Caffeine - what do you think?

[FFC]

So while Matt and I are TTC and hopefully soon preggers, I'm staying off caffeine.

However, while I do drink a decaf coffee once in awhile... Matt is back to caffeine full force. I've been told (and I believe) that caffeine can reduce the fertility rate by a lot - like 50% in both a man and a woman. Now, I'm wondering what your thoughts are about caffeine and TTC, and caffeine and being pregnant.

:)

[WebLady]

Not sure about how it affects you TTC, but I have heard that pregnant women shouldn't have caffine at all.

In a quick search I found this -

a few studies have indicated that excessive consumption of caffeine (that is, more than three cups of drip coffee per day) may contribute to fertility problems. The jury is still out on this last point, however.
*source (http://www.having-a-baby.com/millenium.htm)*

I am certainly no expert on the subject, but to me if there is risk while pregant I would think it best to go ahead and cut back while TTC too.

I would consult a Dr to help figure how and what changes to make to best support your TTC efforts.

:goodluck:

[ikkin510]

From what i've read and heard, men shouldn't drink large amounts of caffeine, but some is ok.
As for while pregnant, As long as you aren't having a ton of caffeine, it's ok. I have a little here and there.

[gwenshack]

You know, it's like everything else - conflicting reports! I hate that! I went to do some research about it, because I had never heard anything about male fertility and caffeine so I thought "Hey, that's something I can read about while I sit here and dread going to the dentist in a little while..." And, of course, I find this saying caffeine HELPS male fertility

http://www.ivfplus40.com/2008/09/caffeine-helps-male-fertility.html

and this saying it HINDERS

http://www.fertility.com/treatment/Enhance_Your_Well_being/Caffeine.jsp


Such a confusing muddled little world we live in...LOL...:fish: (I picked him as my smilie since we're talking about little swimmers...LOL)

[Danielle9608]

You are actually better off drinking non decaf then decaf coffee while pregnant but only a cup a day. The process to remove the caffeine from coffee is worse then the caffeine itself. Often times formaldehyde can be used, especially in the less expensive coffees such as dunkin donuts.

http://www.supplecity.com/articles/caffeine.htm

[Danielle9608]

Whoppies, forgot to answer the question. Yes, I have read caffeine can have negitive effects of TTC. I would limit your caffeine intake. But remember that TTC can take a long time, so you don't have to completely cut it out of your life.

[FFC]

Good stuff Danielle - I had no idea that formaldehyde is sometimes used!

I think I'll stick to hot chocolate LOL.

[Qtpie]

I had no idea about the formaldehyde either. I have been drinking decaf vanilla lattes at starbucks, I guess i will stick with hot chocolate or apple ciders from now on. I dont want to harm my little one.

[firespirit]

You are actually better off drinking non decaf then decaf coffee while pregnant but only a cup a day. The process to remove the caffeine from coffee is worse then the caffeine itself. Often times formaldehyde can be used, especially in the less expensive coffees such as dunkin donuts.

http://www.supplecity.com/articles/caffeine.htm

Edit: Nevermind. I read it in the article... It says to contact the company if you have questions.

[Brian's Bride]

I'm PG and still have an occasional coffee. I guess I feel like it's "everything in moderation." Still eat chocolate, cold cuts, soft serve ice cream. My doctor said it was okay!

[firespirit]

I'm PG and still have an occasional coffee. I guess I feel like it's "everything in moderation." Still eat chocolate, cold cuts, soft serve ice cream. My doctor said it was okay!


The cold cuts thing was news to me when I first read that. I don't remember being told to stay away from those at all when I was PG 15 years ago. I honestly don't remember if I ate any, I wasn't a big sandwich person back then so it's very possible I didn't eat them anyway...

[ikkin510]

I swear, every doctor is different with what they tell you that you can and can not eat. I'm not suppose to have cold cuts, but the soft ice cream and limited caffeine is ok. Another thing some doctors tell you to stay away from is peanuts. Although mine is ok with me having them.

[Brian's Bride]

Yeah, my doc said cold cuts from Subway or other sandwich shops and grocery stores are okay because they're refrigerated and fresh. And to stay away from that street vendor that's selling sandwiches on the corner (I've never seen one of those anyways...) Something about cold cuts having lysteria, but really, ANYBODY can get lysteria from the cold cuts, not just PG people. That's why I don't understand why they don't give everyone that warning. I remember my SIL being a freak about microwaving her cold cuts before eating them and IMO it was just over the top.

