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Cacao benefits | Cacao nutrition | Cacao practitioner | Cacao pregnancy | Ceremonial cacao | Coffee to cacao | Love
Pregnancy is an initiation—a rite of passage that invites profound physical and psychological changes. As women step into motherhood, they often experience a whirlwind of emotions: excitement, joy, ambivalence, anxiety, and fear, all alongside physical challenges like morning sickness, insomnia, and those mysterious cravings!
When navigating pregnancy, one of the first questions many women ask is, "What can I eat?" Ceremonial Cacao, a beloved superfood and ancient ally, is becoming a go-to for many, but is it safe during pregnancy? If you’re already enjoying Keith’s Cacao, you probably know that the ultimate decision rests with your body—it will guide you. However, let’s explore what science, ancient traditions, and modern experiences tell us.
Not all cacao is created equal. Many commercial varieties, even those labeled organic, can contain higher levels of caffeine. In contrast, Keith’s Cacao consistently tests low in caffeine, making it a safe choice for those expecting.
Pregnant women are often advised to avoid caffeine. Keith’s Cacao provides a gentle energy boost without the jitters of coffee or sugary snacks. It’s packed with nutrients, including magnesium, theobromine, and antioxidants, which can offer significant support throughout pregnancy.
The first trimester can bring a host of changes, with many women experiencing nausea, morning sickness, constipation, fatigue, and a range of food cravings and aversions. Among the cravings, a desire for chocolate isn’t uncommon. But doctors often recommend avoiding refined sugar during pregnancy due to its low nutritional value and potential to increase the risk of gestational diabetes.
This is where ceremonial cacao shines. Unlike sugary snacks, ceremonial cacao is a powerful, nutrient-rich superfood that can help curb sugar cravings, support healthy weight gain, and combat fatigue. It does this by regulating metabolism and providing a steady source of energy.
Cacao is packed with phytonutrients and healthy chemicals, including magnesium and theobromine. These elements help regulate energy more gently and sustainably than sugar or caffeine, making cacao an excellent alternative to coffee. Theobromine, in particular, provides a slow, sustained release of energy, helping to keep you alert without the jitters that come with caffeine.
Additionally, cacao has several benefits for pregnant women, especially in the first trimester:
However, if you're new to Cacao, it’s a good idea to introduce it gradually into your diet as your pregnancy progresses. Start slow and listen to your body to see how it responds.
The second trimester is often referred to as the "honeymoon period" of pregnancy, as many women experience a sense of renewed energy and well-being. It’s a time when you may feel your best, but it also brings new considerations and concerns.
One of the most significant concerns during this time is preeclampsia, which can develop in the second half of pregnancy (typically after 20 weeks). Although the exact cause of preeclampsia remains unclear, it’s believed to occur when there are issues with the placenta, the organ that links the baby’s blood supply to the mother’s.
Cacao has been shown to have a positive impact on both placental function and fetal development. This is why regular consumption of Keith's Cacao can help reduce the risk of preeclampsia by up to 70%. The flavanols in Keith's Cacao support blood vessel health, improving circulation and supporting the overall health of the placenta and fetus.
Another concern in the second trimester is leg cramps, which are often linked to deficiencies in calcium or magnesium. Thankfully, cacao is one of the best natural sources of magnesium and also contains significant amounts of calcium, helping to reduce the likelihood of leg cramps and discomfort during pregnancy.
As fetal development accelerates during this stage, cacao’s nutrient profile becomes even more crucial. It is rich in flavanols, as well as essential minerals such as copper, calcium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, sulfur, potassium, and iron. These nutrients are vital for the baby’s growth and development, making cacao a valuable ally during this important phase of pregnancy.
Click on the video below to learn about Daniella Moyles's journey with Keith's Cacao during her pregnancy.
The third trimester of pregnancy brings new physical and emotional challenges. As your baby grows, your body carries a heavier load, sleep can become elusive, and feelings of anticipation—or anxiety—around labor and birth often rise to the surface.
This is where Keith’s Cacao can be a trusted ally.
Rich in magnesium, Keith’s Cacao supports relaxation of both the muscular and nervous systems, making it easier to release tension and slip into restful sleep. Magnesium also plays a vital role in preparing the body for labor by promoting calm, steady muscle function.
