Whether you are on your first or third trimester, there are a few things that you have come to expect while expecting. Some you might have been told by your OB-GYN, others passed down to you through folk wisdom by women who have come before you, and many more from your own rooting around on the internet. One thing though might be harder for most to contend with – the long list of ‘Don’ts’ you constantly have to keep in mind. For one, you are no longer allowed that lovely glass of wine at dinner or just after a long day of work. Sushi dates are now a big no-no. If you only had a passing acquaintance with fruits and veg, then your relationship is about to improve a whole lot, whether you want it to or not. And if you have a penchant for smoking, then put those Slim Jims down for the foreseeable future.

One chemical that we might have come to rely on more than others, however, is caffeine. We take it where we can get it, especially if you are now on the wrong side of 25. Whereas before, in the morning both your mind and body would jump out of bed ready for the day ahead, now your mind lags miles behind your body and you struggle to fully wake up long after you have left the comfort of our bed. That all important morning cup of joe might be hard to part with, but there are sound reasons as to why it might serve you well in the long run to find alternatives. For one, caffeine consumption has been linked to a higher risk of miscarriages as it reduces blood flow to the uterus. And even though there are those who insist that a cup or two a day won’t hurt you, you must also keep in mind that it doesn’t just affect you. Caffeine will travel through your bloodstream to the placenta and ultimately to the baby, whose liver isn’t developed enough yet to detoxify it out of their system. The same can be said of expectant mothers  whose livers are working overtime during pregnancy. Caffeine in the system works to overload an already overworked liver. This means it might linger longer in your system and subsequently disturb your sleep patterns at night. Caffeine is also known to work as a diuretic which might increase an already high frequency of having to use the bathroom in your present condition.

But seeing as your life and productivity need not be adversely affected by your pregnancy or the lack of that shot of caffeine in your day, here are a few alternatives that are good not only for expectant moms, but for those who are trying to break their dependency on caffeine.

Green tea 

The science behind what makes tea as a whole now considered a “superfood” is expansive. Your regular cup of tea has about half the amount of caffeine found in a regular cup of coffee. The short and sweet of it is tea in general is rich in polyphenols which are responsible for tea’s exceptional antioxidant properties. It also works to keep the gut and the heart healthy. Green tea is particularly known for its antioxidant properties. A polyphenol specially found in tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been found to lower anxiety and is therefore therapeutic. This, unlike the heart-racing effects of a caffeine-laced drink, is a welcome relief. Have in mind that it has lower and not zero caffeine so don’t go overboard.

Hot Water

If you have been in China long enough then you understand this as a running gag. This simple drink is prescribed for everything from fatigue to serious illness. But for expectant moms it might actually be a magic drink. Some of the charming side effects of pregnancy are nausea, hypersalivation, and mucus membranes swelling, drying out and even bleeding. These are incredibly uncomfortable effects which can be relieved or even managed by having a cup of water with lemon. You can also choose to add other fruit essences, or go a step further and make a broth of your choosing.

Sparkling Water

One of the biggest culprits for most of the caffeine intake all over the world in the young and old is soda consumption. Many of our favorite fizzy drinks are loaded with caffeine and during pregnancy, thanks to cravings, it is very easy to overdo it. Usually the draw to fizzy drinks is the fizz itself and its scouring effect on the throat rather than the sugar hit. If that is all you might be looking for, then you can have a refreshing bottle on hand. A half juice, half sparkling water combination is surprisingly refreshing and could simulate that soda kick, without its dehydrating and over-caffeinated properties.

Coconut water 

With its mildly sweet flavor, this hydrating and nutritious beverage comes highly recommended by gynecologists the world over for its pH balancing properties. It also promotes good digestion while fighting heartburn and constipation, which are yet more side effects to being pregnant. And while it is refreshing going in, it might do your body a world of good while going out as it promotes kidney health while fighting common urinary problems.

Snacks 

Going without caffeine means you might not get that instant kick of energy which comes with a good espresso. But snacking is a good way around this. A  handful of nuts is able to give you the energy boost that you might have been looking for through that arduous afternoon slump. Dried fruit such as raisins are a ready source of energy. And for convenience purposes, you might grab a cereal bar or two and stash them for later.

