Can You Drink Non-Alcoholic Beer While Pregnant?

We all know that alcohol and pregnancy do not go together.

So if you love cracking open a cold one with your friends, a non-alcoholic beer seems like an obvious choice for these next nine months.

But can you drink non-alcoholic beer while pregnant?

Let’s take a closer look.

In this article: 📝

What is non-alcoholic beer?

“Non-alcoholic beer” is actually an official term used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to refer to beers that contain no more than 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume).

(By comparison, typical alcoholic beer has about 5% ABV.)

So yes, you’re reading that right — non-alcoholic beer still has a tiny bit of alcohol in it.

The beers with the lowest amount of alcohol are called “alcohol-free.”

Technically, they still have trace amounts of alcohol in them, but the amount is so low that it’s almost undetectable.

Can you drink non-alcoholic beer while pregnant?

Choosing a non-alcoholic beer in pregnancy seems a natural choice since it’s “non-alcoholic.”

Right?

A study that tested the alcohol levels of NA beers has results that might make you rethink reaching for the NA beer.

Of the 45 different beverages claiming to have no or low alcohol content, 13 of them contained more alcohol than their labels declared.

Six of the ones that claimed to contain no alcohol actually contained more than 1%.

How is non-alcoholic beer made?

Non-alcoholic beer is made using the same ingredients as traditional beer, but the process is a little different.

The alcohol content is minimized in one of a few different ways.

A commonly used method is to use filtration and evaporation at the end of the brewing process to remove the alcohol.

Another is a new technique called restricted alcohol fermentation, where brewers use a special yeast that makes very little alcohol during fermentation.

And now for the big question:

Can you drink NA beer while pregnant?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

While there hasn’t been much research done on drinking NA beer during pregnancy, the general advice is to not drink any alcohol.

(And also to avoid or limit drinking if you’re trying to conceive.)

Alcohol passes through the umbilical cord to the baby and can cause a number of health concerns such as growth problems, low birthweight, central nervous system problems and, in severe cases, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Is Heineken 0.0 actually alcohol-free?

Heineken 0.0 contains a trace amount of alcohol, which ranges from 0.01 to 0.03% AVB.

That’s about the same alcohol content as food products like some bread, fruits, and juices.

Other options for non-alcoholic beers are Beck’s Blue and Bitburger Drive, which both have 0.05%.

And topping the alcohol-free charts is Budweiser Prohibition Brew with 0% alcohol.

So can you drink Heineken 0.0 when pregnant?

Most non-alcoholic beers have some alcohol, albeit small amounts — but it’s still best to steer clear for now.

It is not worth the potential risks the small amount of alcohol can have on the baby.

Can you drink alcohol-free drinks while pregnant?

Luckily, there are other options when you’re looking for other booze-free beverages which are actually free of alcohol.

There are some alcohol-free proseccos and wines.

Or you can drink sparkling grape juice.

Another great option is to make yourself mocktails.

A great tip for elevating any drink is to drink it out of a good glass.

Drinking anything out of a champagne flute is going to make you feel like it’s something special.

If you’re finding yourself eager to de-stress with a NA beer, there are other ways.

Pregnancy stress and anxiety is a real thing, and it’s best approached with healthy strategies such as yoga and meditation, exercise (like dancing, swimming, and walking), good sleep practices, journalling, and others.

So, that’s it, the lowdown on non-alcoholic beers.

You might want to think twice before cracking that NA beer, just for a few more months.

And if you need support along the way, your Peanut community is here for you.