A small 3/4 cup serving of fruit juice helps you knock out part of your daily recommended fruit intake and provides essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy pregnancy. As you plan your meals, it's important to remember that not all juices are created equal. Some commercial juices contain little more than sugar and water while others may contain dangerous bacteria. There are four major factors to consider as you search for a healthy fruit juice drink to add to your healthy pregnancy diet.
Pasteurization
Pasteurization means your juice has been brought to the temperature necessary to kill bacteria. Unpasteurized juices may contain bacteria that lead to potentially deadly infections, such as listeriosis, toxoplasmosis or E. coli. Fresh-squeezed juices you make in your home or buy from juice bars aren't pasteurized. Make these juices safe by boiling them first, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read the label on commercial juices to make sure they're pasteurized.
Sugar Content
Fruit is naturally sweet. Still, beverage manufacturers create juices that contain less juice and more sugar to save money or improve taste. Excess sugar consumption during pregnancy is linked with excessive weight gain and pregnancy discomforts, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Look for fruit juices that say "no added sugar" on the label. The actual sugar content will vary depending on the type of fruit juice, but these juices don't contain more sugar than what comes from the fruit.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
You might be surprised when you read the label on your juice to see a tiny disclaimer that says "contains no fruit juice." It's those types of juice that you want to consume in moderation or avoid when you're pregnant. Sugary fruit drinks also typically contain fewer vitamins and minerals, according to registered dietician Katherine Zeratsky. Look for a label that reads 100% juice for products such as orange juice, grapefruit juice, apple juice, cranberry juice and grape juice to get the vitamin C, calcium, folic acid and other vitamins and minerals they provide.
Safe Ingredients
When you purchase 100 percent fruit juice, you should be getting 100 percent fruit juice. Scan the ingredients list quickly to check for artificial sugars, preservatives and food dyes. While those products have been deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, some additives, specifically food dyes, remain controversial as opponents believe their effects on health haven't been thoroughly tested. Avoid diet or reduced sugar juices that contain saccharin, recommends the Cleveland Clinic, because it can enter and remain in your growing baby's tissues.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Safe Eats - Fruits, Veggies and Juices
- MayoClinic.com; Fruit Juice: Is it Good or Bad for Kids?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D; June 2009
- American Pregnancy Association: Pregnancy Nutrition
- Food Safety.gov: Checklist of Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
- Cleveland Clinic: Nutrition During Pregnancy for Vegetarians
- BabyCenter; FDA Panel Examines Possible Links Between Food Dyes, ADHD; March 2011
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