Prenatal Nutrition Isn’t “Just Take a Vitamin”
Pregnancy has a way of turning even familiar routines upside down. Energy fluctuates, appetite changes by the day, and food choices often become less about ideals and more about what feels tolerable. Yet despite all of that complexity, many pregnant folks are still given the same simplified advice: just take a prenatal.
At Food Ease, we see how confusing and isolating that advice can feel. Many clients are doing their best, but they aren’t sure whether their prenatal is actually meeting their needs or how to think about nutrients without falling into rigidity, fear, or diet culture.
That’s why a newly released IRB-approved study from Needed caught our attention. It offers something that’s often missing from prenatal nutrition conversations: real data on nutrient status in pregnant folks, and how different prenatal formulations may support the body during pregnancy.
Why This Research Matters
Pregnancy increases nutrient needs at the same time that nausea, fatigue, aversions, and limited capacity can make eating feel unpredictable. From a weight-inclusive, intuitive eating perspective, the goal isn’t perfect intake, it’s support.
This research looks at how common prenatals compare to Needed’s Prenatal Multi in supporting key nutrients involved in energy production, bone health, nervous system function, and antioxidant support. The findings raise important questions about whether all prenatals function the same way and how a more thoughtfully formulated option might reduce pressure rather than add to it.
A Weight-Inclusive Lens on Prenatal Care
What stood out most to us wasn’t just the data, but how relevant it feels to the lived experiences of pregnant folks. This is research that acknowledges reality: some days food is nourishing and varied, other days it’s toast and ginger ale. A supportive prenatal can help bridge those gaps without turning nutrition into another source of stress.
In our full Substack post, we break down:
What the study actually found (and why it matters)
Which nutrients showed the biggest differences
How to think about prenatal supplements without chasing perfection
What this means for intuitive eating and food freedom during pregnancy
Read the Full Breakdown
This blog post is just the surface. If you’re interested in learning more we invite you to read the full Substack post which can be found HERE .
As a Needed Partner, Food Ease clients automatically receive 20% off their first order of Needed products. It’s one small way to make supportive prenatal nutrition more accessible while staying grounded in evidence based care. Use the link below to redeem your discount.
#NeededPartner
Dispensary Link: http://thisisneeded.com/FoodEaseNutritionCounseling
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