While nothing can substitute a balanced and nutritious diet for mom and her baby in the womb, a prenatal multivitamin can give a much needed energy and vitamin boost for the toughest role on the planet - being a mother! But with so many prenatal vitamins to choose from, what do you pick?
I was looking for something that I could afford and definitely for a vitamin that wasn't synthetic - that is a tough balance. Most vitamins on the market are synthetic and many people do not realize that only a tiny part of the actual daily value percentages shown will absorb in your body. Plant based vitamins on the other hand give you maximum absorption and do not [or should not] contain fillers or binders that hinder it. So with most vitamins produced at a factory, you get cheap supplements that are affordable to the masses. It is quite a deceiving business they run! Just when you think you are doing something great for your health you could actually be supplementing with chemicals, artificial coloring, additives, sweeteners, and preservatives.
On the other hand there was no way I could afford organic plant based vitamins, the pricing is through the roof! So that is when I found Rainbow Light, they make several different multivitamin options one of which is Prenatal One. Here are the things I love so much about it:
Affordable: Breaking the bank before baby is even born is not a great idea, agree? They used to be $9.99 for a bottle of 50. Recently they went up a dollar (hasn't everything?). Compare that though to organic plant-based prenatal vitamins for over $45 for a bottle of 60! I think you could find them even cheaper online, shop around.
Plant-based: Derrived from vegetables and minerals, not synthetically made.
Gentle On The Stomach: This is a biggie simply because the last thing a pregnant woman wants is a vitamin that will make her gag. I actually think Prenatal One might be the reason why I had no morning sickness, none. It contains red raspberry leaf, ginger, and organic spirulina to help avoid morning sickness, as well as a blend of nutrients that aid in digestion. I've heard from pregnant girlfriends that they hate taking their vitamins because they make them gag, well, not me!
Very Potent: How do I know? Because when I don't take one I can feel it! I am still taking them while nursing and plan to for a while. I was forgetful when pregnant, maybe even more so now with an infant, but when I feel like I don't have enough energy it is either not enough sleep or I forgot to take the vitamin. Compare that to synthetic vitamins I used to take a while ago - they did nothing for me. Felt like I just fed myself sugar pills.
Personally Recommended By My Doctor: I switched doctors recently and my new one asked me what prenatal vitamin I was taking (quite important when nursing too). Not just any doctor you see, he is a homeopath who only treats patients naturally. So to get his approval was a big deal!
EcoMama Green Factor: If they were organic I would give a +5, but can't really ask for that at this price. So a 4.5 is fair? Tell me if you find something better for the same price. As for their manufacturing practices - they have many positive aspects listed on their site that you can take a look at. They do participate in Vitamin Angels, for every 10 bottles bought they donate one to at-risk mothers and babies.
