Lemonade is a sweetened lemon drink, either still and cloudy from fresh juice or clear and sparkling from a bottle. It is safe throughout pregnancy and contains no caffeine; sugar is the only thing to pace.
Why it's good in pregnancy
Sour, cold drinks are a well-known nausea remedy, and a glass of lemonade can be one of the few things that tempts you to drink enough in the first trimester. Freshly made lemonade brings some vitamin C and potassium from the juice, and a weak, lightly sweetened homemade batch gives you that lift with far less sugar than a bottled one.
Key nutrients
Vitamin CFresh lemon juice contributes vitamin C, which supports immunity and iron absorption; bottled lemonade has far less.
PotassiumThe juice of a lemon adds a small amount of potassium to each glass.
Serving ideas
Homemade still lemonade with crushed ice and mint
Sparkling water with fresh lemon and a teaspoon of sugar
Pink lemonade made with a few crushed raspberries
Diluted lemonade as a nausea-friendly sipper
A small glass of lemonade with a meal
Safety
Safe and caffeine-free; the sugar is the thing to keep an eye on.Homemade versions let you decide the sweetness; wash the lemons first.
Make lemonade at home from washed lemons, water and as little sugar as you can enjoy, and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Bottled lemonades range from 5 to 11 g of sugar per 100 ml, so a 500 ml bottle can hold as much as 12 teaspoons; sugar-free versions remove that but check the label for caffeine or herbal additions in 'energy' styles. Lemonade is acidic, so rinse your mouth with water afterwards to protect teeth that are already more vulnerable in pregnancy, and sip it slowly if heartburn is a problem. If you are managing gestational diabetes, treat a sugary lemonade like any other soft drink.
Common questions
Can I drink lemonade while pregnant?Yes, lemonade is safe and caffeine-free in pregnancy; the sugar in bottled versions is the only reason to keep it to a glass rather than a bottle.
Does lemonade help with morning sickness?Many people find sour, cold drinks settle their stomach, and sipping diluted lemonade is a gentle way to keep fluids up when nausea is bad.
Is sugar-free or diet lemonade OK during pregnancy?Yes, the sweeteners used in soft drinks are considered safe in pregnancy at normal intakes, though water and milk should still be the main drinks.
Did you know?
In the UK, 'lemonade' usually means a clear fizzy drink, while in the US it means the still, cloudy juice-based drink.
The sour taste of lemon stimulates saliva, which is part of why it eases a queasy stomach.
Scan any food. Know instantly.This page is one food — the Avo app has hundreds, plus a camera scanner.
