Beware of Caffeine in Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, think twice before starting your day off with a cup of coffee or heading to Starbucks for an afternoon pick-me-up. New studies have now confirmed that pregnant women who consumed more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, (see below for the caffeine content of various foods/drinks) had twice the risk of miscarriage as the women who consumed no caffeine at all. During pregnancy, caffeine can inhibit blood flow to the placenta. The findings are published in the January issue of American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Caffeine content of beverages and food:
Coca Cola Classic — 34.5 mg (12-ounce can)
Diet Pepsi — 36 mg (12-ounce can)
Pepsi — 37.5 mg (12-ounce can)
Diet Coke — 46.5 mg (12-ounce can)
Mountain Dew — 54 mg (12-ounce can)
Diet Pepsi Max — 69 mg (12-ounce can)
Instant Coffee — 40-105 mg (150ml cup)
Filtered Coffee — 110-150 mg (150ml cup)
Tea — 20-100 mg (150 ml cup)
Starbucks Coffee, Grande — 500 mg (16-ounce cup)
Chocolate Cake — 20-30 mg (one slice)
Caffeine Pill — 50-200 mg (read label to determine exact dose)
Check this post for more info on caffeine
Bottom line, if you want to consume caffeine in pregnancy, check with your doctor first and heed the 200 mg maximum level of caffeine. Keep in mind that you don’t know how much caffeine is in the coffee served at your local cafe. I would recommend ordering decaf or 1/2 regular and 1/2 decaf.
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