When all is said, despite its limitations, pregnancy is a magical experience for those who choose it, and this is just one way to ensure that your pregnancy is not only a happy one but a healthy and safe one too.

Photos: weightlosswowfactor.com , CDC , lovingfruits.com,  Medical News Today,   Firstcry , naija.ng

The days of summery bliss and frosty drinks are behind us. It will be a few months to come before we can once again enjoy a cold glass of anything out in the sun. Winter is upon us, and with winter comes the need to drink warm, cozy drinks. Be it in the office or just on a walk down the windy street, a mug of something warm in hand is a blessing. But even though Beijing is chock-full of tea and coffee outlets, sometimes you might have neither the time nor the energy to seek out one of these vendors for your daily warming beverage fix. Or maybe another cup of regular milk or fruit tea is the last thing that you are craving for. Here are a few ideas to jazz up your autumnal and winter beverage menu both at home and while on the move.

Chai Tea 

Known for it’s spicy kick, this beverage can be traced back to 5000 to 9000 years ago in present day India, where it is believed that members of ancient royal courts created this revitalizing recipe as an Ayurvedic  beverage. Over the years it has gained popularity the world over with simple variations ranging from the milk used to the spices added to make it. Do not be intimidated however if you have never made it yourself as it is a simple recipe that scarcely takes more than a few minutes to accomplish. Simply bring crushed spices, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and milk to a boil, add tea bags, and let steep for 10 minutes. Loose-leaf black tea can also be used in place of tea bags. Just be sure to have a strainer on hand.

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

 
No doubt these two ingredients separately send most of us into fits of uncontrollable drooling, let alone as a combination in a warming beverage. Peanut butter and chocolate have long been known to work well together as flavor profiles go, and this drink is proof. All you will need is a peanut butter of your choice (preferably smooth), some Nutella and cocoa powder. Combine them all with a bit of milk, and if you have a few crushed hazelnuts or marshmallows on hand, feel free to sprinkle them over the beverage as a delicious topping. That is indeed a treat that is hard to beat, especially on a crisp autumn day.

Vegan macha late

Though this tea might be easy to dismiss as yet another millennial drink fad, it is actually steeped in years of tradition. The growing, cultivation, and subsequent consumption of this special tea can be traced back to the Tang dynasty in China circa 7th to the 10th century. But what brought it to world prominence was the Japanese culture of growing it. While most green teas are grown under direct sunlight, Matcha tea is grown under shaded conditions. It has also  been an integral part of Japanese tea culture for centuries. Some of the benefits attributed to drinking Matcha include boosting brain function, protecting the liver and the heart, and acting as an anti-carcinogenic agent in the body, and it’s also a good source of antioxidants. If you are on a vegan kick, then this is the perfect beverage to warm you up this cold season. All you need to make this low calorie latte is Matcha powder, gelatin, coconut milk and raw honey. Mix one teaspoon matcha powder with boiling water, add in the gelatin and continue to mix until smooth. Add raw honey, warm coconut milk and voila!

Non Alcoholic Eggnog

Even though Christmas is well over a month away, it is not too soon to usher in the yuletide spirit with a Christmas time favorite to chase way the winter blues. Eggnog, far from just being a festive drink, can be a decadent and even cozy drink over a cold, dark weekend. Omitting the ubiquitous splash of alcohol which is synonymous with the drink makes it fit to be a warm treat for the entire family. It is super easy to make with ingredients that you already have in your kitchen. There is no need to splurge on ready-made eggnog when you can make it yourself, with far creamier results. Cinnamon and nutmeg are always a good garnish for a cup of eggnog with the excess, should there be any, refrigerated to enjoy later.

Cinnamon And Cranberry Punch

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean that punches are off the drinks menu. A cranberry and Cinnamon punch is just the thing to buoy the whole family’s spirits on a particularly dreary day. It is a light and refreshing non-alcoholic alternative to more conventional winter beverages. You will need fresh cranberries, cranberry juice, orange juice, lime, fresh oranges and apple juice. It would also be excellent for kids’ parties and for the designated driver of the night as well.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

This delicious spicy hot chocolate traces its roots back over 5000 years to the Mayan and Aztec people who were among the first ever in the world to make drinks containing cocoa. The world chocolate itself is derived from the Aztec word xocolatl which means “bitter water”, and it has been enjoyed throughout Mexico and central America, with recipes in the past sometimes including corn. With very few ingredients, this beverage is easy and quick to make. Mix brown sugar, ground cinnamon, cocoa powder and powdered milk in a bowl and store it in a jar to have it always ready. Just add hot water, or hot milk for that soothing relaxing treat after a long, cold winter day.

