When we’re pregnant for the first time, I’m sure a lot of questions on what to eat or drink come to mind. One of the most common questions is, “can I drink cold drinks during pregnancy?”
I know a lot of people have mentioned that pregnant women should refrain from consuming both cold food and drinks. Even I believed it at first, so I just stuck to drinking hot or lukewarm water, but I decided to delve into my research on it. What I found surprised me!
So if you’re wondering if drinking cold water in pregnancy is a bad thing or not, read on!
The Pregnancy Myth: Cold Drinks
In Asian cultures, they think the womb is an incubator for your little one, associating nourishment with warmth.
You’ve probably heard of people advising you to STOP consuming anything cold during pregnancy. However, it’s a known myth, not a scientific or proven fact. But where did this pregnancy myth come from?
To be exact, old pregnancy myths and TCM states that pregnant women need to avoid all cold food and drinks throughout their pregnancy, especially throughout the first term.
In Asian cultures, they think the womb is an incubator for your little one, associating nourishment with warmth. This can be why they presume having cold drinks and food during your first term can “shock” your womb during the delicate period of your fetus’ development.
To be exact, old pregnancy myths and TCM states that pregnant women need to avoid all cold food and drinks throughout their pregnancy, especially throughout the first term. Elders would warn of the following risks:
•The cold can shock the system
•Cold drinks or food make bodies weaker
•Babies may get asthma if you eat or drink cold stuff
It’s the reason why you might not find a lot of Asians who follow TCM drinking anything cold!
Furthermore, it says that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, consuming cold drinks is bad regardless of whether you’re pregnant or not. TCM sees cold drinks as detrimental to our digestive system, slowing down its functions, which causes sore joints, fatigue, and bloating. It’s the reason why you might not find a lot of Asians who follow TCM drinking anything cold!
BUT, asthmatics may be sensitive to both cold food and/or drinks. This can trigger an attack at home, which is detrimental for the mom and baby.
Some people also think that those who consume cold drinks may potentially give their baby asthma. However, that’s not the case and the condition depends on genetics and your environment, not what you consume during pregnancy.
BUT, asthmatics may be sensitive to both cold food and/or drinks. This can trigger an attack at home, which is detrimental for the mom and baby. That may be the reason the pregnancy myth came along in terms of asthma.
Can I Drink Cold Drinks During Pregnancy?
With that said, you won’t need to worry about miscarriage, slow fetal development, or anything the TCM diet may claim.
I don’t think that you should believe in pregnancy myths like this. It’s got many people asking, “is drinking cold water bad for pregnancy?” But in fact, it isn’t bad at all and depends on what you feel like consuming. This goes especially for women living in hot climates and needs to cool down!
However, you won’t miss anything or risk your health if you choose to stop drinking cold water for the sake of the pregnancy. It won’t make any difference, but if you choose to drink cold water or not, that’s entirely up to you. Neither have any huge advantages or disadvantages over the other nor will you need to quit eating ice cream or other cold foods.
If you’re still unsure or suffer from asthma, you may want to talk with your doctor to find out if you can have cold drinks or stick to warm or lukewarm ones for awhile.
With that said, you won’t need to worry about miscarriage, slow fetal development, or anything the TCM diet may claim. No evidence proves how cold water is associated with it.
So, is it safe to drink cold water during pregnancy? For me, it’s totally fine as long as you don’t feel uncomfortable symptoms from it! If you’re still unsure or suffer from asthma, you may want to talk with your doctor to find out if you can have cold drinks or stick to warm or lukewarm ones for awhile.
Tips on What to Drink and Staying Hydrated
If you’re still wondering, “Can I drink cold drinks during pregnancy?” You can! You just have to still make sure that you avoid too many cold things, since it can cause a sore throat or tummy ache in the long run.
With that said, I’ll also talk more about how you can stay hydrated and what you should drink, whether you choose to consume cold or hot drinks. Follow these helpful tips:
•Sometimes, drinking too-cold or too-hot water can shock your body in a way that it triggers nausea or morning sickness. Make sure that you keep your drinks only cool (about 50 degrees F) or warm (around 99 degrees F) to prevent brain freezes or tongue burns, too!
•I highly recommend that you focus on getting at least eight cups of water a day, whether cold, warm, or lukewarm. It keeps your body hydrated and help with you and your baby’s overall health.
• Take a few sips of water about ten minutes before sleeping, as your body becomes slightly dehydrated after eight hours of sleep without water. Also, never wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Instead, drink throughout the day.
• Do NOT drink any sugary juices or sodas made from refined sugars! I recommend that you go for water or milk throughout, with just a bit of coffee and tea. You can have fruit juices, provided that you know they’re made without refined sugars. Making them fresh is best!
• Another way to stay hydrated is through consuming hydrating foods, such as fruits and vegetables. I love fruit and vegetable smoothies, which hydrate me and nourish my body as needed for both my growing child and me.
Wrapping It Up
Is drinking cold water good for pregnancy? While some people state you can’t have cold drinks while pregnant, that’s not true. As long as it doesn’t trigger morning sickness or upset stomachs, then you can feel free to drink it. Just avoid any other liquids that aren’t water such as sugary sodas and alcohol.
I hope my article answered your question, “can I drink cold drinks during pregnancy?” Now that you know the answer to that, start learning more about the do’s and don’ts of pregnancy now.
If you have any questions or want to share your ideas on drinking cold water when pregnant, then comment below. Your thoughts are much appreciated!
