Why 'Non-Alcoholic' Doesn't Always Mean Safe During Pregnancy

The non-alcoholic adult beverage market is booming and for many good reasons. But if you're pregnant and planning to switch to non-alcoholic alternatives during pregnancy, you might want to think again.

Many non-alcoholic alternative products contain medicinal herbs (like ashwagandha root, lemon balm, and peppermint) that are contraindicated (not recommended) during pregnancy. As with any new market, regulations are not yet buttoned up and some brands are placing disclaimers on their packaging, but many are not. 

With off-the-shelf non-alcoholic alternative products trending, it's important to be mindful of the ingredients and proceed with caution before consumption. Here are a few examples of non-alcoholic options that should probably be avoided during early pregnancy. Again, when in doubt, check the ingredients and consult your healthcare practitioner. Many unsafe items will have a warning; be on the lookout as these warnings are often printed in very small font.

Kin Bloom Nightcap Non-Alcoholic Botanical Elixir "The Dream Maker"

Ingredients: Purified water, Canadian maple syrup, botanical extracts of (mosaic hops, lemon balm, turmeric root, ashwagandha root, vanilla orchid, valerian root, licorice root, ginger, black pepper, Sichuan pepper, habanero pepper), natural flavors, lactic acid, tannin infusion, potassium sorbate (for freshness). Contains licorice.

 De Soi Très Rosé

Ingredients: Water, Pear-Grapefruit-Raspberry and Lychee juice blend from concentrate, Red Wine Vinegar, Natural Flavors, Lactic Acid, Chamomile Extract, Grapefruit Extract, L-Theanine, Citric Acid, Oak Extract, Lion's Mane Extract, Reishi Mushroom Extract, Rooibos Extract, Ginger Extract, Cardamom Extract, Rose Extract.

 Safe Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Here are a few of my favorite non-alcoholic options that are safe during pregnancy.

Ritual Non-Alcoholic Tequila Alternative

This tequila alternative doesn't contain any contraindicated herbs, and it's great for a refreshing beverage. Check out their website for a pregnancy-safe margarita recipe!

Ingredients: filtered water, natural flavors, cane sugar, citric acid, xanthan gum, salt, caramel color, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate as preservatives.

 Lyre's Bourbon Alternative

If you are in the mood for an Old Fashioned during pregnancy, skip the NA bitters and opt for NA bourbon on the rocks or with Coke instead.

Ingredients: water, glucose syrup, sugar, natural flavoring, acidity regulator (phosphoric acid), preservative: potassium sorbate, stabilizer: cellulose gum (E466), steviol glycosides.

Free Spirits Non-Alcoholic Gin Alternative

This is a great base that works well as a substitute for most recipes and works great as a gin and juice, too! If you are craving a gin and tonic, check with your healthcare practitioner prior to consumption, as tonic water isn't always recommended during pregnancy either.

Reminder: Don't forget these tips when you are out at bars as well! As the non-alcoholic movement continues to pick up speed, many of these products are now available at bars and restaurants. Be sure to check the ingredients, and when in doubt, skip the herbal mocktails, such as a ginger mule or sage shrub. 

And please don't let this scare you away from the zero-proof movement! These brands and their products are truly amazing. It's really a wonderful thing that so many non-alcoholic options are available and that many bars and restaurants offer extensive NA menus.