Coffee
Processed
Coffee is a brewed drink whose defining ingredient is caffeine, with small amounts of magnesium, potassium and antioxidants. It is one of the most common things people ask about in pregnancy, and the answer is moderation rather than avoidance.
Why it's good in pregnancy
A regular cup of coffee gives you a little magnesium and potassium and, for many people, a familiar routine that makes mornings easier. Keeping the caffeine within the recommended limit lets you keep that routine.
Key nutrients
Serving ideas
Safety
Caffeine crosses the placenta and your baby clears it slowly, so most guidelines cap caffeine at 200 mg a day in pregnancy — roughly one 12 oz (350 ml) cup of brewed coffee, or two small espressos. Count caffeine from tea, cola, energy drinks and chocolate towards the same limit. Large amounts have been linked to lower birth weight, and coffee can worsen heartburn and make iron harder to absorb when drunk with a meal.
Keep total caffeine under 200 mg a day — about one regular cup of brewed coffee.Remember tea, cola, energy drinks and chocolate count towards the same limit.Decaf is a simple swap once you have had your cup.Measure your cup rather than guessing: a large coffee-shop serving can hold two to three times the caffeine of a home mug. Drink coffee between meals rather than with them so it does not block iron absorption, and switch to decaf or a milky, smaller cup later in the day. If coffee makes heartburn or nausea worse, try a smaller, weaker cup or let it go for a while.