for drinking tea during pregnancy.

Guide to safe drinking tea while pregnant

Tea can be a substitute for coffee because of its stimulant caffeine. Tea contains polyphenols which are antioxidants to protect the heart, prevent cancer, and increase endurance. In addition, tea can also relieve symptoms of morning sickness that often occurs in pregnant women.

The caffeine content in tea is lighter than coffee, so it is considered safer for pregnant women. However, that does not mean that pregnant women can drink tea at will. There are several things that need to be considered, for example the choice of the type of tea, how much tea can be drunk, how the tea is served. Following are guidelines for drinking tea during pregnancy so as not to interfere with your health and the fetus

1. Choice of types of tea

There are two types of tea that you can consume, namely non-herbal teas and herbal teas. Non-herbal teas consist of various teas that you may have tried, such as green tea, black tea, oolong tea, or white tea. Meanwhile, herbal teas are not made from the tea plant. This tea is made from steeping roots, flowers, seeds or other plants that have antioxidant properties.

The difference between herbal teas and non-herbal teas is the caffeine content. Non-herbal teas have varied caffeine content, while herbal teas do not contain caffeine.

You can enjoy herbal teas from ginger, peppermint leaves, raspberries, ginseng roots, or from dried fruits or other spices.

2. How much tea can be drunk

Reported by Parents, most experts at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that the maximum caffeine intake is 200 milligrams per day. Fortunately, tea contains less caffeine than coffee, so you can enjoy it more.

The amount of caffeine in a cup of tea varies. This depends on the type of tea plant used, how long it takes to oxidize the tea, and the size of the tea leaves. In a 230 ml cup or container, green tea contains 30 to 50 mg of caffeine and black tea contains 25 to 110 mg of caffeine.

3. How to serve

Tea is often added with sugar to make it taste sweeter and more delicious. Unfortunately, sugar only contains calories without other nutrients. In addition, sugar also contains a high enough glycemic index that can increase blood sugar levels quickly.

For pregnant women with gestational diabetes or at risk of this condition, you must pay close attention to the sugar content in the food and drinks you consume. Check with a doctor to manage and treat disease.

To control your weight during pregnancy, your doctor may recommend cutting back on sugary foods or drinks, including sweetened teas. So, it's okay to drink sweet tea, but not too often. Or you can replace sugar with honey or use no sugar at all if you want to enjoy tea.

You can enjoy the tea with warm water or iced. To reduce nausea, served cold is preferable. Also pay attention to the length of time you steeped the tea leaves or dipped the tea bag. The longer it is steeped or steeped, the more caffeine in the tea is mixed with the water.