Wine/Beer/Coffee Alternatives

caribbeanmama-2

Uhm, since we are supposed to be limiting or eliminating our consumption of said products during this time, please share your preferred substitutes and alternatives for your drink fix.    Tell us if you are cutting anything out completely.  And if just limiting, do share how many beverages per week you consume or if you are just waiting for second trimester.

scifichick09

I love coffee, but mostly for the taste and not the caffeine. So I have just replaced my morning coffee with Foldgers Decaf Simply Smooth (it's easy on the tummy!) and I always get decaf if I happen to crave a frappe from Starbucks

caribbeanmama-2

Tonic water and lots of limes seems to do the trick when craving a beer on a hot day.  It's not the same though...  Last time I limited myself to a glass of wine a week.  I'm trying to go down to zero this time.

I already reduced coffee intake down to 10oz in the morning with a shot of espresso due to the nursling.  It's my own little indulgence/pure joy.  Last time I was forced to give it up because I developed an aversion around 8 weeks which is just CRAZY because I LOVE COFFEE.
 

Xstatic3333

I'm having one coffee a morning. Other than that it's lots of water. My favorite treat is coconut water, and I'll have an occasional Nantucket Nectars or ginger beer for a sweet treat. 

fourPsinapod

I was mildly addicted to diet mt few before getting pregnant. I bought Sprite to substitute the bubbly taste. Now any type of carbonation makes me ill. I'm sticking with just water

varimama

I've replaced my diet pepsi addiction with things like Fresca, Root beer, and sprite though I've greatly reduced my consumption of it from at least 1 a day to maybe 1-2 a week. 

I've replaced wine with cranberry juice that I pour in a wine glass  

For other alcohol replacements I've found that I enjoy flavored lemonades like raspberry or blackberry.

Really I'm just trying to drink more water and I'm using crystal light liquid mixes to make water more appealing to me. I've never really liked water. It also has helped me to get a big 32oz nalgene bottle that I make sure I drink at least 2 of a day.

tclayton53

I've switched to 1/2 caff in the morning for my coffee. 

I've been drinking sparkling water at night in a wine glass with a drop of bitters - it's not nearly the same but seems to tide me over.

Last pregnancy I would do a taster size glass of low alcohol beer or a small glass of red wine about 1x a week near the mid/end of the 2nd trimester. My doctor actually recommends a small amount of red wine - especially in the 3rd trimester. Apparently it helps with blood pressure, etc.

birdiejo

I was doing decaf coffee in the morning but haven't even been interested this week. la croix is a good one, they have a bunch of different flavors and it feels more exciting to drink than water. 

blush64

I was not a big drinker but I do not drink alcohol at all while pregnant. I didn't drink coffee or tea so that's easy. I did like pop but I haven't really wanted any, even those without caffeine. 

I am drinking a lot of water, lemon water amd cranberry juice. 

Edit 

BumpasaurusRex

I still have one cup of coffee in the mornings but have been drinking lots of water with lemon.

I've also made myself a 'mocktail' - ginger ale, cranberry juice, and a lime wedge.  It really hits the spot on a hot day.

chocaccino

I'm not really a coffee drinker and I'm cutting alcohol completely.

BrittRN+

I've cut out coffee in the first tri, I may have a cup a few times a week as I get further along. No alcohol for me during pregnancy. I've been drinking more sparkling waters, flavored iced teas and lemonade. 

MrsDramaK

Mostly I just drink lots of water, but this weekend, I'm hanging out with my siblings and they don't know yet, so to keep it a secret for them I'm making fruit puree's and champagne and they just won't know mine are virgin's  

FishyMom

I gave it all up the first time, no alcohol or caffeine.   I plan on asking this time about the caffeine, I am having a hard time without my coffee. 

CallMeLauraJane

I drink a Bargs in the morning for my caffeine kick and soda crave. I've already experienced aversion to coffee and coffee smell so DH is going to have a hell of a time since he's obsessed.

Once I hit viability week or so I will add in my glass of red a week. Last pregnancy it was always my best night of sleep for the week. 

I can't quit you caffeine.

MonaLisaRalphio

I usually drink a coffee in the morning and a couple of craft beers a few days a week. I actually gave up my morning coffee the week before I got my BFP - it's too hot for it this time of year, and I don't ever feel like I need it, especially when it's already so bright outside when I get up around 6am. I had a tiny unsweetened iced tea today, which is barely any caffeine, and I might allow myself the occasional cup of coffee when I'm really wishing for it or on a cold, dark morning in the fall. Or if I'm feeling hella stopped up. But my beloved craft beer. I miss it so. I intend to allow myself one or two beautiful beers a week after the first tri, but I am totally open to the possibility of changing my mind about this when the time comes. 

tanyaje00

I don't drink much alcohol or pop in the first place, so I haven't had much trouble cutting them out completely. I love my coffee, but have decided to switch to just herbal tea this pregnancy, which has been nice for my heartburn and queasiness. I am disappointed that I won't be able to join in much for a bachelorette party I'm attending next month Designated driver I will be!

