Tropicana Juice During Pregnancy: Health Considerations and Alternatives

Tropicana juice during pregnancy: Tropicana juice is loved by many as it’s tasty and considered 100% natural fruit juice. And while many people consider having it over sodas and other energy drinks, pregnant women should be cautious of what they consume. If you’re pregnant, you know better that drinking about everything is not healthy.

Pregnancy is a crucial stage, and any food you consume during this time is passed down to your unborn baby. That’s why pregnant women are advised to steer clear of alcohol and other substance abuse, as they can affect the baby.

The same is valid with any food/drink. Before consuming anything, take time and learn about ingredients, whether they’re safe or unsafe during pregnancy. And in case you’re wondering whether to drink Tropicana juice while pregnant or not, stay tuned.

Tropicana Juice During Pregnancy: Should You Drink It?

No one, not even pregnant women, should drink Tropicana or any other fruit juice made in a factory. That’s because these juices are not the way they are in nature. Instead, they are mostly made of water, sweeteners, which flavors, colors, stabilizers, and preservers, with only a small amount of real fruit pulp. This makes them unhealthy. So, don’t drink Tropicana juice when you’re pregnant or at any other time, since it’s just a sugary drink that’s been kept and filled with vitamins and minerals.

Natural fruits are a good source of vitamins, minerals, sugar, proteins, and dietary fiber. This makes them healthy to consume as they are or extract juice from them using juice extractors. It’s a no-brainer that fresh fruits will always be better than their industry-made counterparts

Here’s why:

• Fresh fruits or juice contain all the nutrients they have in appropriate amounts. Taking such fruits gives you the benefit of the doubt that you’ll get specific amounts of the nutrients present. However, for industry-made juice like Tropicana, manufacturing processes like long-time heating denatures essential nutrients like vitamins. And unless the nutrients are enriched in the final product, the juice will contain far less nutrients than fruits.
• Fresh fruits or juice are packed with fiber which plays a crucial role in pregnant women’s health. It adds bulk to stool, enhancing regular bowel movements and preventing constipation, a condition many expectant moms struggle with. Processing fruits to make Tropicana juice removes the fiber present.
• Moreover, fresh fruits or juice don’t contain preservatives. However, Tropicana juice contains preservatives to ensure peak quality and extended shelf life. The preservatives, some of which are artificial, can harm both the mother and the unborn baby’s health; and may lead to serious health issues.
• Again fresh fruits have natural sugars, giving them a sweet taste. The same is valid for homemade fruit juice with only fruits. As for Tropicana juice, it’s loaded with sweeteners, enhancing its taste. Research suggests that excessive sugar consumption during pregnancy can lead to excessive weight gain and pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth.

For these reasons, avoid taking Tropicana and other industry-made juices if you are pregnant. And if you crave Tropicana juice, take some oranges or any fruit and make its juice. This way, it’s cheaper and healthier too. Here’s how to make natural orange fruit juice at home.

How To Make Natural Orange Juice At Home

Follow these steps to make natural orange juice at home:

Purchase high-quality oranges

Because you’re using natural fruits to prepare juice, there’s the probability that some may be infested with bacteria or fungi that can contaminate your place. So, carefully select good oranges that don’t have soft spots or pigmentation. Take note of the smell, too; rotten oranges have a foul odor that can be easily identified. Choose well to ensure your juice contains only healthy fruits.

Wash and peel the oranges

Pour ½ tablespoon of table salt or vinegar into clean water and use the water to wash the oranges. The salt or vinegar will kill any bacteria on the orange’s surface. Once cleaned, wipe the oranges with a clean kitchen towel and peel them.

Blend

There are many ways of making orange juice, which will determine how you cut your oranges. If you plan on straining them using a manual juicer, remove the seeds and then strain them to make your juice. And if you want to blend them in a blender, peel off the inner sheath and blend.

Once done, enjoy your juice as it is or with any meal you prefer. If you’ve blended your oranges, don’t bother sieving the fiber, as that makes the juice healthy. Add a considerable amount of water to make the juice to your desired consistency.

Other Healthy Drinks Besides Tropicana Juice

As mentioned, Tropicana juice is not recommended during pregnancy. This may leave you wondering, what can I drink instead? Don’t worry; here are other healthy alternatives to Tropicana juice you can drink while pregnant.

Natural Fruit Juice

Natural fruit is one of the best alternatives to Tropicana juice. And although you can use any fruit you like, fruits with high water content, like melons, pineapples, grapefruits, and oranges, work the best. They produce lots of juice that you can drink all day.

Water

Everyone knows how crucial water is to anyone’s health. It’s an all-time recommendation and should be consumed in its recommended amounts. Water helps flush out toxins, improves skin, and reduces the risk of blood pressure. Remember, water is not just healthy or an alternative, but necessary during pregnancy.

Smoothies

Smoothies are underrated yet very healthy. They consist of a blend of drink fruits and/or vegetables containing lots of essential nutrients and vitamins to sustain you throughout your pregnancy. Smoothies also make up for an excellent snack and are a way of increasing your calorie intake. Moreover, they contain fiber and natural sugars without any side effects.

Conclusion

Should you drink Tropicana juice during pregnancy? No, Tropicana juice and any other industry-made juice are not recommended for anyone, not expectant ladies alone. They don’t contain all the nutrients present in fruits.

They are also high in sugars, leading to excess weight gain and pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes. Moreover, Tropicana juice contains preservatives that may have severe complications for the mother or her unborn baby.

So, avoid consuming this drink if pregnant. Instead, choose alternatives like natural fruit juice, smoothies, water, coconut water, soups, and recommended herbal teas.