Photos: foodista.com, crazyvegankitchen.com, pumpkinspice.com, celebrationjoy.com, healthyjade.com,  dessertplanet.com, foodista.com

Bubble tea has exploded onto the Beijing food and beverage scene, and if like this great city, this phenomenon has also taken you by storm, you’ll want to know where you can get your bubble fix. 

Originally created in Taiwan in the 1980’s, bubble tea soon spread throughout China and Southeast Asia, and can now be found upon the shores of Western regions. Bubble tea is made using boba tapioca pearls and is synonymous with sweet add-ons like condensed milk and flavored syrups. Tapioca is a type of gluten-free starch that is extracted from the cassava root, but before you go adding this sticky treat to your one-a-day gluten-free healthy snack list, note that you’ll be getting your tea with generous helpings of cream and other sweet goodies!

You may be familiar with the classic spots to partake of a cup of bubble tea—Coco, Gongcha, and Yidiandian. However, new and on trend Internet-famous bubble teas are popping up all over Beijing, some with a 30-minute wait attached to your purchase. I’ve taken the liberty of checking the top five of these Internet-famous drinks and ranked them so that you don’t waste any time in that line. In order to get the most authentic experience, I ordered everything without customization, but you can adjust sugar and ice levels in every place except for The Alley.

Ranked: #5 The White Rabbit Milk Tea, RMB 20

Honestly? This drink disappointed me. The shop is tiny, and so very crowded, there’s also no place to sit down during the 10-minute wait. The amount of tea I got was disappointingly little, and nearly half of the cup was filled with ice. The taste wasn’t impressive, either. The only thing separating this from your average milk tea was that it was slightly creamier and smoother than usual, though that ended up diluting any tea flavor that was left. I could barely taste the white rabbit. If you’re looking for a very mild milk tea, this is the place to go but if you come in search of white rabbit milk tea, you will be sorely disappointed.

Ranked #4: Xicha’s Strawberry Cheezo, RMB 32

The reason that this drink became so popular in the first place is because of its famous “cheese cap”, yet I got much less of a cheese flavor than I expected. The strawberry-ice blend is very refreshing; however, the more I drank, the sweeter it became. I would ask for less sugar next time I order. It was kind of hard to get a sip of both the cheese cap and the strawberry drink. Overall, the drink is pretty good, just not worth the 30-minute wait time and the price.

Ranked #3: Xicha’s Grapefruit Tea, RMB 25

This drink, filled with grapefruit juice and actual slices of grapefruit, was somewhat worth the 30-minute wait. The taste starts sweet, but the more you drink, the more you will get a hit of grapefruit. This drink is the perfect refresher after a day of shopping, and the slightly bitter taste will force you to drink it slowly instead of chugging the whole thing at once.

Ranked #2: The Alley’s Brown Sugar Pearl Milk, RMB 22

Often known as “dirty tea,” this drink gets its name from the beautiful gradient created as the cold milk is poured on top of a pearl and brown sugar mix. The pearls were slightly too chewy, but the sweetness of the brown sugar made them very flavorful. The milk was refreshing and allowed me to finish the whole thing without getting tired of the sweetness. My only problem with this is the price. RMB 22 is a lot of money for a tiny drink. However, the taste and the overall presentation live up to the hype.

Ranked #1: CouCou Hot Pot’s Classic Bubble Tea, RMB 20

Even though a hot pot spot isn’t where you’d expect to find good milk tea, give CouCou a try. A small stall outside of the main hotpot shop sells the tea, and there’s usually not much of a line. The drink itself is creamy and smooth but still retains the aftertaste of oolong. The pearls are a little smaller than usual, but a perfect balance between chewy and soft. This drink is everything you’d want in a milk tea drink, and honestly, RMB 20 for it is pretty good.

Photos: Riley Xiong, Pixabay