Vegan Prenatal Vitamins: Are They Necessary and Which Are Best?

To put it mildly, raising another human being is difficult. Although, for many, pregnancy is a joyful and exciting time, it can also be emotionally and physically draining. Ultimately, as babies grow, they receive all their nutrition from the person carrying them. That’s why it’s important for pregnant people (and those who want to get pregnant) to take care of themselves as much as possible, and one way to do that is by taking prenatal vitamins. Here’s what you need to know about prenatal vitamins, including how safe they are, whether they’re vegan, and some of the best products on the market.

What are prenatal vitamins?

If you visit a pharmacy near you, you can probably find a range of prenatal vitamin options. They’re just like regular multivitamins, except they have an extra boost of nutrients you need more of when you’re pregnant, like folic acid and iron. “[Prenatal vitamins] Make sure moms get enough essential vitamins and minerals,” says Tok-Hui Yep RD, CSP, founder of Kinder Nutrition. “They support a healthy pregnancy for both mother and baby.”

Unsplash

Who should take prenatal vitamins?

Obviously, pregnant women should take prenatal vitamins. But as Yep points out, people who are trying to get pregnant should also consider taking them. That’s because they’re an important part of pre-pregnancy care, and they can help people avoid deficiencies while they’re pregnant. “Think of it as building up a reserve,” writes health journalist Sarah Bradley. Healthline. “If you have more of the vitamins and nutrients you need to thrive, you can afford to share those vitamins and nutrients with your baby as they grow.”

Are Prenatal Vitamins Safe?

If you’re planning to take prenatal vitamins, you should consult with your healthcare provider to make sure you’re choosing the right option for you. But in general, prenatal vitamins are easily accessible over the counter and considered safe. If you’re not pregnant, or you’re not planning to become pregnant, you really shouldn’t be taking prenatal vitamins, as that’s not their intended use. They contain high amounts of folic acid and iron, for example, and consuming more than the recommended daily amount can do your body more harm than good.

Are Prenatal Vitamins Vegetarian?

Not all prenatal vitamins on the market are vegan, but that said, there are plenty of animal-free options available. “The most common non-vegan vitamins are omega-3, vitamin D3, vitamin B12 and choline,” explains Yep. “But thanks to advances in modern science and food technology, we’ve been able to find alternative sources that are vegan friendly.” He adds that omega-3, for example, can be obtained from algae oil and vitamin D3 can come from lichen, a type of fungus. “[You can try] nutritional yeast or nori for B12,” he continues, as well as “vegetables or beans for choline.”

Is vegetarian diet safe during pregnancy?

Many experts consider a vegetarian diet safe for pregnant women. But as Yep confirms, it should be “a well-planned vegan diet.” She notes that “vegan mothers need to make sure they are getting enough essential nutrients for their health and their baby’s development.”

The most common deficiencies among vegan pregnant women are vitamin B12, vitamin D, choline, iron, protein, calcium, zinc and iodine, Yep says. But ultimately, if you pay close attention to what you eat and take prenatal vitamins, following a vegan diet shouldn’t be risky. “Eating a variety of plant-based food groups with careful supplementation will be able to support a healthy pregnancy,” Yep says. But, as always, you should consult your healthcare provider if you feel unsure.

Best Vegan Prenatal Vitamins

To help you find the right vegan prenatal vitamin for you, we’ve rounded up some of the best options on the supplement market. However, it’s important to note that not every multivitamin contains every single important nutrient for pregnancy, so again, consider checking with your healthcare provider before making your final choice.

garden of life

1 Mykind Organics Prenatal Multi

Alicia Silverstone’s supplement brand MyKind Organics is ideal for those looking for an organic, non-GMO vitamin to support them throughout their pregnancy journey. These prenatal multi tablets are formulated with a blend of nine organic fruits and contain 600mcg of folate and 800IU of vegan vitamin D3, derived from lichen. (Plus, they taste just like berries!)
look at it

future type

2 The Future Kind Vegan Prenatal Multivitamin

Future Kind’s vegan prenatal multivitamins were developed by the brand’s founder, Sean Cunningham, after his wife became pregnant and he couldn’t find the right vitamins that suited her and her plant-based diet. Designed to be taken twice a day during conception, pregnancy and lactation, the citrus-flavored vitamins contain folate as well as B12, vitamin D and DHA, as well as iron, zinc, choline and more.
look at it

Premama health

3 Premama Prenatal Vitamins

As the name suggests, Premama was specially designed to ensure that pregnant women and those trying to conceive are able to access the right vitamin products. In addition to fertility aids and pre-conception supplements, the brand also makes prenatal vitamin capsules, which are easy to swallow and flavored with peppermint oil. (So ​​it’s not that different from enjoying mint, really.) The key ingredients in this prenatal vitamin are chelated iron, folate, choline, and algae-based DHA.
look at it

Best Nest Wellness

4 Best Nest Wellness Mama Bird Prenatal AM/PM

Best Nest was founded by neurologist Madhavi Gupta, MD, to ensure her family had access to all the vitamins and minerals they needed. Because, let’s be honest, sometimes, it’s hard to get everything you need from food. The brand offers a variety of prenatal vitamin options, but its AM/PM Prenatal Multi+ has added choline, which is important for maintaining brain health. The supplement is completely food-based and designed to be taken twice a day (as the name implies).
look at it