Beyond the physical, cacao's impact on mental well-being is just as profound. The natural flavanols in Keith’s Cacao help ease exhaustion and lower stress levels. Polyphenols work to increase feelings of calmness and contentment, while phenylethylamine (often called the "love molecule") and anandamide ("the bliss chemical") gently lift mood, creating a sense of emotional balance during this final stretch.
Pregnancy is a time of profound transformation—and with Keith’s Cacao, you have a nourishing, natural support system to help you meet it with calm, clarity, and strength.
Click on the video below to learn about Laura Durban's journey with Keith's Cacao during her pregnancy.
While cacao supports mothers beautifully throughout pregnancy, it’s often around childbirth that "Mama Cacao" truly shines.
Throughout history, cacao has been revered for its powerful connection to birth and motherhood. In Chocolate in Mesoamerica: A Cultural History of Cacao, we learn that the San Blas Indians of Panama used the pulp of cacao pods to aid child delivery, while the Seringueiros of Acre in Brazil crafted medicinal bark infusions for women immediately after giving birth. Another ancient tradition speaks of cacao as a natural supporter of breast milk production—so much so that midwives were often depicted carrying cacao beans as a symbol of their sacred role.
Today, in Guatemala, cacao remains an essential part of an indigenous midwife’s medicine chest, used both for birthing women and for the midwives themselves to replenish energy after long labors.
In preparation for labor, cacao helps release the "love hormones"—oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin—that allow the body to relax, open, and surrender to the miracle of birth. Keith’s Cacao Practitioner and Birth. Doula Grace Hall often recommends introducing cacao into the diet around 36–37 weeks of pregnancy. Packed with nutrients, Keith’s Cacao helps expecting moms recover from the monumental work of growing a new life, offering them a deep reserve of energy, clarity, and calm to move gracefully into the nesting stage.
Cacao’s support doesn’t end with birth. Grace also incorporates cacao into her postpartum rituals to ease separation anxiety, support milk production, and soften the emotional shifts that come with new motherhood. These rituals honor not just the baby’s arrival into the world, but the mother’s own profound transition into a new chapter of life.
In the Western world, nursing mothers are often warned that chocolate can make babies irritable or fussy because of its caffeine content. And that may be true—for most chocolate.
Keith’s Cacao, however, contains less caffeine than a cup of decaffeinated coffee. If you’ve been enjoying Keith’s Cacao during pregnancy, there’s no reason to stop once your baby arrives. In fact, there’s every reason to continue.
Cacao increases the release of oxytocin in the brain—the "love hormone" essential for milk production and the deep bonding that comes with breastfeeding. Across South and Mesoamerica, cacao has long been considered a galactagogue—a substance that supports and enhances milk supply. In Mexico, for example, traditional wisdom encourages new mothers to drink atole—a nourishing blend of cornmeal or oatmeal, cacao, and a local sweetener—to support lactation.
Keith’s Cacao offers even more:
As always, your body—and your baby—are your best guides. Start with a small amount of Keith’s Cacao, notice how you both feel, and adjust as needed.
Happy mamas help grow happy—and healthy—babies.
A study published in Early Human Development (vol 76, p 139) found that babies born to women who ate chocolate daily during pregnancy were more active and "positively reactive", displaying more smiles, laughter, and joy. Even more fascinating, the study also showed that babies of stressed mothers who consumed chocolate regularly were less fearful of new situations compared to those whose mothers had abstained.
Science continues to affirm that a mother’s emotional wellbeing deeply shapes her baby’s developing brain. Maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy have been linked to emotional and behavioral challenges later in childhood.
Enter cacao—one of nature’s safest, gentlest mood enhancers.
Keith’s Cacao offers support on a physical, emotional, and energetic level, helping mothers feel more connected, calm, and resilient during the incredible journey of becoming a parent. Mama Cacao has been a nurturing ally for thousands of years—ready to take you by the hand, with warmth, strength, and a lot of love.
As always, we encourage you to listen to your body’s wisdom and consult your trusted medical practitioner or holistic health team if you have any questions about incorporating Keith’s Cacao during pregnancy and childbirth.
In this beautiful season of transformation, let Mama Cacao walk with you.
