Prenatal vitamin supplements are crucial in supporting the health of expectant mothers and their developing babies. While overall diet is most important and should be the priority, prenatal vitamins are still essential. These specially formulated supplements have been designed to fill the gaps, providing essential nutrients that might be lacking in a woman’s diet during pregnancy. These supplements feature vitamins and minerals like folate, magnesium, and calcium.
There are many prenatal vitamin options on the market today, so it is understandable to seek guidance on something you take daily. Prenatal vitamins now come in various forms, including capsule, powder, and even gummy forms. Gummies may be an appealing choice for those who have trouble swallowing pills, experience morning sickness, or prefer this option for another reason.
So, in this post, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about prenatal vitamin gummies. Are they just a tasty alternative fad, or can they genuinely meet the needs of pregnant women to support a healthy pregnancy? Find out more below.
Are Prenatal Gummy Vitamins Effective?
A Complete Breakdown
It depends!
Gummy prenatal vitamins can be an effective way to support meeting nutrients during pregnancy. However, whether or not they are the best choice for you depends on your overall diet, preferences, budget, health history, labs, and more.
Supplementation, whether gummies or not, is individualized. Additionally, brands vary in their nutrients and dosages. While most companies aim for their gummies to contain all the important things you need, like folate, magnesium, and calcium, gummy vitamins generally will not contain the same levels of certain nutrients as traditional capsules.
It’s also important to know that gummy vitamins often contain added sugars. This doesn’t mean they can’t be an option, but it’s something to consider when assessing your overall intake.
There are also advantages. These sweetened gummies typically have a yummy taste and may make taking your vitamins more tolerable. This is especially true when morning sickness hits and you’re battling nausea and aversions.
If you actually enjoy taking your vitamins, it’s more likely that you will remain consistent. So, even if there are potential nutritional drawbacks, it may be a worthwhile option for you, and you can make up your nutrients by eating a healthy, balanced diet. If you’re struggling with what to eat during pregnancy, The Prenatal Nutrition Library App will be your best friend – full of meal plans and trusted dietitian guidance at your fingertips whenever you need it.
Prenatal gummy vitamins can definitely be beneficial along with a well-balanced diet, but it’s super important to choose high-quality products that meet your specific nutritional needs. It’s all about knowing what to look for in your prenatal vitamin in relation to your personal preferences and health considerations. Speaking with your healthcare provider can help ensure that any supplement you choose is right for you.
How Do Prenatal Gummy Vitamins Work?
Prenatal gummy vitamins or vitamin supplements, in general, incorporate several nutrients taken from various sources, all in a “convenient” little package. They help fill in gaps to meet your essential nutrients that support maternal health and fetal development. They usually have a blend of vitamins and minerals, including folate, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and more. Some gummies contain DHA, which is a pro, even though it is likely not a significant amount.
One major advantage is that they taste good, making you more likely to take them! Their chewy texture makes them much more enjoyable, even for those experiencing an upset stomach or nausea during pregnancy. Regarding absorption, gummy vitamins are generally easy to digest and absorb.
However, most nutrients in a gummy prenatal vitamin are usually lower than those in a capsule or powder form. This is because they can’t “fit” the amount of each nutrient in a gummy without having a weird consistency and poor taste. The variety of nutrients may also be less than the other forms for the same reason. Consume plenty of nutrient-rich foods to meet your needs for all nutrients!
Best Gummy Prenatal Vitamins
Remember, YOUR best prenatal vitamin will depend on YOUR individualized needs. We can help you find the right option for you in The Prenatal Nutrition Library App. The following are some higher-quality, more well-rounded gummy options. No matter what prenatal vitamin you choose, I recommend selecting one that is third-party tested for purity and quality of ingredients.
SmartyPants Prenatal Gummy Vitamins
SmartyPants Prenatal Gummies are super well-known for their delicious taste and higher-quality forms of nutrients. These gummies contain essential nutrients such as folate, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and B12. What sets them apart from other prenatal gummy brands is the third-party testing, nutrient forms, and added DHA!
There are, of course, cons or things to note that are missing or low in this gummy prenatal vitamin, too. For example, this option is very low in choline and has no magnesium, calcium, or vitamin K2. It also doesn’t contain iron, which may or may not be a con for you. Not everyone needs to supplement with iron during pregnancy. It depends on your labs.
Seeking Health Prenatal Chewables
Seeking Health Prenatal Chewables have a great blend of vitamins and minerals tailored to pregnant women. It’s a well-respected brand that is third-party tested. Since they are chewable tablets rather than traditional gummies, they offer a higher amount and variety of nutrients. The nutrient facts are comparable to a well-rounded capsule or powder prenatal vitamin option.
Interestingly, they also don’t contain any added sugar. Instead, they are sweetened with monk fruit and xylitol. These prenatal chewable vitamins are missing choline. Since they contain only 1,000 IU of vitamin D, some individuals may need an additional supplement.
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Smarty Pants Organic Prenatal Multi & Omegas
Another Smarty Pants prenatal gummy vitamin makes the list! After some recent formulation changes, the nutrient profiles of the organic and non-organic options are fairly similar. However, there are a few differences. We will review those.
This one does have one more gram of added sugar per serving, slightly less vitamin B12, and less choline. Additionally, you’d want to remember that the omega-3 in the organic option is from flaxseed oil, so it is not a direct source of DHA. On the plus side, the organic option has vitamin K2 added, and the regular option does not.
Bonus (Powder Option!): Needed Prenatal Vitamin Powder
This one isn’t a gummy, but it is a form other than a capsule. It’s a powder. Like gummy options, a powder prenatal vitamin can be a tolerable choice when battling nausea or struggling to swallow capsules. The powder can be mixed into a smoothie, oatmeal, yogurt, and more.
The powder is easy to digest and absorb. It’s also high in several key nutrients for pregnancy. Overall, Needed’s prenatal powder is very comprehensive. Plus, it’s third-party tested for purity and quality of ingredients. That’s a win. If you’re looking into other form options for prenatal vitamins and haven’t considered a powder, check this one out.
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There is no one best prenatal vitamin choice for pregnancy!
Prenatal vitamins are great to have, but it’s more important to remember that they work best when paired with a well-rounded and balanced diet. If you want some help with your prenatal diet and nutrition, I’m here to help!
You can get a taste of what we offer with my FREE one-week meal plan. Also, sign up for The Prenatal Nutrition Library (TPNL) app! It’s the first comprehensive and searchable app for preconception through postpartum nutrition information. We offer evidence-based nutrition guides, meal plans, a Gestational Diabetes program, a private podcast, an Ask the Dietitian (RD) feature, and more. We can’t wait to see you inside!
Praise for The Prenatal Nutrition Library App! OBGYN recommended!