[moonrai1980]

I used to go to starbucks twice a day for a large coffee and while i was working the night shift i would drink a whole pot of coffee. But as soon as i found out i was pregnant i got down to one cup per day, until one night i craved it and drank a whole pot and went into labor at work. So i would think a cup or two would be ok just not in excess. I also conceived my son while i was on the pill that i took at the same time of day everyday.

[moonrai1980]

Good stuff Danielle - I had no idea that formaldehyde is sometimes used!

I think I'll stick to hot chocolate LOL.

I learned in a science class that stuff like aspertain aspartme sweet n low and other sugar like product turn into formaldehyde at 98.6 degrees. So i try to stay away from those things. And the U.S.A is one of the few countries that allow it to be sold and marketed. whereas other countries won't sell it because it is an excitotoxins.

[sandy03]

I think every doctor will tell you something different about what you can and can't have, which makes me think that you can have a little bit of just about anything. I think the time you really have to be the most careful is the first trimester, so cutting back while you're TTC is the best idea. DH and I don't drink much coffee and I've really cut back on the sodas since we got married so hopefully when we reach that point it won't really involve much of a change for us!

[LuLu86]

You are actually better off drinking non decaf then decaf coffee while pregnant but only a cup a day. The process to remove the caffeine from coffee is worse then the caffeine itself. Often times formaldehyde can be used, especially in the less expensive coffees such as dunkin donuts.

http://www.supplecity.com/articles/caffeine.htm

Im really glad u posted this. I was thinking bout switching to decaf while were ttc. THANKS!!

[LuLu86]

I learned in a science class that stuff like aspertain aspartme sweet n low and other sugar like product turn into formaldehyde at 98.6 degrees. So i try to stay away from those things. And the U.S.A is one of the few countries that allow it to be sold and marketed. whereas other countries won't sell it because it is an excitotoxins.

I agree with this. I try not to drink brown sodas anyway. I got an email one time about how bad coke is. The fire department uses it to clean up highways after wrecks. If u leave a steak in a tub of coke itll be dissolved in like 2 weeks or something. I dont wanna put that in my body, let alone my babys.

PS. Im an avid drinker of diet green tea. I just read it has aspertame too!!!

[FFC]

I have, over the past month, steered away from diet sodas. I have been reading labels to avoid aspartamine as well. ALSO! I like those little mix ins that I can put in my water at work - MOST of those have aspartamine in them - such as Crystal Light and the calorie free drinks.

I did find that the Propel mix ins do not have aspartamine in them and they're yummy so I've been drinking them like crazy.

[Goin2thechapel]

I have, over the past month, steered away from diet sodas. I have been reading labels to avoid aspartamine as well. ALSO! I like those little mix ins that I can put in my water at work - MOST of those have aspartamine in them - such as Crystal Light and the calorie free drinks.

I did find that the Propel mix ins do not have aspartamine in them and they're yummy so I've been drinking them like crazy.

Actually, in preliminary studies they state that artificial sweetners (once thought to cause Autism) are okay during pregnancy...HOWEVER, my doc told me to steer clear of atrificial sweetners. I'm assuming this is a doctor's preference....

[firespirit]

I have, over the past month, steered away from diet sodas. I have been reading labels to avoid aspartamine as well. ALSO! I like those little mix ins that I can put in my water at work - MOST of those have aspartamine in them - such as Crystal Light and the calorie free drinks.

I did find that the Propel mix ins do not have aspartamine in them and they're yummy so I've been drinking them like crazy.

So I hate to break it to you, but the Propel I've seen contains sucralose, which is still an artificial sweetener. Here's an article on that http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20050216/dietitians-say-splenda-not-same-as-sugar.

Sucralose is made by replacing sugar atoms with atoms from chlorine...

I just try to stay away from any artifical sweetener as much as possible so I always read the ingredients list. I just don't like the idea of artificial sweeteners in general. I also prefer sugar is used as a sweetener over corn syrup.

[FFC]

So I hate to break it to you, but the Propel I've seen contains sucralose, which is still an artificial sweetener. Here's an article on that http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20050216/dietitians-say-splenda-not-same-as-sugar.

Sucralose is made by replacing sugar atoms with atoms from chlorine...

I just try to stay away from any artifical sweetener as much as possible so I always read the ingredients list. I just don't like the idea of artificial sweeteners in general. I also prefer sugar is used as a sweetener over corn syrup.

Thanks. I am not sure I've heard of sucralose, and I didn't know Propel had artificial sweetener in it. Oh well... I guess it's not as bad as aspartamine though.

[firespirit]

Thanks. I am not sure I've heard of sucralose, and I didn't know Propel had artificial sweetener in it. Oh well... I guess it's not as bad as aspartamine though.

Splenda is the brand name for sucralose.