Staying hydrated is key to avoiding all kinds of pregnancy symptoms, like headaches, muscle aches and nausea. And to avoid heartburn, it’s best to sip drinks all day between meals, to keep your stomach from getting too full. But sugary drinks are bad, caffeine is bad, and water gets boring. Why not spice things up by mixing your own exciting take-along drink for your water bottle, or signature “virgin” cocktail?
Here are some ideas:
Lemonade variations. For lemonade or limeade simmer one cup of water and dissolve in one sup of sugar until mixture simmers and is clear. Cool, then mix in a pitcher with eight cups of water and ice. If you keep sugar syrup and lemon juice around you can use the same proportions to mix up a glass on demand. To make it a spritzer, substitute club soda or plain seltzer for tap water, or for extra hydration and a touch of the exotic use coconut water instead of water and topping with a sprig of crushed mint or basil.
Exotic juice. Jazz up seltzer or other drinks with a dash of something unexpected, like peach or guava nectar or pineapple juice (and a little umbrella).
Ginger beer. Its snappy bite is a quick anti-nausea boost. Make it even more exotic with a splash of juice, fruit nectar or grenadine.
Cranberry spritzer. Cranberry juice, soda water and a wedge of lime.
Iced Tea. Most iced black tea only has about 25 mg. of caffeine in it per cup, making it a safe pick-me-up unless you chug it all day long, and cheap when you make it at home. Just brew any tea, using about four teabags for a 32-ounce pitcher, then sweeten and add water and ice to taste. Try combinations of black, red and fruit and herb teas, add intrigue with a splash of juice, mint or herbs, or a drop of flavor extract like vanilla, orange or even almond.
Infused water. Try adding to your bottle or glass a slice of cucumber, crushed strawberry or other fruit. A little goes a long way.
Leave a Reply