Pregnancy

Can You Drink Breakfast Essentials While Pregnant?

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Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post. At no cost to you, I get commissions for purchases made through these links.

During pregnancy, moms-to-be must intake adequate nutrients to take care of their bodies as well as for the health of the baby.

We know you want to be healthy during this imperative period, yet wild cravings, food aversions, and morning sickness rarely let you do that easily.

That’s why many have sought the help of Breakfast Essentials since they come in various delicious flavors and contain good nutrients.

So, can you drink breakfast essentials while pregnant? Actually, yes. They’re safe for moms-to-be to drink, but you need to check the sugar content on the packaging or bottle before using them.

Why is that? Keep reading the below sections to figure out the reasons!

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Is Breakfast Essentials Good for Pregnancy?

This protein source is safe as consumed in moderation.

Carnation Breakfast Essentials are drinks commonly used as a protein and nutritional supplement but not meal replacements.

These Breakfast Essentials drinks contain no gluten. Although the chocolate-flavored drinks add caffeine, the amount is small (no more than 5 mg a serving). The nutritional information in each product may slightly vary, depending on the variety’s flavor.

Yet, all Carnation breakfast essentials contain 20% plus of everyday protein and vitamin needs. It provides 21 necessary minerals and vitamins, including vitamin B12, zinc, iron, calcium, and vitamin D.

Breastfeeding and pregnant women usually have increased needs for protein, vitamin A, B, C, magnesium, zinc, and iron. Thus, they can benefit from these Breakfast Essentials products.

nutrition facts between Breakfast Essentials Original and High Protein
Nutrition facts: Carnation Breakfast Essentials Original vs High Protein

Are There Any Risks of Drinking Breakfast Essentials While Pregnant?

That’s said, it’s OK sometimes to drink Carnation breakfast shakes but not to let it turn into a habit without your doctor’s recommendation.

The issue will arise when you take them as meal replacements, avoid eating other foods, and lose weight. Remember that nutrition shakes should only be a snack, and you should only use them at times.

If you’re nervous about weight gain and seeking help managing it, it’s advisable to consult your healthcare expert.

He/she’ll show you a guide to healthy dieting and help you set out an effective, safe exercise program. Plus, it’s critical to pay attention to is that many products on the market may contain harmful elements.

Clean Label Project found that out of more than 130 protein powders, many contained pesticides, bisphenol-A (or BPA – used to produce plastic), heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead), and other contaminants.

Moreover, protein shakes might be overly high in caffeine and sugars, posing harm to your baby and yourself.

Some may also contain added minerals and vitamins already present in your everyday prenatal vitamins, implying that you’ll get more than your body needs.

Thus, be mindful to choose quality products with less sugar and zero artificial sweeteners.

Still, after consulting health experts, many women can use Carnation breakfast powder since they don’t experience weight gain or plain milk cause them to feel nauseous during the early trimester.

In a word, you should reach out to your doctor before taking any protein supplement product and make an informed decision.

Nutritional Needs During Pregnancy

Nutritional Needs During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body’s requirements for nutrients will increase.

A daily healthy diet should strike a beautiful balance between maintaining good weight gain and consuming enough nutrients and minerals to stimulate the baby’s growth during pregnancy.

You’ll consume what you normally have before pregnancy in the first trimester.

Then, you have to raise your calorie consumption by about 350 and 450 calories in the second and third stages, respectively. These figures will increase if you are carrying multiples.

Here’s a summary of nutrients that moms-to-be have to intake a day:

  • Folate: 600 to 800 micrograms
  • Protein: 70 to 100g (increasing every trimester)
  • Calcium: 1200 mg
  • Iron: 27 mg

1. Iron

Everyday iron intake of around 27 mg will help promote the body’s blood flow, ascertaining that your baby and you can get enough oxygen.

Some suggested iron sources are:

  • Beans, like chickpeas or kidney beans
  • Dried apricots
  • Nuts
  • Red meat
  • Eggs
  • Citrus fruits (these fruits are plentiful in vitamin C, helping increase iron absorption.)
  • Poultry and lean beef
  • Leafy vegetables (spinach, for example)

2. Calcium

This element plays a vital role in strengthening bones and regulating the body’s fluids use. We recommend taking prenatal vitamins to get extra calcium supplements.

Some suggested calcium sources are:

  • Milk
  • Low-mercury seafood, like catfish, salmon, and shrimp
  • Avocados
  • Butternut squash
  • Artichokes
  • Leafy vegetables
  • Yogurt
  • Cheese

3. Protein

Protein is crucial for increasing blood supply providing your baby with more blood. It’s also critical to developing your infant’s organs, tissues, and brain.

Your everyday protein consumption should be up to your weight and which trimester you are in.

We recommend meeting an experienced nutritionist to ask about what form of protein and how much you should take daily.

Some suggested protein sources are:

  • Beans
  • Cottage cheese
  • Nuts
  • Poultry
  • Milk or dairy products
  • Seafood or fish
  • Lean meats (beef and pork, for example)

4. Folate

Folate, or folic acid, is one of the B-vitamins (B9) that significantly minimize many congenital anomalies affecting your baby’s spinal cord and brain.

Moms-to-be should consume folic acid of 400 micrograms three months or more after being pregnant and before conception.

Some suggested folic acid sources are:

  • Eggs
  • Nuts
  • Liver
  • Enriched grains
  • Leafy vegetables
  • Legumes
nutrition facts of Breakfast Essentials Original Nutritional Powder Drink Mix
How much powder to consume will depend on each pregnant woman’s condition.

FAQ

We have collected some commonly asked questions about Carnation Breakfast Essentials drinks by moms-to-be or those planning to be pregnant.

How Many Breakfast Essentials Can Pregnant Women Drink A Day?

You can increase your protein intake if you want to or crave it. Typically, a mom-to-be will need 60-100 grams of protein per day, depending on which stage she’s in, her physical level, and weight.

Still, the safest and most recommended method to satisfy your nutrient requirement is to eat various healthy, nutrient-rich foods.

If you think you’re short on some elements, the best idea is to meet your doctor before using any breakfast powders or shakes.

Can You Mix Breakfast Essentials Powder With Water Instead Of Milk?

It’s OK to use only water, but you can thicken the smoothie by adding almond milk.

The key here is to use an unsweetened ingredient (you can make it at home, provided no added sugars) to maintain a low sugar count and ensure a healthy breakfast.

Our favorite option is almond milk that has added vanilla. If you’ve got plain milk at home, it’s possible to mix a bit of vanilla with the powder.

Oat milk is also our go-to dairy product. Consider adding it if you crave a slight oat-y aftertaste.

Can You Have It At Night?

Because early morning is the ideal time for workouts, a post-workout breakfast shake is a perfect start and pretty common among health-conscious Americans.

However, did you know that such a convenient meal can also be a fantastic pre-sleep beverage?

While it does a great job building muscles, it can bring extra advantages as consumed before bedtime.

Having a breakfast shake at night can promote muscle mass, boost weight loss, improve sleep quality, and enhance energy.

Conclusion

Instant Breakfast Essentials won’t hurt you. Instead, it can provide essential nutrients to your body. Yet, it induces excessive nutrients or contains harmful contaminants.

You always want to save the best things on Earth for your little love. Why not start with picking quality foods for the baby’s development, alright?

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