Can I Drink Boba Tea While Pregnant? – Is Boba Tea Safe?

If you are here because of the question, ‘can I drink boba tea while pregnant?’, then you are on the right page. Two years ago, I was in the same position as you, asking the exact same question.

Pregnancy is a very interesting – but complicated period of a woman’s life. One of the most significant things you would notice, apart from the fatigue, is the cravings.

During pregnancy, women crave anything and everything, and if you are craving boba like I did, then you are right to be inquisitive.

 

Can I Drink Boba Tea While Pregnant?

Is boba tea good for you as a pregnant woman or for your unborn child? Is it safe? In this article, we will answer all your questions, and more. But first of all, let’s get started by unraveling what boba tea is made of before we get to the rest of details and also answer the main question “Can I drink boba tea while pregnant”.

 

What is Boba Tea Made Of?

Yes, it is good to begin from the basis. Many times, we order our boba tea from a café or buy it from a supermarket. But do we know what boba tea is made of?

Of cause boba tea is different from every other type of tea – whether milk-based or not – as it should be. So, what is it made of? Boba tea is made up of milk, tapioca pearls, tea, and syrup.

Nowadays, many cafes or chefs add other items like flavored powders, ice cream, and fruits to give it their own signature taste or look. But the basic ingredients in Boba tea remains milk, tapioca pearls, tea, and syrup.

Some cafes add a lot of slouched ice to the tea to give it a slushy feel, while others prefer to add more tapioca pearls. The tropical pearls, which are often referred to as ‘chew balls’ are perhaps the most unique ingredient in the boba tea.

 

Is Boba Tea Safe for Pregnancy?

We have seen all the ingredients contained in boba tea, but is it safe for pregnancy? Before considering the issue of safety, especially as it concerns pregnancy, care must be taken.

First, we need to look at each content in the boba tea individually and how they react together collectively.

Well, boba tea does not pose any harm to either the pregnant woman or unborn child, when taken in moderation. Yes, like with every other food or drink, moderation should be the watchword.

Maybe people are often concerned about the caffeine concentration in boba tea – and rightly so. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), caffeine intake of no more than 200mg per day does not pose any risk to pregnant women.

Since a 16 oz cup of boba tea contains an average of 130mg of caffeine, it is advisable to stick to one cup a day.

So, feel free to enjoy your boba tea and satisfy your cravings even when pregnant, but ensure to take it in moderation.

 

Can a Pregnant Woman Drink Boba Tea?

The direct answer is yes. Limiting your boba tea intake to one cup a day does not pose any threats to the pregnant woman or the unborn child.

However, it is safe to say that pregnant women should be cautious of the sugar concentration in their boba drink at all times.

Most sellers often add a high amount of sugar to the tropical pearls, so always have this in mind when making the tea.

You should also remember that the delicious drink is low in nutrients but high in calories. A 16 oz cup of boba tea can contain as many as 340 calories.

It is important to always keep sugar and calorie level in check for the sake of the unborn child.

In a report by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, it was stated that too much sugar is bad for a baby’s development.

The study reveals that too much sugar intake during pregnancy can affect the baby’s cognitive and learning development.

 

What is Contained Inside Boba Tea?

Boba tea contains milk, tea, water, and tapioca pearls. After the pearls are added, the sweet iced tea is given a cocktail shake to have everything in place.

The version of the boba tea depends on the café or chef making it. Some people add artificial flavors or colorings, while others prefer certain teas.

The boba itself are chewy balls that are made from tapioca. The drink itself is made from tea and milk to form the base before milk and flavoring are added.

Tapioca is a gluten-free starch that is extracted from cassava roots. It is specially prepared with sugar and coloring to make it a great addition to the boba drink.

 

Health Benefits of Drinking Boba While Pregnant

Many pregnant women have confirmed that boba tea helps them to manage morning sickness and tiredness. This is because boba tea contains antioxidants, which are responsible for empowering the immune system.

Although boba tea is not very high in nutrients, like every other beverage, it has numerous health benefits. As you know, there is the presence of a tea and milk base in the drink which contains various vitamins like Vitamin A.

Milk is a good source of vitamins and vital minerals. It also contains a fairly good amount of potassium, calcium, B12, and vitamin D. There is also the presence of zinc, thiamine (B1), and magnesium.

The pearls are high in energy-giving carbohydrates which help to provide the much-needed energy needed by the pregnant woman.

However, women who suffer from acid influx, bloating, or acidity during pregnancy, should reduce their intake of beverages in general. This is because beverages have been discovered to contribute to aggravating these issues.

 

How to Make Boba Tea Recipe for Pregnant Women

When you want to make a boba tea for a pregnant woman, you should have three things in mind.

One, you want to make a tasty boba tea to satisfy the cravings of the pregnant woman.

Two, you want to make a healthy drink that poses no threats to the pregnant woman.

Three, you want to make a healthy drink that posses no threats to the unborn baby.

With these three important points in mind, here is a good recipe for making a healthy boba tea for a pregnant woman.

Step By Step on How to make a Healthy Cup of Boba Tea

  • Step 1: Prepare black or green tea, depending on your preference. Note that we would always recommend green tea!
  • Step 2: Pour the prepared tea into a glass or clear cup of about 350ml.
  • Step 3: Add milk in quantity of about 200ml to the glass or clear cup.
  • Step 4: Add a tablespoon of honey, and stir well. Depending on your preference, you can add juice in place of honey.
  • Step 5: Add the tapioca pearls, and mix cocktail style.
  • Step 6: Add ice, if you prefer your tea cold, or take it hot if that is your preference.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions On Can I Drink Boba Tea While Pregnant?

 

Is It Safe To Drink Boba Tea When Pregnant?

Yes, it is safe to drink boba tea while pregnant. However, you should take it in moderation, about once a week or twice a month.

 

Is Boba Safe While Breastfeeding?

As a pregnant woman, medical experts often advise against drinking too much tea or coffee while breastfeeding. This is because the caffeine can pass through the breast milk to the baby, which will affect the baby’s sleep. In the same vein, taking boba during breastfeeding should be avoided.

 

How Much Caffeine Content is in Boba?

As you already know, boba tea is made up of a tea base. The tea is usually black or green, so there is a fairly high amount of caffeine in the drink. A regular cup of boba contains between 100mg to 160mg of caffeine. It has been discovered that caffeine is not good for babies as it disturbs their sleep. How is this important? Sleep is important to infants because that is when growth and formation of the central nervous system and organs occur.

 

How Much Sugar Content Can Be Found in Boba Tea?

A regular glass or clear cup of boba tea contains 37g of sugar on average. Apart from the milk and added sugar, the tapioca boba is high in calories and sugar. One ounce of boba contains 25 calories. This is further divided into 6 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of sugar, the rest being fiber and other substances.

 

Conclusion

I will not lie to you, boba tea is a great drink that you would love to try over and over. It is a great tea variation and it offers so much more than the ordinary cup of tea.

However, no matter how much you are craving boba tea, make sure that you moderate your intake to only a few times monthly. This way, you are sure of not taking too much caffeine or sugar into your body system.

Also, as mentioned above, it is advisable to stay away from beverages during breastfeeding because they are directly transferred to the baby.

Lastly, when picking the teas for the base of your drink, always consider teas that are healthy for both you and your baby. In summary, boba tea does not pose any threats to you or your baby. But take it in moderation whenever you need to satisfy your craving.