A chai latte is a tasty beverage to have in almost any season, and many people love it’s taste, preferring it to coffee sometimes. But if this is one of your regulars at the coffee shop you may be wondering if it’s a tradition you can continue now that you’re pregnant.
Chai tea is made with ordinary black tea as well as extra spices that give it its unique flavor. This means that it will contain caffeine, which you shouldn’t be consuming while you’re pregnant. It might not be as strong as a cup of coffee, or a can of cola, and it’s herb-based, but it will still provide the same physiological responses, because caffeine is caffeine.
If you can manage to look past the caffeine, there is also the risk of having some of the herbs in chai effect you on a hormonal level. This is definitely not something you want to have happening to you when you’re trying to have a successful pregnancy. That’s why it’s best to hold off on your chai latte until you’re through breastfeeding.
Can I Have a Chai Latte While Pregnant? Answer: Not Recommended
Even though a chai latte is not high on the danger meter, it’s definitely not a good thing to be drinking while pregnant. Really all you need during this nine month span in regards to beverages is spring water. It’s the only thing that won’t further dehydrate you, and staying hydrated is one of your most important duties as a mother to be.
Opinions Are Just That
Getting advice from other moms on the matter, as is popular at many question and answer forums about pregancy, is just not a good idea. Just because a handful of other moms out there are condoning the use of caffeine, it doesn’t make it a good idea. Everyone has their own standards of how they’re treating their pregnancy, and how they want to start their baby off in life. Some won’t care altogether that much, and will say that they still drink their daily cup of coffee. Even the American Pregnancy Association says that 150 milligrams per day is OK, but this is after they say that caffeine should be avoided.
No Gray Areas
Just like there’s no gray area to being pregnant, you either are or you aren’t, there really isn’t any gray areas when it comes to what you can have. Something is either good or bad for your baby, and an organization like the APA to send a mixed message like that is just not right. Stop taking caffeine completely while you’re pregnant. It’s as simple as that. You’ll probably go through caffeine withdrawal for a day or two at the most, in which you have migraine-caliber headaches, but these will pass and then you won’t have to worry about it any more.
Pregnancy is already a stressful time, and caffeine will make your heart beat faster, causing more feeling of anxiety. And if it has this effect on you, it will have this effect on your baby as well, as it’s been shown that caffeine does make it through the placental wall, and absorbed by your baby. Make no mistakes, caffeine is a drug. Don’t take drugs while you’re pregnant.
Baby Comes First
Although you might not like the thought of having to give up some of the things you love while you’re pregnant, you have to put the best interests of your child first. You’ll be glad that you did when you are looking back at your successful pregnancy and delivery. You’ll know that you did everything in your power for a good outcome, and you won’t have the stress of wondering if you’ve put your child in jeopardy by sticking to your old lifestyle.
Use this time as a way to become closer to nature, and to bond with your baby. No matter what happens in their life, you’ll be able to look at them without feeling guilty about stunting their growth or starting them off on the wrong foot. You’ll have given them the best chance at a natural and healthy life, with good eating habits, and no lingering addictions from being in the womb.
