The 8 Best Prenatal Vitamins of 2020, According to a Dietitian
Best Overall: Klaire Labs
Klaire Labs Prenatal and Nursing Formula Supplement contains bioavailable and highly-absorbable forms of the key nutrients that are needed by pregnant and nursing women. With 222 percent daily value for folate, 333 percent daily value for vitamin D3, and 100 percent daily value for biotin, this product is an excellent choice for covering all nutrient bases for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Free of milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, and wheat, it’s ideal for women looking to avoid common allergens, as well as those wanting to steer clear of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Best for Morning Sickness: New Chapter
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are common occurrences experienced by a large number of women. Ginger has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy for numerous ailments, including digestive issues such as nausea.
A systematic review examined the use of ginger for the treatment of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and found that ginger significantly improved the symptoms of nausea when compared to a placebo.2 New Chapter’s Perfect Prenatal vitamin includes organic ginger in each dose to help ease nausea. This supplement is vegetarian, certified non-GMO, and gluten- and synthetic filler-free.
Best with DHA: Nordic Naturals
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is one of the three main essential omega 3 fatty acids, the others being alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA is found primarily in seafood.
During pregnancy, DHA is especially important for a baby’s healthy cognitive and visual function and overall brain development. A reference intake for the amount of DHA that should be consumed per day hasn’t been set yet, but health experts agree that pregnant and lactating women should consume at least 200 milligrams of DHA per day.3 Others believe that pregnant women should up their intake to 300 milligrams of DHA per day.
Nordic Naturals’ Prenatal DHA provides 480 milligrams of DHA and 205 milligrams of EPA per serving, and is the official omega-3 supplement of the American Pregnancy Association. All of Nordic Naturals products are non-GMO, use wild-caught fish, and are third-party tested, surpassing the strictest international standards for purity and freshness.
Best Gummy: Smarty Pants
Smarty Pants Prenatal gummy vitamins are free of artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, and the top eight allergens. Smarty Pants does not use synthetic colors or artificial flavors in their gummies, and each batch is third party tested for purity.
From one four-gummy serving, mothers-to-be will get 200 percent of their daily value for vitamin d and 100 percent of their daily value for folate. The supplement also contains pregnancy essentials like choline, and all eight b vitamins.
One serving contains 6 grams of added sugar, an important note if consumers have been instructed to watch their sugar intake during pregnancy. It is also important to note that the supplement does not contain iron, so it might be contraindicated for vegan or vegetarian mothers-to-be who depend on supplemental iron intake.
The 29 Best Gifts to Buy Expecting Moms of 2020
Best Organic: Garden of Life
Garden of Life’s myKind Prenatal vitamin is certified-organic by the USDA as well as certified non-GMO. The nutrients contained in this product are derived from an organic food blend. Unlike many other prenatals, this supplement’s serving size is one tablet, which is good news for anyone who dislikes swallowing pills. With 250 percent daily value for vitamin d and 200 percent daily value for folate, it’s perfect for pregnant women looking for natural supplementation.
It’s important to note, however, that the prenatal vitamin only contains 50 percent of the recommended daily intake of iron and does not contain choline, another critical nutrient for healthy fetus development, so consumers may need to use additional supplements if their diet is lacking in iron and choline consumption.
Given the lower amount of iron, this pick may be ideal for women who find supplemental iron to be constipating, but it’s still important to make sure your increased iron needs are met through diet by speaking with a registered dietitian or physician.
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