While folic acid and iron usually steal the nutritional spotlight during pregnancy, there are a few other key nutrients the body needs that often get overlooked and where daily pre-natal vitamins can fall short. Let’s talk about three lesser known (but super important) nutrients to support both you and baby:
Calcium
Baby needs calcium to build strong bones and teeth, and if you’re not getting enough calcium – most people aren’t – your body will take it from your bones. Dairy, fortified plant milks, and leafy greens can help you meet the mark, along with Viactiv Calcium Chews, which come in tasty chocolate or caramel flavors. Available at Walmart and other retailers, Viactiv also includes vitamins D & K which are important for helping the calcium absorption.
Choline
Crucial for baby’s brain development and cell growth, choline is like folic acid’s underrated best friend. Most prenatal vitamins don’t include enough, which should be at least 450 mg daily, so be sure to get it from food (egg yolks, liver, and some legumes) or quality supplements such as Doctor's Best Choline L-Bitartrate.
Iodine
Essential for thyroid health and baby’s brain development, iodine is surprisingly easy to miss especially if you’re using non-iodized salts. Add in some iodized salt, dairy, or seaweed snacks to your routine to bump up your intake.
Quick tip: Magnesium and DHA are also pregnancy power players, supporting everything from muscle function to baby's brain and eye development, so make sure your intake is enough. Look closely at your vitamin labels and speak to your healthcare provider.
