What’s inside: The 9 essential prenatal vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy. Sponsored by Viactiv.
Did you know that 68% of women are calcium deficient? That’s more than half of us!
Getting your recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals is always important, but even more so during pregnancy. It’s one of the simplest ways to give your baby the best possible start in life, and keep your own body healthy too.
Keep reading to learn:
- 9 of the most important prenatal vitamins and minerals and what they do
- natural sources of key nutrients
- when supplementing is helpful
9 Essential Prenatal Vitamins & Minerals for a Healthy Pregnancy
1. Calcium
What it does: Supports healthy development of baby’s bones, teeth, heart, nerves and muscles.
Natural sources: dairy, leafy green vegetables, broccoli
Why it’s important during pregnancy: Your body is able to better absorb calcium during pregnancy, so this is a chance to bump up your calcium and strengthen your bones!
Even more critical, if you don’t get sufficient calcium in your diet, your baby will start drawing this nutrient from your own bones, weakening them. This puts you at risk for health problems like osteoporosis and/or injuries down the road.
Why natural sources might not be enough: The guideline for daily calcium intake is 1000mg, which might be difficult to get through diet alone. In fact, most prenatal multivitamins only contain 20-30% of your recommended daily allowance.
However, just two Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews provide 100% of your daily recommended calcium (plus Vitamin D and K to aid in calcium absorption). Viactiv chews come in two delicious flavors: chocolate and caramel.
Getting your daily dose couldn’t be easier, or tastier!
Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews are available nationwide at supermarkets, drugstores and major retailers, including CVS, Rite Aid, Target and Walmart.
2. Folic Acid
What it does: Folic acid aids in the formation of DNA, organs, and tissue in a developing baby. It also helps prevent neural tube birth defects (which affect the brain and spinal cord).
Natural sources:Â green leafy vegetables, broccoli, asparagus, avocado, nuts, beans, citrus fruits, beets, cauliflower, winter squash
Key fact: Up to 70% of neural tube birth defects are preventable with sufficient folic acid intake during pregnancy.
3. Iron
What it does: Iron is a crucial factor in the creation of hemoglobin, a protein which transports oxygen from your lungs to the rest of the body. During pregnancy, your body creates up to 50% more blood than usual, so you need more hemoglobin too.
Natural sources:Â red meat, poultry, fish, spinach, beans, legumes, tofu
Did you know: Many women don’t get enough iron to begin with, and the increased demands of pregnancy can lead to anemia (iron deficiency). Your healthcare provider can help you decide if dietary changes are enough to meet your daily needs.
Related: Click here to see my picks for the best pregnancy pillow, so you can sleep better too!
4. Choline
What it does: Suffering from so-called “pregnancy brain”? Scientists say it’s a real thing — your brain cells actually shrink during the 3rd trimester. Choline is shown to help improve memory function (for you), and also aids in your baby’s brain development.
Natural Sources: Beef liver, beef, eggs, seafood, wheat germ, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, peanuts
5. Omega 3’s
What they do:Â The two most important Omega 3 fatty acids are DHA and APA. DHA supports brain development for the baby and supports heart and lung development and a healthy immune system.
Natural sources: Cold water fish, algae, certain types of eggs, fish oil
Lactation benefits:Â Research shows that Omega 3’s may actually assist in breast milk production.
Make getting your Omega 3’s easy and delicious — try this foolproof trick to cook perfect salmon at home.
Other essential nutrients during pregnancy
- Zinc (builds immune system)
- Vitamin D (aids in calcium absorption for bone growth)
- Fiber (improves digestion)
- Protein (critical for cell growth)
Are you a chocoholic? Or a caramel-lover? Share which Viactiv Calcium Soft Chew flavor you want to try in the comments below!
Connect with Viactiv on Facebook and Instagram for more calcium facts!
Resources:
| Global Healing Center | WebMD | New York Department of Health | BabyCenter | What to Expect | Oregon State University | Dummies.com |
Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews are available in milk chocolate or caramel flavors at major retailers including CVS, Rite Aid, Target, and Walmart, as well as supermarkets nationwide.
Learn more about Viactiv and pregnancy here.
This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation on behalf of Viactiv that contains affiliate links. I received Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews for my own personal use. This post is not intended to address or diagnose any medical conditions. All opinions, text and experiences are my own. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing or planning on becoming pregnant, speak with your healthcare provider if you have any specific health questions or prior to taking any dietary supplements.
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