Is decaf safe?

[DevaMajka]

Mine is organic and water process decaffinated, if that makes a difference. I really enjoy my decaf coffee!! I have about 3 cups a day- with milk and sugar. I know that sugar is not good, but I'm cutting back on sugar in my coffee, and have had surprisingly few cravings for sweets so far this pregnancy. So I think I'm ok for sugar in general.

[tracymom1]

Why wouldn't it be safe? Not being snarky-just curious. I don't drink coffee in pregnancy because my reflux is outrageous and it makes it soooooo much worse. But I do dream of the day when I can have a hot cup with cream and sugar and cinnamon. Yum!!!

[Drummer's Wife]

Sounds just fine to me.  But then, I drank a cup of coffee a day - regular - during all four pregnancies.

[tourist.]

Water processed decaf is probably the best kind of decaf available (I get the CO2 processed coffee).  Typically though, decaf coffee is decaffinated using potentially harmful chemicals.  A bunch of information can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decaffeination

If I'm out and about I will get regular coffee vs decaf because of the chemicals typically used.

[imogenlily]

My Dr. and midwives say a cup a day of regular coffee is fine, so I can't see why decaf wouldn't be.

[Kedrosami]

I found this: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/caffeine.html which says that the less caffeine you have the better, and that 150-300 milligrams/day is "safe." I would play it safe and aim to keep it under 150.

According to this: http://coffeefaq.com/site/node/50 decaf has 2-4 milligrams per cup. I assume cup means 8 oz. So even if you're drinking 3 large "cups" a day, that would still be under 24 milligrams/day...that is if you also are avoiding sodas, etc. Definitely "safe" levels of caffeine!

I would be careful to make sure it's always decaffeinated via the water process, for sure. Enjoy your decaf!

FYI I always sweeten mine with a bit of honey--healthier than sugar and really yummy! It might take a little getting used to the flavor but you might like it! There's also stevia and other alternatives.

[DevaMajka]

I'll have to try honey- it might be interesting!

 

Originally Posted by tracymom1 

Why wouldn't it be safe? Not being snarky-just curious.

 

I don't know.  It just seemed like something that I should check on. lol

[tracymom1]

Yeah, I had not even thought about the chemical processing to make it decaf! I mean, in some distant part of my brain I knew there was some nasty process involved, but it would have to take a thread like this to revive it!!

[QueenEsther]

Oh, try sweetening it with pure maple syrup!! The flavors goes soooooo much better with coffee than honey, IMO. Also, add in cinnamon and fresh grated nutmeg - made into a latte and it is extremely tasty!

[amyjoyce79]

I missed my coffee so much during the first 12 weeks of my pregnancy! I couldn't even drink decaf because of the nausea. Now it's amazing how much a cup of good decaf can perk me up even without the caffeine!

[HappyMamaBeth]

Originally Posted by tracymom1 

Yeah, I had not even thought about the chemical processing to make it decaf! I mean, in some distant part of my brain I knew there was some nasty process involved, but it would have to take a thread like this to revive it!!

Um yeah... here I am 33 weeks pregnant and I've been drinking decaf the entire time.    Can anyone recommend a good coffee that is decaffeinated by the water process?  Can I find that at a grocery store or will I need to order it online?  (I do have Sprouts here if anyone is familiar with that store.. I might check there.)

[imogenlily]

Originally Posted by HappyMamaBeth 

Um yeah... here I am 33 weeks pregnant and I've been drinking decaf the entire time.    Can anyone recommend a good coffee that is decaffeinated by the water process?  Can I find that at a grocery store or will I need to order it online?  (I do have Sprouts here if anyone is familiar with that store.. I might check there.)

Beth, any organic coffee will have been decaffeinated by the water process rather than the chemical process. They can't keep organic certification if they use the chemical process. ;-) My DH is a coffee roaster.

[DevaMajka]

Originally Posted by imogenlily 

Beth, any organic coffee will have been decaffeinated by the water process rather than the chemical process. They can't keep organic certification if they use the chemical process. ;-) My DH is a coffee roaster.

That's really good to know! Lots of shops around here serve organic coffee, so now I feel good getting the decaf :)

[HappyMamaBeth]

Originally Posted by imogenlily 

Beth, any organic coffee will have been decaffeinated by the water process rather than the chemical process. They can't keep organic certification if they use the chemical process. ;-) My DH is a coffee roaster.

Thank you so much for the info!