Pregnancy Made Me a Lemonade Addict—and Now My Friend’s Hooked Too

Let me tell you something wild. During my pregnancy, I lived for lemonade. Not just any lemonade—ice cold, lip-puckering, borderline-too-tart but still scrumptiously sweet, lemonade. Raspberry-lemonade, strawberry lemonade, blueberry lemonade, it didn't matter. The more the better. As long as the lemon was in there and it was FRESH squeezed, I'd take one... or sometimes three.

I craved it so much, I started joking that my baby would come out smelling like citrus and demanding Chick-fil-A’s lemonade straight from the bottle.

Fast forward to now: I’m not pregnant anymore, but my friend just entered her third trimester, and guess what she told me the other day?“I can’t stop drinking lemonade. What is happening?!” Girl. Welcome to the club!

So… Why Lemonade?

Pregnancy cravings are real—and weird. Some of us want pickles and ice cream. Some want crunchy ice, clay, or even soap (yes, that’s a thing—hi pica). And some of us? We want lemonade like it’s the nectar of life.

Here’s what might be going on:

1. Your body’s asking for hydration + electrolytes.

Lemonade is water-based and contains some natural electrolytes from the lemon juice (especially if it’s fresh). During pregnancy, blood volume increases significantly, which means staying hydrated is crucial. Your body might be saying, “Hey! I need more fluids and a zesty kick to go with it.”

2. Nausea relief.

Lemons are known to ease morning sickness. That sour, citrusy punch can settle an uneasy stomach—especially during the first trimester. So if lemonade was the only thing that didn’t make you gag, you’re not alone.

3. Vitamin C boost.

Pregnant bodies need more vitamin C to help absorb iron and support fetal development. While lemonade isn’t a miracle supplement, that lemon juice might be your body’s subtle way of getting what it needs.

4. Your taste buds are on a wild ride.

Pregnancy can completely change your sense of taste and smell. Things you used to love might smell like trash, and things you never noticed suddenly become obsessions. Sour and tart flavors—like those in lemonade—often become strangely satisfying during this hormonal rollercoaster.

The “Lemonade Effect”: A Sisterhood of Citrus

The best part? I thought my lemonade obsession was a one-time fluke. But now, watching my friend go through the same thing, I realize: maybe lemonade is our pregnancy love language.

There’s something deeply comforting (and slightly hilarious) about seeing the same cravings show up in our circle of moms. It’s like a citrus-scented rite of passage.

So Mama, Listen to Your Body.

Whether you’re craving lemonade, watermelon, olives, or peanut butter straight from the jar—trust your body.

Pregnancy cravings aren’t random nonsense. Your body is whispering to you (or screaming, let’s be real) about what it wants. Sometimes it’s nutrients. Sometimes it’s comfort. Sometimes it’s just something that tastes really freaking good in that moment.

As long as your cravings are safe, go for it. You're doing an incredible, magical, exhausting, mind-blowing thing—growing life. That deserves a cold glass of lemonade. Or seven.