Is Cold Pressed Juice Safe During Pregnancy?

You can buy juice from absolutely anywhere. It’s easy to grab a packaged drink from the shelf and think ‘this is so full of vitamins, so it’s got to be good for my health’. But is it true? There are a number of things to consider before you buy. This is even more the case when you’re pregnant!

One of the questions we’re going to answer is whether you can drink cold pressed juice safely during pregnancy? And if not, what are the alternatives of juicing during pregnancy?

The food you eat and drink is not only feeding yourself, but also, your growing baby. This means you need to be very selective about what you’re choosing to consume. Fruits and vegetables are two of the most nutritional sources you should be eating during pregnancy.

As all moms know, you’re bound to get some bloating and sickness during pregnancy. So, anything that looks raw or unappetizing is not getting your vote.

Instead, pregnant women may choose to try juicing during pregnancy. Although juice may seem like the healthiest choice of beverage over other options, you still need to be really careful about which juice you buy. This is even more the case if it’s cold pressed juice.

What is cold-pressed juice?

If you’ve been following the celebrity trends or are an avid Instagram user, it’s likely you’ve come across the term ‘cold pressed juice’. It’s something you can either pick up in the supermarket or create yourself using a specialized juicer.

If you haven’t heard of it, it’s simply the act of pressing fruits and vegetables to extract the natural juices. The difference is that the juice is made without using any heat whatsoever.

It’s a fairly new style of juicing which has only been around for 30 years, but it didn’t become too well-known until the early 2000s, when juice cleansing hit the peak of its popularity. But the question remains: is cold pressed juice safe?

Celebrities including the likes of Kim Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow have also publicized their love of cold pressed juicing. Their efforts saw the trend of cold pressed juicing skyrocket in the early 2010s. It has since become a worldwide phenomenon.

SEE ALSO: What Does Cold Pressed Juice Even Mean?

Cold-pressed Juice vs. Traditional Juice

Unlike traditional juicing methods, cold-pressed juicing uses far less heat and is extracted at a slower pace. This means that nutrients such as Vitamin B and C are retained.

There are a number of health benefits of cold-pressed juice. Here are two of the major ones:

Reduced stress levels

The amino acid tryptophan contained within fruits has been proven by health professionals to sustain better mental health and a good night’s sleep. Spinach also contains this nutrient, and is an ideal ingredient to add to your cold pressed juice recipes.

Weight loss

Snacking on junk food throughout the day can have an impact on the amount of weight you carry. This is due to the increased number of calories that are being consumed. Cold pressed juice is an ideal snacking alternative, as it only contains calories within fruit and vegetables.

Traditional juices that often contain extra ingredients you may be unaware of.

Is Cold Pressed Juice Pasteurized?

The answer to this is no.

Despite the benefits of juicing, there is a  big difference between cold pressed juice and traditional juice. The  latter is preserved for a longer period of time, while cold-pressed juices are raw.

The pasteurization process that is carried out within most fruit juices involves heating the juice to a certain temperature to kill bacteria and diseases. Cold pressed juice uses no heat and therefore, poses a threat to a pregnant woman’s health.

Without the pasteurization process, foods are at risk of being contaminated, Of course, this is a huge no-no for pregnant women, as harm to the baby may be likely.

If food or drink contains bacteria; illnesses such as Listeria, salmonella and E.coli could develop as a result of food poisining. This could then heighten the risk of miscarriage, premature labor or even stillbirth.

Even a harmless glass of juice that’s been blended with fruit and vegetables from a friend’s garden can be risky if they haven’t been washed properly. Don’t take any chances.

How can you clean fruit and vegetables to make them safe?

The FDA recommends you should wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly to get rid of harmful bacteria. Rinse under running water and use a vegetable brush to clear out any dirt and bugs. Be sure to cut out any damaged areas with a sharp knife.

These are often the sections of fruit and veggies where bacteria may be present.

Is cold pressed juice safe during pregnancy?

If you have been pondering the question ’is juicing safe’ as an expectant mother, then we hope we have given you a clear insight into why it wouldn’t be advised. There are also various other foods you shouldn’t eat while pregnant.

You may wish to look at the other juices that are much safer. While it’s better to purchase store-bought, they may not contain the essential vitamins, nutrients and enzymes needed to boost your health.

You may wish to make your own juice with a specialized juicing machine, but you still need to be cautious of health and safety procedures.

Here are a few tips to take into consideration if you still wish to drink fresh juice during pregnancy:

1. Read the labels and look for organic

If you’re set on keeping your exposure to toxins to an absolute minimum, then it would be best to choose completely organic juices. The label should state this, as well as detailing the vitamins contained.

One tip is to choose juices that are made up of seasonal fruits and vegetables, as they contain much more goodness than those grown unnaturally out of season.

2. Drink in small amounts

Even though it’s advised to stick your five-a-day, fruit is loaded with sugar, which isn’t too good for you. Although you may get cravings to eat sweet treats minute of the day, it’s best to refrain from consuming sugar wherever possible.

If you have been advised by the doctor to do so if you have little energy, then please follow their guidance.

While you may have initially been pondering ‘Is cold pressed juice safe’, it’s also sugar in general to be concerned about. Too much sugar could develop into diabetes, which could then also have an impact on your baby.

With that said, morning sickness during the early stages of pregnancy may leave you unable to face solid food. This is where pasteurized juice would be a good alternative.

3. Choose different flavors of juice

You may be more inclined to choose one flavor of juice over another. However, it would actually be better to switch juice flavors so you’re getting a balanced combination of vitamins.

When purchasing juice from the store, opt for those which contain iron, vitamins C, D & E, calcium and folate. Each of these vitamins are needed in our day-to-day diets to help beat of illness and keep our immune systems functioning. All of these factors are even more important when you’re pregnant.

4. Avoid juice cleanses or juice fasting

Even when you’re experiencing terrible morning sickness, it wouldn’t be a good idea to completely replace your meals with juice,. You’ll essentially depriving your body of the nutrients it needs for your growing child to develop into a healthy baby.

It’s not ideal to be fasting or going on body cleanses during pregnancy, so don’t go down this route!

5. Make your own juices

There’s no need to worry about thinking is ‘Is cold pressed juice safe?’ any longer! If you have enough time, you should try and make your very own juices from the comfort of your own home.

Useful Juicing Tips For Beginners

Always choose organically-grown produce as this will reduce its exposure to pesticides. Although these fruit and vegetables may be slightly more expensive, it’s definitely worth paying out those extra few cents to be on the safe side.

If your juicer is made in a masticating juicer (slow in speed), be sure to store your juice in a container with a secure lid if you want to save it for later on in the day or throughout the week. But, when using a fast (centrifugal) juicer, you’ll need to drink the juice fairly quickly and store it for no more than 24 hours in the refrigerator.

Would you consider cold pressed juice safe during pregnancy, or do you have a favorite juice alternative that you could recommend to our readers?

Share in the comments below!