This is a very frequent question asked by many pregnant women. Before we dwell into the details of whether it’s safe or not, it’s best to first consult your doctor before you proceed.
The answer to the above question is – it really depends on the ingredients of the product.
Pre-workout supplements are actually great for maximizing your workout. These supplements give you energy, and some supplements even provide nutrition that is necessary for muscle recovery.
But, the moment you come to know that you’re pregnant, the whole dynamic changes for you. Now, every decision you make has to be taken with keeping your baby’s health in mind. So, if you ask anyone whether you should take a pre-workout supplement during pregnancy, many people will vote against it.
But that’s not the case; you can still take pre-workout supplements but bear in mind to check the brand and the ingredient list. Not all pre-workout supplement brands out there are good for you and, in some cases, can be dangerous to your baby’s health.
Which ingredients in the supplements are harmful to your baby’s health?
The Mayo Clinic recommends strongly against taking any supplements and states they are a huge risk during pregnancy. On their website, they go ahead and state that some supplements can contain containments like pesticides, metal, bacteria, or chemicals.
They further state that there is not enough research done on the danger and effect of taking supplements during pregnancy. So, it’s better to stay away from them. Mayo Clinic also lists out an ingredient called – vinpocetine, which is known for weight loss, to increase focus and energy, and to enhance memory.
While this is taken by women who are not pregnant, but for pregnant women, it’s not safe at all. The other ingredients you should look out for are- melatonin and St. John’s wort.
Another reason why pre-workout is not recommended for pregnant women is because of the high amount of caffeine present in the supplement. Intake of a high dose of caffeine can lead to a baby’s low birth weight and, in the worse case, a miscarriage. There are many pre-workout supplements available in the market, which usually has a warning against consuming the product by pregnant and lactating women.
The recommended dose of caffeine for pregnant women per day is 200mg or less than that. You might consume the daily dose in different ways, through carbonated drinks, chocolates, tea, or coffee. You need to make sure that you intake less than 200mg caffeine, which means that you make sure that the supplement you take is less than 200mg caffeine.
Which pre-workout supplement can you take during your pregnancy?
There are not many pre-workout supplements available that are safe during pregnancy, but there are some which can be taken and will help you with your workouts during pregnancy.
Bumped Up pre-workout supplements by Bucked Up are great if you’re looking to continue taking a pre-workout supplement. Their website claims that it’s not only safe to consume during pregnancy, but every ingredient is natural. The supplement has ingredients for both muscle recovery and nutrients to support your pregnancy. It has amino acids and only 100mg of caffeine in it. The supplement contains zero calories and comes in 3 flavors- Orange Mango, Pink Lemonade, and Strawberry Kiwi.
Another supplement that is safe to take is Optimum Nutrition’s Amino Energy. It comes in a 30-serving tub, and a single scoop of serving contains only 50mg of caffeine. Amino energy also comes in 20-different flavors that you can choose from.
Merica Labz Stars ‘N Pipes is also another great option. This supplement comes in a 20 serving tub with 6 different flavors, and is a non-stimulant pre-workout, meaning it has no caffeine and no DMHA.
Consult your doctor
Before you proceed to buy any pre-workout supplement, make sure to consult your doctor and ask them if the brand, the product, and its ingredients are safe for you. Every pregnant woman is different from each other; their needs, the problems with the pregnancy will be different. So, always make sure to step ahead with caution.
