Is Ritual Cacao suitable for pregnant women?
This is a frequently asked and hotly debated question, to which I cannot answer yes or no. It is often recommended that Ritual Cacao should not be consumed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is a very sensitive phase and if a woman wants to be careful, she will probably do without a few things.
I also drank Ritual Cacao in the first few weeks of my pregnancy. Some days I was even sick until I sat down to meditate with my cacao. After that I felt really good. From one day to the next I didn't feel like cacao anymore and didn't drink any more. In the 18th week of pregnancy I then once again took about 15-20 g of cacao a week. When we feel into our body and are connected to it, it usually tells us exactly what it needs - or doesn't want.
Challenges and fears in pregnancy
I've been drinking Ritual Cacao myself for 7 years and it helps me a lot to feel myself. Ritual Cacao is a wonderful tool, especially during pregnancy, when I want to get in touch with myself and the baby. In addition, we know that 100% cacao can have a positive effect on mood, which can be very helpful, especially during the intensive period of pregnancy with all the new challenges and fears. It's a bit up to everyone to weigh the benefits and the "risk" themselves.
What in the cacao could affect the pregnancy or the unborn child?
Like coffee, Ritual Cacao also contains caffeine. This is partially offset by the theobromine it contains. See also the blog post Cacao vs. Coffee - Which Kicks Better?
If you want to do without all invigorating substances during your pregnancy, Ritual Cacao is one of them.
Theobroma cacao
The theobromine contained in cacao can even be beneficial during pregnancy. Yale University published a study on the effects of theobromine on pregnant women. The result was that this substance significantly reduced the risk of pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure, swelling, protein in the urine).
Another study by scientists Saftglas et al. from 2010 confirms this result. Both studies found only positive effects of cacao for mother and child.
Cacao or chocolate?
Many women eat chocolate during pregnancy. Of course, cacao is also included here. In addition, however, a lot of industrial sugar, milk powder, stabilizers and other unnatural components. Going 100% cacao is a natural product with many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can cover the additional nutritional requirements during pregnancy.
Especially the pregnancy-related iron and magnesium deficiency can be compensated by the superfood cacao. Cacao contains large amounts of iron and magnesium. Not to forget the more than 300 other active ingredients ;-)
Summarized:
❉ Please note that Ritual Cacao contains caffeine.
❉ We recommend a lower dose of 15-20 g of cacao per 200/250 ml of liquid during pregnancy.
❉ Cacao is not recommended during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you already have experience and/or are well connected to yourself, feel for yourself what effects cacao has on you during this time.
❉ At the end of pregnancy, cacao can promote labor. If your baby is overdue, that can even be a positive thing ;-)
cacao and breastfeeding
Again, it's important to note that Ritual Cacao is a source of caffeine. With normal use of the drink, the nervous and cardiovascular systems are not overstrained. We recommend enjoying cacao after a breastfeeding unit. Again, self-responsibility applies here. How does the child behave when breastfeeding after mom has drunk cacao? Is the cacao moment so good for me that I relax as a result, which may have a positive effect on my baby?!
Here is a small testimonial from one of our customers:
"After the three months of being a mom, I started with a light dosage to see how my son reacts. I generally only drink Ritual Cacao after breastfeeding. But he tolerated it well, and I notice the positive effects on him too He is very relaxed and we are very closely connected. Even with two children, cacao always gives me peace and strength in everyday life and gives me a lot of lightness and at the same time a deep connection. In the meantime I drink cacao every day again and even now I notice it no signs my son is unwell, my older son was the same way three and a half years ago.
But I also think that the whole topic is super individual and that's how it went for us, because I already knew Ritual Cacao, know my body very well and know what's good for me and what's not and my two children are or were very insensitive when it comes to diseases, stomach ache etc. in infancy or toddler age." 🙏
I hope this post is helpful to you. It's often not black or white. Especially with this topic we would like to invite you to read the available information and also to make the best possible decision for you through self-reflection.
PS Feel free to listen to our Cacao Talk on "Cacao during pregnancy & breastfeeding". I invited Nicole & Jess and we talk about how cacao can work during pregnancy and breastfeeding and for conscious motherhood.
