This post is in paid partnership with Perelel. I only endorse products I trust and use in my own family.
As excited as I was to become a mom, there was so much I didn’t know as a first-time parent. When I got pregnant with my first, I simply moved from the daily multivitamin gummy I was taking to the same brand’s prenatal gummy.
I thought I was receiving all the extra nutrients I needed.
Before my second pregnancy, I really put my research hat on and did some digging on prenatals. It turned out my gummy vitamins were lacking, to put it lightly. I made the switch to Perelel while trying to conceive baby #2 and haven’t looked back.
However, I was curious, have gummy vitamins caught up over the past few years? Are there any on the market today that can compete with my favorite vitamin brand? I did some research in partnership with registered dietitian, Kelly de Guzman from Whole Family Table. We analyzed four popular prenatal brands on the market, and here is what I learned…
1. Gummies tend to have more nutritional gaps
Essential nutrients, like iron, omega-3s, calcium, and choline, are often lacking or underdosed in gummy prenatals. However, each of these nutrients play a vital role in supporting pregnancy.
Iron
✅ An important building block of red blood cells
✅Essential as blood volume increases to supply oxygen to baby and mom
❌Often excluded from gummies due to a strong metallic taste and tendency to impact color
Omega-3s (DHA and EPA)
✅Support brain and retina development of baby
✅Supports mom’s mood and heart health
❌ Gummies oxidize quicker, meaning their structure cannot support the nutritional integrity of added omega-3s
❌Gummies go rancid quicker than capsules which can cause a foul “rotten fish” smell
Calcium
✅Vital to developing baby’s bones and teeth
✅Can be leached from maternal bones if underconsumed
❌ Heavier nutrient that takes up too much space in gummy formulations
Choline
✅Aids in brain development
✅Supports healthy neural tube development
✅Supports placental health
❌ Takes up too much space for gummy formulation
❌ Not yet industry standard to include
The above nutrients were lacking in a majority of the prenatal gummies we reviewed.
In comparison, Perelel’s capsule prenatals contain 16 mg of iron in every trimester pack, and 200 mg calcium in the second and third trimester packs to support baby’s bone and muscle development. Perelel also contains 120 mg of choline, which is more than double the 55 mg in Smarty Pants gummies (the only gummy we reviewed which contained choline).
2. Gummies have added ingredients
A gummy needs a gelling base plus bulking agents to hold its chewable shape, and that base takes up most of the formula, leaving only a small fraction for the nutrients themselves. It also can mean more added sugar and calories. Zero-sugar gummies are often made with sugar alcohols, which can cause digestive issues, leading to gas production and bloating.
Capsules don’t need a base to hold their shape, and they don’t require sugar or sugar alcohols to improve their taste, so they have more room for what you and baby need.
3. There’s unnecessary added risk with gummies
Because they look and taste like candy, gummies carry a higher risk of accidental overconsumption, which can lead to toxicity with certain vitamins. Too much iron, for example, can cause complications (e.g. stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, organ damage).
Although the four gummy brands we tested all had childproof lids, I personally find it unnerving how appealing gummy vitamins are to my kids. I’d rather go without the unnecessary risk.
Takeaway: Capsules are ideal
After another round of thorough research, I feel confident in my decision to go with capsule vitamins. At the end of the day, capsule format means room for complete coverage of the nutrients you need throughout pregnancy.
Perelel has been my favorite vitamin brand for over 4 years. Their vitamins are developed by doctors and tailored to every stage of motherhood, so I’ve used many of their products including their prenatal, pre-conception, and mom multi support packs.
What I love about their prenatals is that they’re designed to adapt to your changing needs each trimester. Each pack contains essential nutrients plus extra key ingredients, from a first trimester anti-nausea blend, to magnesium to help with muscle cramps and relaxation in the third trimester.
I understand the appeal of a tasty gummy vitamin. However, after failing to find a gummy prenatal that actually checks all the boxes, I plan to stick with Perelel vitamins!
It Works For Us 