Pregnant And Craving Root Beer? Is It Safe To Indulge?

Root beer is a popular drink for those looking to cut down on caffeine, and it's often a go-to for pregnant people. While it's generally safe to consume during pregnancy, there are a few things to keep in mind. Most notably, root beer contains high levels of sugar, which can lead to health issues such as gestational diabetes and excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Additionally, some root beers, like Barq's, do contain caffeine, which should be limited during pregnancy as it may increase risks to the foetus. It's important to always check the labels and consume in moderation.

Is Mug Root Beer caffeine-free?

Mug Root Beer is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by PepsiCo. It is caffeine-free, containing 0 mg of caffeine in a 12 fl oz can. This equates to 0.00 mg of caffeine per fl oz and per 100 ml.

Mug Root Beer is made with carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel colour, sodium benzoate (a preservative), citric acid, natural and artificial flavouring, calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavour), and quillaia extract. It does not contain any caffeine-containing ingredients, such as tea, coffee, or guarana.

While Mug Root Beer is caffeine-free, it is high in sugar, containing 43 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving. This amounts to a total of 160 calories per serving. Therefore, while pregnant women may choose to consume Mug Root Beer due to its lack of caffeine, it is important to moderate intake due to its high sugar content.

In addition to the original Mug Root Beer, PepsiCo also offers a cream soda (caffeine-free) and diet versions of both drinks, which are also caffeine-free.

Is root beer high in sugar?

While root beer is generally safe to drink during pregnancy, it's always good to consult a doctor. Root beer is non-alcoholic, but it does contain caffeine, which should be consumed in moderation during pregnancy. Some brands of root beer also contain alcohol, but in very low quantities.

Root beer is typically made with water, sugar, flavouring agents such as sassafras bark extract or vanilla bean extract, carbonation, and sometimes caffeine. It is considered a soft drink or soda, and these types of beverages are known to be high in sugar.

A 12-oz can of root beer contains 152 calories, 39 grams of carbohydrates, and 37 grams of added sugar. That amounts to nearly 8 teaspoons of added sugar, which is extremely high.

To put this in perspective, the American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day. This means that a single 12-oz can of root beer contains more than the recommended daily amount of added sugar for women.

While root beer may be a tasty treat, it's important to be aware of its high sugar content and consume it in moderation.

Is root beer safe to drink during pregnancy?

Pregnant women are often advised to avoid drinking alcohol, and root beer offers a non-alcoholic alternative. But is it safe to consume during pregnancy?

The Benefits of Root Beer During Pregnancy

Root beer is generally considered a safe drink option for pregnant women. It is non-alcoholic, as it is typically made with sassafras extract and sugar. This means there is no risk of harming the developing fetus with alcohol. Additionally, root beer is often derived from plants and botanicals, which can be reassuring for expectant mothers.

The Potential Concerns

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when drinking root beer during pregnancy. Firstly, root beer contains caffeine, which can be harmful in large amounts. Expectant mothers should moderate their intake of caffeinated beverages, and some may choose to avoid caffeine altogether. It's important to check the labels, as some root beers have caffeine, while others don't. For example, Barq's Root Beer contains caffeine, while A&W and Mug Root Beer are caffeine-free.

Another concern is the sugar content in root beer. High sugar intake can lead to weight gain and dehydration, which are not ideal during pregnancy. Additionally, the carbonation in root beer can cause indigestion or heartburn, which are common issues for pregnant women.

Recommendations

In conclusion, root beer is generally safe to consume during pregnancy, especially the caffeine-free varieties. However, it is important to drink it in moderation and be mindful of the sugar content. As always, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice regarding diet during pregnancy.

What is root beer made from?

Root beer is a sweet North American soft drink traditionally made using the root bark of the sassafras tree (*Sassafras albidum*) or the vine of *Smilax ornata* (known as sarsaparilla). Root beer is typically non-alcoholic, caffeine-free, sweet, and carbonated. It usually has a thick and foamy head.

Since safrole, a key component of sassafras, was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1960 due to its carcinogenicity, most commercial root beers have been flavoured using artificial sassafras flavouring. However, a few brands use a safrole-free sassafras extract.

Root beer was originally made with sassafras root and bark, which gave it its distinctive flavour and also formed a natural, long-lasting foam. The drink was originally carbonated by fermentation, but as demand and technology changed, carbonated water was used.

The primary ingredients in modern root beer are filtered water, sugar, and safrole-free sassafras extract, which complements other flavours. Common flavourings include vanilla, caramel, wintergreen, black cherry bark, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, nutmeg, acacia, anise, molasses, cinnamon, sweet birch, and honey. Soybean protein or yucca are sometimes used to create a foamy quality, and caramel colouring is used to make the beverage brown.

Ingredients in traditional root beers include allspice, birch bark, coriander, juniper, ginger, wintergreen, hops, burdock root, dandelion root, spikenard, pipsissewa, guaiacum chips, sarsaparilla, spicewood, wild cherry bark, yellow dock, prickly ash bark, sassafras root, vanilla beans, dog grass, molasses and licorice. Many of these ingredients are still used in traditional and commercially produced root beer today.

What is a good substitute for root beer during pregnancy?

While root beer is generally safe to consume during pregnancy, it's always good to be aware of the caffeine content and moderate your intake accordingly. If you're looking for a substitute, there are plenty of caffeine-free options to choose from. Here are some suggestions:

• A&W Root Beer: A well-known North American brand, A&W's root beer is caffeine-free and can be found in most restaurants. It's made with a blend of spices, herbs, and cane sugar, giving it a distinct flavour.
• Mug Root Beer: Mug is very similar to A&W in terms of ingredients and is also caffeine-free. It is flavoured with quillaia extract.
• Bundaberg Root Beer: This brand is lesser-known but offers a caffeine-free option that is brewed with sarsaparilla, licorice, ginger, and vanilla.
• Virgil's Root Beer: Virgil's offers two versions of their root beer, both of which are caffeine-free. Their handcrafted version is sweetened with cane sugar, while their zero-calorie version uses erythritol and stevia.
• Barq's Caffeine-Free Root Beer: While Barq's original root beer contains caffeine, they also offer a caffeine-free version. Just be sure to check the label, as the caffeine-free option may only be available from specific dispensers.

Remember, it's always a good idea to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have any concerns about what is safe to consume during pregnancy.

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