Is craving Gatorade while pregnant considered safe and okay for a pregnant woman?
To answer, yes, in a general sense. Gatorade is neither toxic nor deadly; it also doesn’t contain components that are detrimental to the development of both the mother and the child. However, it’s important to note that overdrinking or overconsuming it can be bad, too.
As weird as it can get, Gatorade’s actually pretty normal to be craved by expectant mothers. However, the question still stands – would there be any harm in doing so? What about the baby?
In this article, we will start and completely finish the discussion of whether Gatorade is safe or not! Furthermore, we’ll also be touching on the relevance of hydration during pregnancy, the possibilities of why pregnant women crave Gatorade, and much more!
| The website’s general material is given for informative purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The article has been reviewed by medical expert Margaret Dogwood, BSN, RN. For emergencies, contact your local physician or certified healthcare provider RIGHT AWAY! |
A Deep Dive Into Pregnancy Cravings
It’s actually been the cliché of pregnancy – and if you weren’t aware of that, you should now! Pregnancy cravings have long been considered a “normal” or “standard” phenomenon, where women start to want certain food.
This magical occurrence stunned – and keeps stunning medical experts today. NYU Medical Center Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Andrei Rebarber says that there’s really little-to-no research about pregnancy cravings and why they occur.
Although there are ideas, no one truly understands why pregnant women experience cravings, which are the body’s way of requesting nutrients that it may be lacking.”
It sounds funny, but we’ve encountered and experienced future-mothers craving for the weirdest of food selections like ice, toothpaste, and Gatorade to the most extreme like coal, rubber, cornstarch, and soil.
We don’t want to go to that side of the pond in this article. In fact, we’re here for one thing – and that is whether Gatorade is a safe option for expectant mothers or not! Before diving deep into it, let us first discuss the basics – what is Gatorade?
What is Gatorade?
Since childhood, Gatorade’s been one of the most popular sports drinks out there! At some point in our lives, our parents even thought of it as a “magical drink” that could make viruses, bacteria – diseases and conditions go away!
In essence, Gatorade is a hydration powerhouse and is referred to as the drink of choice for athletes and anyone who is active. It was created to assist replace electrolytes lost via sweat, give you a much-needed energy boost, and keep your body’s fluid equilibrium.
Gatorade not only satisfies your thirst but also helps avoid dehydration, a typical worry during pregnancy, right? Well, that is thanks to its abundance of vital minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
It’s like this high-quality drink that’s been engineered and designed to give you the replenishment you’re looking for!
Are You Craving Gatorade While Pregnant?
While it’s not uncommon for pregnant women to crave something to eat or drink, a lot view craving sports and hydration drinks like Gatorade as pretty unusual. I mean, considering the fact that some expectant mothers crave more extravagantly than this – it’s fair to say that Gatorade is somewhere below that “strange” line.
What could be the reasons for this craving? And would Gatorade be safe for pregnant women?
Let’s start off by trying to divulge the possible reasons why Gatorade is part of that cravings list!
Why Am I Craving Gatorade? 3 Possible Reasons
Don’t worry – you’re normal. I know you kind of needed to hear that, and there you go! So, what probable reasons could there be for craving something of this kind? And does this mean that I need to fix something up in my system?
Without further ado, let’s go ahead and try tackling what you came here for!
Individual Preference
Personal tastes and associations can frequently affect cravings. It could be because you think you’ll need one thing, but then when you go through your choices, you feel like you don’t want them any longer.
Your brain might look for a similar, enjoyable experience if you have previously enjoyed Gatorade or have favorable connections with it, such as drinking it while exercising or playing sports.
It is important to consider the psychological side of cravings because our desires can be greatly influenced by our personal memories and associations! There was a time when I had a friend who had an extremely low-sugar diet – she then craved chocolates the next hour. It’s possible that our cravings (especially pregnant women’s), can be because of what our body thinks it needs.
Taste and Flavor
Another possibility would be the taste and the flavor. You could be wanting Gatorade a lot when pregnant because of its distinctive flavor and taste.
In fact, many expecting moms may find the flavor combination of sweet and tangy, which is available in a range of refreshing fruit flavors, to be attractive. Your hunger for something unusual and delightful can be sated by the distinctive flavor sensation that Gatorade provides.
Arnaldo Torres, MD, specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology, says that cravings can come in a lot of different forms.
Cravings can be any of the individual (or the combination) of sweet, salty, sour, or spicy. Additionally, each person’s cravings might change dramatically during the duration of pregnancy.”
Electrolyte Content
Last but most definitely not least would be the electrolyte content. Gatorade is well-known for including important minerals including sodium, potassium, and magnesium. These electrolytes are essential for keeping the body’s electrolyte balance and appropriate hydration.
Electrolyte imbalances can occur during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and increased hydration requirements.
Your body may be telling you that you need these restoring electrolytes by making you want Gatorade!
Is It Safe?
The Royal Women’s Hospital in Victoria, Australia says that there are other fluids that are less in water, but present in other drinks.
Water is not always the best fluid to manage hydration. Try diluted fruit juice, cordial, weak tea, clear soup, Lucozade, Gatorade, sports drinks like those mentioned above, flat lemonade, Lucozade, or Bonox/Bovril.”
It is, however, essential to keep in mind that everything – even those in the ordinary – that is out of moderation is bad, even water and Gatorade.
DID YOU KNOW: Too much Gatorade can contribute to the development of gestational diabetes, which is ultimately bad for both your health and the baby’s.
It’s important, especially for pregnant women to observe moderation in drinking fluids. Yes, your body needs more, but that doesn’t mean you need to drown yourself in it.
Seeking the Expertise of Healthcare Providers
Personally, I would consult with a healthcare provider immediately after I notice that something’s going on. I mean, if there’s something wrong, then, my OB-GYN must be alerted immediately, right?
Overall, healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to assess your total dietary requirements during pregnancy include obstetricians, midwives, and nutritionists. They can determine if your body needs Gatorade to stay hydrated, maintain electrolyte balance, and obtain other vital nutrients.
To add to that, throughout your pregnancy, routine check-ups with medical professionals enable continuous monitoring of your health and well-being. They can monitor any possible impacts on your diet and make the necessary modifications to guarantee that you and your baby are flourishing by knowing about your desires.
Due to the individual nature of each pregnancy, what works for one woman may not be appropriate for another. So, don’t rely on whatever you’re told or whatever you’ve read!
FAQs
In case you’re still clouded with questions, here are a few of the most-asked questions about craving Gatorade during the timeline of pregnancy!
Is Gatorade Zero Ok When Pregnant
It is safe, the same thing with regular or standard Gatorade. However, expectant mothers need to be reminded to consume them in moderation.
What Does It Mean To Crave Gatorade?
This depends on and does not actually have a concrete answer. It could be because of your own preference, the taste, and flavor you crave, what your body is lacking, or you just want flavored hydration!
Craving Gatorade While Pregnant First Trimester
There’s literally nothing wrong with it! In fact, it’s great for pregnant women to crave Gatorade, so long as they drink and consume it in moderation. Gatorade can kick up the electrolytes and nutrients that you could be missing from what you eat!
The Bottom Line
What do you think? Is craving Gatorade while pregnant something you would consider safe? Besides all the registered and documented statements and claims they are, it’s still best to check with your OB-GYN first.
Remember, not all pregnancies are equal!
Also Read:
Enjoying Medium-Well Steak During Pregnancy
Can You Drink Chai Tea During Pregnancy?
