Prenatal vitamins are recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because you require more vitamins and the assurance that the vitamins contain fewer toxins. There are several prenatal vitamins on the market to choose from, and since you'll be taking them for at least a year, you'll need to choose which vitamins are right for you. One of the best ways to assess prenatal vitamins is to purchase those that are affordable, convenient and make you feel your best. You and your baby will benefit from the extra nutritional supplementation.
Best Whole Foods Prenatal Vitamins
Whole-foods vitamins are those that are made from whole foods and don't usually cause nausea, nor do they need to be taken with food. This is not only a huge plus when you're pregnant but can also make a world of difference in remembering to take your vitamins when you're breastfeeding. Two brands that excel at whole-foods vitamins are Rainbow Light Prenatal One and New Chapter Perfect Prenatal.
Best Store Brand Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are available in a range of prices, and if money is a concern for you, there are some generic brands that cost less than others. Rite Aid makes a one-a-day prenatal vitamin that costs less than $10 for 100 tablets, as of 2011. You may want to supplement with additional calcium, though, as the Rite Aid prenatal only contains 200 mg. And only 25 percent of the vitamin A comes from the preferred, safer source, beta carotene. GNC also makes a prenatal, GNC Women's Prenatal Formula with Iron, which contains all of the recommended vitamins and minerals for under $20 for 120 tablets, as of 2011. All of the vitamin A comes from beta carotene, and it contains 600 mg calcium.
Best Liquid Prenatal Vitamins
Some women have a hard time swallowing pills, and liquid vitamins are easier for them to take. If you prefer a liquid vitamin, consider Nature's Plus Prenatal Liquid. The dosage is one capful per day. Some reviews state that it's easier to take than pills, although the taste is not necessarily pleasant. With only 4 mg iron, it does not contain as much as many other prenatal vitamins.
Best Prenatal Vitamins for Lead
Unfortunately, many vitamins, even prenatals, contain lead. The best prenatal vitamins with lower levels of lead are Nature's Plus Prenatal Liquid and Pregnancy Plus Prenatal Multivitamin. Both contain less than 0.2 mcg of lead consumed per day, according to the FDA. Pregnancy Plus is low in calcium, though, with only 40 mg, instead of the recommended 1,000 mg, but contains 5,000 IU of vitamin A, all derived from the safer source, beta carotene.
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