“Matcha is definitely safe during pregnancy, but it’s important to remember that it also contains caffeine,” says Registered dietitian and family nutritionist Nishta Saxena. While a cup of regular green tea has about 30 mg of caffeine, as Saxena points out, matcha is naturally more concentrated and different brands and baristas may also use different concentrations.
So the amount of caffeine in a serving of matcha could be between 30 and 80 miligrams of caffeine.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, those who are pregnant should keep their caffeine intake to less than 300 mg a day. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests keeping it below 200 mg a day. That’s why it’s important to read labels, ask questions and consider your serving size. Are you ordering a tall or a venti?
Saxena also adds that while green tea, like matcha, has many health benefits, it’s important to look at how you’re consuming it.
“Are you getting it with whipped cream or flavored syrups? In that case, it’s dessert. And there’s nothing wrong with dessert,” she says, “but it’s something to consider for those watching their blood sugar or dealing with gestational diabetes.”
Benefits of matcha during pregnancy
If you’re going to consume caffeine, green tea products are a pretty good way to do it. Green tea leaves are naturally loaded with antioxidants that can decrease inflammation—think of those swollen ankles.
And this frothy tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that not only promotes relaxation but helps you feel more alert without the startling effects of caffeine that plague coffee drinkers. So it might be worth keeping that matcha habit after birth to deal with the brain fog that comes with having a newborn.
The verdict
Green tea is safe for pregnancy in moderation. It still contains a moderate amount of caffeine, so you’ll need to stick to one or two cups a day and steer clear of sugary additions. While it’s certainly safe for most pregnant women to drink matcha tea, you should always consult with your doctor before making dietary changes.
Our favorite pregnancy-safe matcha teas to try now
Bloom Nutrition Matcha Green Tea Powder
Merchant
This organic whole green tea powder is affordable—a ceremonial-quality tea can cost a pretty penny—and reviewers say that it has a nice, mild taste. You can get around 100 cups out of this tin. It’s also great for adding to smoothies or smoothie bowls if you want try other ways to drink green tea.
To make a great cup of matcha, add a teaspoon of tea powder to half a cup of hot water and whisk vigorously or use a milk frother. You can then pour that frothy mixture over your favorite milk or add more hot water to taste.
