Celebrity-endorsed Erewhon smoothies are one of those favorites that consumers keep coming back for, despite their high price tag. In case you missed it in FYP, the supermarket chain’s extensive list of smoothies includes Hailey Bieber’s Strawberry Glazed Skincare Smoothie (made with collagen and seaweed) and Sofia Richie’s Sweet Cherry Smoothie (made with cow’s colostrum). The drinks are known for their unique ingredients, fun flavors, and beautiful appearance, but these unconventional recipes have some questioning whether Erewhon smoothies are safe to drink during pregnancy.
“But that’s crazy because smoothies are not safe for pregnant women,” internet personality Trisha Paytas said during an April episode of the “Cancelled” podcast starring Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield. Paytas explained that she reached out to Olivia Rodrigo in December 2023 about the safety of her “Good for Your Gut” smoothie to find out if she could try it herself while pregnant. In response to her Instagram comment, Erewhon wrote, “Your health and safety is our number one priority, so please feel free to consult a medical professional for personal advice,” adding, “Sea buckthorn and maca are generally not recommended for pregnant women.” Erewhon did not respond to PS’s request for comment.
For Paytas, the response was disheartening: “I was like, if you can’t have it when you’re pregnant, why would you want to have it when you’re not pregnant?” To better understand the issue, we asked board-certified pediatricians and neonatologists whether Erewhon smoothies are safe to drink during pregnancy.
Experts featured in this article:
Jessica Madden, MD, IBCLC, is a board-certified pediatrician and neonatologist and medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps.
Are Erewhon Smoothies Safe During Pregnancy?
The good news is that most of Erewhon’s smoothie staples seem to be okay to use during pregnancy (but always consult your doctor for personal medical advice). That said, Jessica Madden, MD, IBCLC, advises against taking herbal supplements during pregnancy. “There hasn’t been enough research done on the safety of herbal supplements during pregnancy, and we know that some herbs have been linked to premature birth, bleeding, and changes in hormone levels,” says Dr. Madden. “If you’re thinking about taking herbal supplements during pregnancy, I recommend talking to your obstetrician or midwife beforehand.” Incidentally, both maca and sea buckthorn (which Erewhon flagged Paytas on Instagram) are considered herbal supplements. According to the American Pregnancy Association, herbal supplements that are not safe during pregnancy (depending on how they’re used) include:
- Saw Palmetto
- Goldenseal
- Dong Quai
- Black & Blue Cohosh
- Ephedra
- Passion Flower
- Yohimbe
- Pennyroyal
- Pay d’Arco
- Roman Chamomile
The tricky thing about the “superfoods” used in Erewhon smoothies is that they could be considered herbal supplements, depending on the dose (even everyday ingredients like ginger, turmeric, rosemary, and garlic can be used as herbal supplements in high doses). In general, Dr. Madden recommends talking to your doctor before taking any supplements during pregnancy, even if you’re just putting them in a smoothie. If you have a particular favorite smoothie, it’s also a good idea to have the ingredients checked out at your next appointment. The bottom line? “If you’re unsure if a supplement is safe during pregnancy, avoid it,” says Dr. Madden.
Are Erewhon Smoothies safe while breastfeeding?
There are a few caveats when it comes to Erewhon smoothies and breast-feeding. Similarly, “the base ingredients in Erewhon smoothies (almond milk, fruits and vegetables, spirulina, and collagen) appear to be safe while breastfeeding,” says Dr. Madden. However, she doesn’t recommend adding herbal supplements while breastfeeding, due to the possibility that they may pass into breast milk and the lack of research on the effects. “Avoid adding an espresso shot, as caffeine has been shown to pass into breast milk and make babies irritable and unable to sleep well,” she adds.
Once you have your doctor’s clearance, there is a way to modify your Erewhon smoothie to suit your needs: When ordering online, you can enter a list of specific ingredients you’d like removed, or you can request modifications directly.
Chandler Plant is an Assistant Editor at PS Health & Fitness. Previously, she worked as an Editorial Assistant at People magazine and was a contributor to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. In her spare time, she creates and shares content online about chronic illness, beauty, and disability.