Xstatic3333

MonaLisaRalphio said:

I usually drink a coffee in the morning and a couple of craft beers a few days a week. I actually gave up my morning coffee the week before I got my BFP - it's too hot for it this time of year, and I don't ever feel like I need it, especially when it's already so bright outside when I get up around 6am. I had a tiny unsweetened iced tea today, which is barely any caffeine, and I might allow myself the occasional cup of coffee when I'm really wishing for it or on a cold, dark morning in the fall. Or if I'm feeling hella stopped up. But my beloved craft beer. I miss it so. I intend to allow myself one or two beautiful beers a week after the first tri, but I am totally open to the possibility of changing my mind about this when the time comes. 

Me. Too. It sounds weird to say, but beer is a big deal to H and I. We have a bottle of Cantillon we brought back from Belgium waiting in the basement to enjoy once I pop. I do plan to enjoy occasional shot glasses-full in second tri, and I have had minuscule sips when H is trying something new already. Like, barely enough to get the taste. 

scottipino

Not a caffeine drinker, but missing my wine.  I have been drinking virgin mojitos.  The mint is great and they are filling my craving.

caribbeanmama-2

scottipino said:

Not a caffeine drinker, but missing my wine.  I have been drinking virgin mojitos.  The mint is great and they are filling my craving.

Good call on the mint!  I planted some in the garden this year - note to self must make virgin mojitos....

poofwok

I'm laying off alcohol completely.

I have one small coffee in the morning. I used to drink 1-2 large coffees a day. Sometimes I won't even have one if I wake up nauseous. 

ohstars

I had a 2-red bull a day habit pre-pregnancy. It was hard to kick after my BFP but I'm finally done missing it. 

Ive been drinking some full calorie sodas but not really enjoying it. I love all the juice and mocktail ideas here. I'll definitely be getting some supplies this weekend. No alcohol for me during pregnancy. 

MonaLisaRalphio

@Xstatic3333 I've had a Bon Chienn sitting in my fridge for a few weeks. Just never had a good opportunity to crack it open. Now it's sitting there tormenting me. 

We have this wonderful new brewery in town. The head brewer did apprenticeships at Cantillon, Hill Farmstead, and the Alchemist before opening up a killer new spot here. I was there on Saturday with my husband and BIL, and I had to sit there and fake-sip this beautiful IPA and then let my husband take big gulps of it when my BIL wasn't looking. It about tore my heart in two. 

catiecatp

I won't be drinking alcohol - I normally don't anyway except maybe a glass with dinner every 6-8 months. It isn't a hardship for me, so it doesn't make sense to add it in now that I'm pregnant. I drink more when visiting my mom - therefore SIL expects that I would have some wine with her tomorrow - so I'll be perusing the list of ideas over in this weeks FFFC thread

In terms of coffee - I'll only drink it if I need it to keep awake while driving, which is also my normal state of affairs - and even then I will just sip a shot of espresso to tide me over. I do drink teas and hot chocolate - lower caffeine overall.

In terms of teas - I'm not going crazy checking the ingredients - I'll just rotate amongst the various flavours so my dosage of any one thing will be low and not daily (likely not even weekly).

jbuck909

I've kicked caffeine completely--coffee and soda. I try to substitute with Sierra Mist because that helps settle my nausea a bit, but when I want Dutch Bros, I get decaf and it usually is pretty good. I think I'm staying away from alcohol this time; I only had a glass or two of wine in the 3rd tri. 

Xstatic3333

MonaLisaRalphio said:

@Xstatic3333 I've had a Bon Chienn sitting in my fridge for a few weeks. Just never had a good opportunity to crack it open. Now it's sitting there tormenting me. 

We have this wonderful new brewery in town. The head brewer did apprenticeships at Cantillon, Hill Farmstead, and the Alchemist before opening up a killer new spot here. I was there on Saturday with my husband and BIL, and I had to sit there and fake-sip this beautiful IPA and then let my husband take big gulps of it when my BIL wasn't looking. It about tore my heart in two. 

Oh my gosh @MonaLisaRalphio, you truly understand me! I meet so many people who say, "I love craft beer! Blue Moon is the best!" Not that there's anything wrong with that, but you understand me. I must ask, what is this amazing new brewery/place of pregnant lady torture of which you speak? I'll have to keep an eye out. 

L Jane

I don't drink alcohol, so that's a non issue. I am a big coffee drinker though. I've cut down to one k-cup in the morning. I usually have a second iced coffee in the afternoon...so I've had some headaches due to lack of caffeine. I'll survive

Mama.Anna

Ice cold Newman's Own Lemonade is my favorite thing to drink when I'm pregnant and orange juice.   I usually have one cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning and then if I want more I'll just stick to a cup of decaf.    

MonaLisaRalphio

@Xstatic3333 I'll PM you!!

pennylucille-2

I rarely drink alcohol normally, so that's not difficult for me to quit. I always had 1 cup of coffee a morning, and I quit that when we started TTC. I knew one cup was safe, but decided to switch over to decaf anyway, and now just have that occasionally. I haven't really found any fun replacements, just been trying to drink a lot of water. We just bought an awesome water cooler which is making that a lot easier. Before we had a brita pitcher in the fridge, and it was so annoying to fill up that I would find myself not drinking water even when I was thirsty because I didn't feel like filling the pitcher up, which is really bad. It's super nice to always have cold water ready.