10 Reasons to load up on NA sips during your pregnancy journey

Congratulations! If this is your first time, then you are about to embark on the hardest, most rewarding and wonderful job of your life. But take a deep breath because you are about to get bombarded with advice from doctors, grandparents, parents, friends, co-workers and the cashier at your local supermarket, along with four million book, magazine article and podcast suggestions. The good news is you’ll eventually wade through all the noise and find your own way.

With all of that said, I’m going to add some advice that just might help you as soon-to-be parents. Here are ten reasons you should consider non-alcoholic drinks as you head into parenthood:

1. You’re in this together.

One of you is undoubtedly taking a long break from drinking alcohol during this pregnancy. Exploring non-alcoholic drinks is a lifestyle change you can both share and enjoy together. Which, put another way, is a nice way of saying – listen mate, if I’m going through this, then so are you.

2. No alcohol exposure for the baby.

This, of course, is the obvious one. But even with non-alcoholic drinks, there are questions that need to be answered, like… what ABV am I comfortable drinking and what is the difference between drinks labelled 0.0% and others identifying themselves as 0.5%?

To some, this may seem obvious, but it is easy to get tripped up. Alcohol-free or 0.0% drinks contain no alcohol, while drinks labelled “non-alcoholic” can technically contain up to 0.5% ABV.That can be alarming to folks who have been warned not to touch a drop of alcohol during pregnancy. Until, that is, you realise there can be similar trace levels of alcohol in breads, ripe bananas, sodas, juices and other everyday items. So, find your comfort level by seeking advice from your medical professional. Many pregnant TZP shoppers enjoy our “non-alcoholic” options – but if you want to play it safe,    you still have plenty of great 0.0% options you can enjoy.

3. You don’t have to say “no” to socialising.

There are many benefits to drinking non-alcoholic drinks, but one of the big ones is getting to enjoy social occasions the same way you always have. Everyday celebrations like dinner parties, weddings, holiday events and BBQs don’t need to feel different because you can’t drink.

4. Shutting down those questions.

Anyone who has taken a break from drinking alcohol knows you end up having to answer a whole bunch of unwanted questions. How come you aren’t drinking? What happened? Are you sure you don’t want just one? Believe me, having a glass of non-alcoholic wine or an NA beer in your hand shields you from the nosy, inquisitive ones when you’d rather keep things to yourself. Undoubtedly, there will come a point in the pregnancy when things become obvious, but until then, this can be your secret power.

5. Reducing temptation.

There will very likely be times when you REALLY want a drink to calm the nerves, reduce stress or just relax. If that has been a go-to in the past, it can be tempting to reward yourself. Having some favourite non-alcoholic substitutes at hand can help you get past these urges. I have found the “temptation” lasts about 10 seconds and then my mind moves on. Cracking open a tasty beverage without alcohol can easily become your reward.

6. Functioning with functionals.

Talking of calming the nerves and relaxing, there are a plethora of non-alcoholic drinks with functional ingredients marketed around relaxation, mood and wellbeing. However, there are so many ingredients out there that it can feel a little overwhelming. There is generally less concern around familiar food ingredients, electrolytes, ginger and many vitamins and minerals, although pregnancy can change what amounts are appropriate. Ones to investigate more closely include botanical extracts, adaptogens, nootropics, functional mushrooms and concentrated herbal ingredients. Drinks containing CBD or hemp-derived THC should be avoided during pregnancy, while ingredients such as kava and ashwagandha also warrant particular caution and discussion with a medical professional.

These drinks can be delicious, and many people enjoy them as part of a relaxing ritual, but—and this is a big BUT—do your research on the ingredients and always consult a medical professional if you are unsure.

7. Keeping your rituals.

Most of us enjoy a drink when we are looking to wind down for the day. For some of us, it’s a cold beer on the porch; for others, it’s a glass of wine while we’re making dinner; and others still like a fun cocktail to take their mind off the day and settle into the evening routine. Having non-alc substitutes means you don’t have to give up these rituals. Heck, you’ve had a long day! You deserve it!

8. Fresh mornings are worth their weight in gold.

If you have ever experienced being hungover with a newborn baby waking up in the middle of the night needing a diaper change, you will know the extraordinary level of self-inflicted hell you have put upon yourself. Most people only make this mistake once. Even if the baby doesn’t wake you, alcohol can disrupt a night’s sleep. With non-alcoholic drinks, you’ll avoid adding to that next-day fatigue.

9. Good habits can carry over.

There’s every chance you’ll go back to drinking alcohol after the pregnancy, but after nine-plus months you may find that non-alc drinks become so entwined in your daily and weekly routines that you decide to continue to incorporate them. That may mean continuing to abstain from alcohol altogether, a little bit of zebra-striping when you go out or just sticking to non-alcoholic drinks during the work week. Maybe the benefits of drinking these drinks will have a much longer-lasting effect than you imagine.

10. There’s never been a better time!

Gone are the days when being pregnant meant you were resigned to water or sugary sodas in place of the drinks you were used to. Now there are hundreds of brands out there producing fabulous alcohol-free and non-alcoholic drinks. These stretch across beer, wine, spirits and cocktails. Sure, it may take a little time to find the ones you really like, but have some fun with this together and then fill your fridge with the winners. 

So, there you have it. Plenty of good reasons for soon-to-be parents to consider non-alcoholic drinks as they graduate to full-blown parenting. There are so many things that change when you have a new person to look after in your life, but enjoying a quality, tasty beverage shouldn’t be one of them. After all there are going to be plenty of moments to celebrate in the coming year, you may as well enjoy what’s in your glass when you raise it.