Pregnant and Can’t Drink Alcohol?

No matter what you call it, “Sober Curious”, ‘Alcohol Free”, “Mindful Drinking”, or just plain “Pregnant and Can’t Drink”, there’s an alcohol-free movement happening. People’s reasons for abstaining from alcohol can vary. Of course, pregnancy, and being alcohol-free, most definitely go together, like it or not. And what’s great to know is that there are now so many options out there for you to celebrate the holidays with a tasty non-alcoholic drink.

So Many Opportunities to Raise a Glass & Say “Cheers”

It’s December as I write this, so I’m well-aware that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, there are way too many opportunities to want to lift a celebratory glass of alcohol and say, “Cheers”. It doesn’t stop there! New Year’s resolutions come into the scene and you might want to lose a few pounds, clean up your act, be healthier. It just goes on and on. Lent, bathing suit season, special occasion, anyone?

Feeling Left Out of the Fun?

If you’re feeling left out of the “fun”, there are some great choices for those of you who can’t drink because you’re pregnant. Others may have decided that a night off from drinking might be a healthy idea. What’s the point of eating all that kale and quinoa if you’re going to drink all those glasses of wine before bed time? Still, others are exploring a more mindful way of drinking, or a totally sober life style. And now that marijuana is legal in some states, some people only want to indulge in a bit of THC and no alcohol.

“Woke”

Just do a search of “Mindful Drinking”. You’ll find article after article describing this new movement spurred on mostly by millennials. Millennials are clearly “woke” about the subject of alcohol. You might be thinking, “Okay, Boomer!” But there’s truly a change in the way people are approaching their drinking lifestyles from just moderating and being mindful, to being totally sober. Whatever the motivation, people are just searching for a healthier lifestyle. People are “thirsty” for a new approach. Okay, I’m done using the millennial terminology! Below, are some examples of where this new movement started. Look at the popularity of a few books published in just the past two years.

What is “AF”? (Millennials, it’s not what you think)

You can have a look at Pinterest and find all kinds of alcohol free “mocktails”. Or you can start with these alcohol – free products. There are AF (alcohol free) wines, beers, kombucha, whiskey, gin. You name it. Someone is brewing it!

10 Alcohol – Free Drinks

These are my affiliate links (if it doesn’t sell on Amazon, there is no link):

Seedlip Drinks – non-alcoholic distilled beverages using herbs and spices
Kin Euphorics– made from adaptogens (Adaptogens are non-toxic plants that are marketed as helping the body resist stressors of all kinds), nootropics (are drugs, supplements, and other substances that may improve cognitive function), and botanics.
Curious Elixirs are booze-free craft cocktails made from spices, herbs, roots, barks, and botanicals.
Ariel Vineyards – de-alcoholized wines
Gruvi – Craft brewed non-alcohol beer and Prosecco
WellBeing Brewing Company – solely dedicated to non-alcoholic craft beer (by law non-alcoholic beer must contain .5% or less alcohol)
The Twisted Shrub – Mixers for any drinks with or without alcohol that combine the healthful benefits of apple cider vinegar and fruit and sugar.
Calvit’s Shrubs – Mixers for craft cocktails with or without alcohol.
Tealixir – Plant-based kombucha, fermented tea with very little sugar, contains .5% alcohol (similar to non-alcohol beer).
Ritual Zero Proof – The taste, smell, and sensation of traditional spirits — without the alcohol or calories.

As with everything you eat and drink in pregnancy, read the labels, check the ingredients, consult with your doctor, midwife, certified herbalist, and do your research before imbibing.

Making a Baby & Raising a Glass!

There’s no better time to make a baby and be able to celebrate and raise your glass with the rest of the folks. “Cheers!” As a result of the movement towards Mindful Drinking or the Sober Curious life, there will probably be more choices in years to come. But the list above is a darn good start, especially if you’re expecting a baby. You pregnant non-drinking mommies have quite a lot of good choices if you don’t want to only drink water, club soda, or a sugary drink while everyone around you is enjoying a cocktail.

Be An Expert “Mocktail” Mixologist

You can create your own AF drinks too. Just look on Pinterest. But, if you’re like me and aren’t so good at creating your own “mocktails”, here are a few good books that make you look like a pro mixologist: