Walk into any pharmacy or grocery store, and you’ll quickly find yourself surrounded by a dizzying assortment of prenatal vitamins, all competing for the attention of expectant moms. Each product touts its own unique benefits, boasting various formulas and nutrient levels, along with flashy marketing claims like “anti-nausea,” “organic,” and “complete nutrition in one pill.” With so many options available, it’s no wonder that selecting the right prenatal vitamin can feel like an overwhelming task–especially when all you want is what's best for your baby.

Thankfully, Nunona takes the stress out of choosing a prenatal vitamin with their new pre+postnatal supplement, completely eliminating the need for synthetic pills. We’re breaking down what to look for when choosing a prenatal vitamin and sharing how Nunona is disrupting the prenatal nutrition market. 

How to choose the right prenatal vitamin: Essential nutrients

Not all prenatal vitamins are created equal. Some lack key nutrients, while others either fall short or contain too much, and some don’t use the most bioavailable forms. Additionally, several factors can influence absorption, for example, nutrients from food may be better absorbed¹ than those from synthetic supplements. These distinctions matter because a prenatal supplement plays a crucial role in supporting:

• Conception
• Healthy fetal growth and development
• A healthy pregnancy 

Ultimately, the most important aspect of prenatal nutrition is the quality of the ingredients and the nutrients they provide. When choosing a prenatal vitamin, be sure it includes the following key nutrients:

Folate

Folate, a water-soluble B vitamin, is one of the most important nutrients for prenatal nutrition. It plays a key role in creating new cells and genetic material and supports optimal growth. Obtaining adequate folate is essential for the baby's development and helps prevent neural tube defects², severe birth defects that impact the brain and spine. 

You may come across prenatal supplements containing different forms of vitamin B9 or folate, such as folic acid, methylated folate, and folate from food sources.

• Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate used in supplements and fortified foods. It needs to be converted into a methylated form in the liver³ before it can be used by the body, a process that can be slow and inefficient for some people.
• Methylated folate is an active form of folate that doesn’t require conversion in the liver, and can make it more readily available for absorption. 
• Folate from food is found naturally in folate-rich foods like dark leafy greens, fruits, nuts, beans, seafood, eggs, dairy, meats, and grains.

Daily requirement during pregnancy: 600 micrograms⁴

Nunona Mama Bites: 575 micrograms of folate from organic spinach 

Omega 3 DHA

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that forms an essential part of the membranes surrounding each cell in the body. DHA is particularly abundant in retina, brain, and sperm cells⁵, making it an essential building block for an infant’s brain and retinal tissue. Additionally, some studies suggest that taking omega-3 supplements [5] can increase a baby’s birth weight and extend the time they stay in the womb. 

Daily requirement during pregnancy: 200 milligrams to 300 milligrams⁶

Nunona Mama Bites: 200 milligrams from non-GMO microalgae

Iron

Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your cells. Iron is responsible for optimal growth, brain development, energy production, and plays a role in a healthy immune system. Iron requirements increase during pregnancy as your blood volume expands to support your growing baby. 

Daily requirement during pregnancy: 27 milligrams⁷

Nunona Mama Bites: 27 milligrams from organic spinach

Vitamin D: 

Vitamin D is an important nutrient for healthy growth and development. It builds strong bones and teeth, supports the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and plays a role in the immune system—essentials for a growing fetus. 

Daily requirement during pregnancy: 15 micrograms or 600 IU⁸

Nunona Mama Bites: 28 micrograms or 1,144 IU from organic Maitake mushroom

Choline:

Your nervous system relies on choline to regulate memory, mood, muscle control, and brain development. It's also needed to build the membranes that encase your cells. While there is some limited evidence⁹ linking choline deficiency to an increased risk of neural tube defects, the research remains inconclusive. 

Daily requirement during pregnancy: 450 milligrams⁹

Nunona Mama Bites: 160 milligrams from organic sunflower seeds 

What is the best prenatal vitamin? Why Nunona's Mama Bites are the obvious choice

Nunona’s Mama Bites are a complete pre+postnatal supplement, made from real food ingredients and packed with 27 essential micronutrients. Instead of relying on synthetic pills (which can be hard to swallow and make you nauseous!), their innovative formula delivers perinatal nutrition through four snackable bites that are as delicious as they are nutritious. Nunona Mama Bites are third-party tested and provide over 100% more nutrients than the leading synthetic prenatal supplement on the market. 

Nunona’s scientifically-backed formulation supports: 

• Prenatal health: Packed with essential nutrients to support your pregnancy and nourish your growing baby.
• Baby’s development: Formulated to deliver key nutrients for your baby’s growth and development.
• Postpartum recovery: Mama Bites support postpartum healing, improve energy levels, and promote overall recovery after childbirth.
• Breastfeeding: If you choose to breastfeed, Mama Bites provide the extra energy and nutrients needed to maintain your milk supply, enhance the nutritional profile of your breastmilk, and fuel your body during this demanding time.

The wellness market is increasingly shifting toward natural, non-synthetic options that prioritize health—and for good reason. Nutrition plays a critical role during a baby’s first 1,000 days, establishing a foundation for lifelong health and development. By choosing Nunona, you're not just supporting your own health during pregnancy, but also paving the way for a healthier future for your baby.

Sources:

1. Ofoedu CE, Iwouno JO, Ofoedu EO, et al. Revisiting food-sourced vitamins for consumer diet and health needs: a perspective review, from vitamin classification, metabolic functions, absorption, utilization, to balancing nutritional requirements. PeerJ. 2021;9:e11940. doi:https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11940
2. ‌CDC. Neural Tube Defects. Birth Defects. Published May 22, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/birth-defects/about/neural-tube-defects.html
3. ‌Greenberg JA, Bell SJ. Multivitamin Supplementation During Pregnancy: Emphasis on Folic Acid and l-Methylfolate. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2011;4(3-4):126-127.
4. Ross AC, Taylor CL, Yaktine AL, Valle HBD. - Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D - NCBI Bookshelf. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Published 2011. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56068/table/summarytables.t2/?report=objectonly
5. ‌National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements - Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Nih.gov. Published July 18, 2022. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/
6. ‌Zhang Z, Fulgoni VL, Kris-Etherton PM, Mitmesser SH. Dietary Intakes of EPA and DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids among US Childbearing-Age and Pregnant Women: An Analysis of NHANES 2001-2014. Nutrients. 2018;10(4):416. Published 2018 Mar 28. doi:10.3390/nu10040416
7. Oria M, Harrison M, Stallings VA. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes, Elements, Food and Nutrition Board, National Academies. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Published March 5, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545442/table/appJ_tab3/?report=objectonly
8. ‌Ross AC, Taylor CL, Yaktine AL, Valle HBD. - Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D - NCBI Bookshelf. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Published 2011. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56068/table/summarytables.t2/?report=objectonly
9. ‌Office of Dietary Supplements - Choline. Nih.gov. Published 2017. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-Consumer/