You’ve heard about the benefits of drinking lemon water, but you’re also pregnant, which is probably why you’re reading this article. While many foods and drinks are off-limits when you’re expecting, there are still some benefits to drinking lemon water. If you’re wondering whether or not it’s safe to drink lemon water while pregnant, good news: it is! There are a lot of great things that come from drinking lemon water while pregnant. Lemons contain vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system, reduce stress and anxiety, and even aid in the production of collagen (which we lose after getting pregnant). Lemon water is also a great way to get an additional serving of fruit without adding any additional calories.
How to Enjoy Lemons While Pregnant
To start, it’s important to note that while lemons are safe to eat, they are not safe to drink. Lemon juice is highly acidic, which could upset your stomach, make you nauseous, or increase heartburn during pregnancy. If you want to enjoy the benefits of lemons while you’re pregnant, you’ll want to consider lemon water. Lemon water is the process of squeezing the juice from a lemon into a cup of water. You can add a few drops of Stevia to make it a bit sweeter if you like. The process is just like making a cup of tea, but with lemons instead of tea bags! You can do this at any time of day, although it’s most commonly done in the morning as a way to jumpstart your day.
How Does Lemon Water Benefit Pregnancy?
The biggest benefit of lemon water is its large amount of vitamin C, which is something your body will require in increased amounts throughout pregnancy. You’ll likely need to take a vitamin C supplement when you’re pregnant, but lemon water is a great way to get some additional vitamin C without needing to take an additional supplement. Vitamin C is helpful for immune system health, skin health, and even energy levels. If you’re feeling more tired than usual, lemon water is a great way to boost your energy levels. Lemon water can also help to promote a healthy digestive system. Pregnant women are at a greater risk of having digestive issues like constipation, acid reflux, or heartburn, and lemon water can help to alleviate these symptoms. It’s also a great way to help promote healthy bowel movements while pregnant.
Is It Safe to Drink Lemon Water While Pregnant?
Lemon water can be enjoyed by pregnant women as long as it’s not consumed in excess. As with any food or beverage, too much of one thing can cause problems. While it’s best to avoid drinking lemon juice, a small amount of lemon water is okay and even beneficial. You’ll likely see that your doctor recommends that you increase your daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and lemon water is a great way to do so without adding additional calories. As with any type of beverage, you’ll want to be sure to add a bit of water to dilute the lemon water. You’ll also want to be careful about the amount of lemon juice you put in each cup of water, as too much lemon juice will be too acidic. It’s best to start with a small amount of lemon juice and work your way up as needed.
The downside of drinking lemon water while pregnant
The biggest thing to avoid with lemon water is drinking too much lemon juice. As with any food, too much of a good thing can cause issues. While small amounts of lemon juice are okay, drinking a large amount can cause heartburn and acid reflux, which are common during pregnancy. More importantly, drinking too much lemon juice can be dangerous for the baby. While vitamin C is important for fetal growth and development, too much can cause issues. It’s best to talk to your doctor about how much vitamin C you should be consuming daily. Finally, be sure to wash your hands before handling lemons, just like you would with any produce. It’s best to avoid any contact with the peel of lemons as it can be rough and could damage your skin.
Conclusion
There are a lot of great things that come from drinking lemon water while pregnant. Lemons contain vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system, reduce stress and anxiety, and even aid in the production of collagen (which we lose after getting pregnant). You can do the lemon water in the morning and anytime throughout the day. It’s best to avoid drinking lemon juice, but drinking a small amount of lemon water is okay and even beneficial. It’s also important to be sure to dilute the lemon water with water to avoid drinking too much lemon juice. With that in mind, lemon water is a great way to add an additional serving of fruit to your day without adding any additional calories. It’s best to start small with the amount of lemon juice you put into the water and work your way up as needed. With those tips, you can enjoy all the benefits of drinking lemon water while pregnant!