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When you’re pregnant, it can feel like everyone has advice on what to eat, what not to eat, and which vitamins to take. You already know the basics—eat your veggies, drink water, and take your prenatal vitamins. But there’s another term you might not be familiar with: nutraceuticals.
Sounds fancy, right? Nothing wrong with fancy but nutraceuticals are nutrients or supplements that give your body more than just the basics. In many ways they are the foundation that supports your health and your baby’s development during pregnancy. They’re naturally found in food or come in supplement form and can play an important role in keeping you both healthy.
Why Are Nutraceuticals Important During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is an exciting time--but time feels very distorted during pregnancy too. Some days are sooo long but then whoosh--you and baby are in the next trimester. Your baby is growing and developing at lightning speed and in fact can develop millions (!) of cells each day, and that means your nutrient needs go up too. Some nutraceuticals help reduce pregnancy risks and support your baby’s brain, bones, and immune system, while others can boost your own energy, mood, and overall wellness.
For example, certain nutraceuticals can:
Prevent birth defects (Hello, folic acid!)
Support your baby’s brain and eye development (Thanks, omega-3s!)
Build a strong immune system for both you and your baby (Vitamin D, we see you even when we can't see the sun!)
Promote healthy digestion (Probiotics to the rescue!)
The good news is that you may already be getting some of these nutrients through your diet and prenatal vitamins. But it’s worth understanding how they work and how to make sure you’re getting enough of the right ones.
What’s Coming Next?
We’ll be diving deeper into some of the key nutraceuticals that can give you and your baby an extra boost during pregnancy. In upcoming posts, we’ll cover:
Probiotics: Why a happy gut is important for you and your baby
Folic acid: The must-have nutrient for preventing birth defects
Omega-3 fatty acids: Brain food for your baby
Vitamin D: Building strong bones, boosting immunity, and regulating glucose
There is so little within our control during pregnancy, birth, and parenting--we don't get to choose so much of how it all goes. But we can contribute to baby's health and development adn our own, too. This is a key lesson for parenting--nourishing ourselves is nourishing our children. Start with the building blocks of nourishment we read so much about: Protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and lots of nutraceuticals.
Keep an eye out for our next posts in this series, and build your health, one nutraceutical at a time!
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