Pregnancy is one of the most adorable experiences in a woman’s life; it also comes with higher nutritional needs. The Indian diet includes vegetables, pulses, cereals, and spices, but it often lacks some of the essential nutrients required during pregnancy.

Today, "hidden hunger" in pregnancy is a common thing in India. That means Indian pregnant women eat enough food but remain undernourished. A typical Indian lunch is rich in calories but low in nutrients, resulting in a discrepancy between the nutrition consumed and what is needed. Prenatal vitamins help address this dietary shortfall.

Thus, pregnancy supplements play a crucial role in providing them with sufficient nutrition during their pregnancy.

Nutritional gaps in a normal Indian diet

Although Indian food is generally healthy, several nutrients are either lacking or not properly absorbed. Some common nutritional deficiencies are as follows-

• Iron Deficiency: Indian diets are primarily plant-based, and although they contain non-heme iron (from dals, spinach, etc.), its absorption is not as good as that of heme iron from meat. Therefore, anaemia is among the most common deficiencies in Indian pregnant women.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency: Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in vegetarian women because it is primarily found in animal products such as dairy, seafood, and eggs. This shortage may lead to weakness, tiredness, and developmental risks in the infant.
• Vitamin D deficiency: Despite ample sunshine, vitamin D deficiency is common in India due to less outdoor exposure, pollution, and lifestyle choices.
• Calcium Deficiency: Dairy products are considered healthy, but their consumption may be insufficient to meet the increased calcium needs during pregnancy. Low calcium can impact the mother's and the child's bone health.
• Folic acid deficiency: Foods like Lentils, dark green vegetables, sprouts, citrus fruits, asparagus, avocado, dry beans, peas, and almonds contain significant amounts of folic acid, but their consumption is not sufficient to meet the increased needs during pregnancy. Folic acid deficiency may lead to neural tube abnormalities in the unborn child.
• Omega-3 deficiency: Not all Indians eat fish, particularly those following a vegetarian diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the development of the baby's brain and eyes.

Apparently, certain gaps still exist even with a well-balanced Indian home-cooked food. Pregnancy supplements are very important at this stage.

Role of prenatal vitamins in bridging dietary gaps in pregnancy

Prenatal vitamins are dietary supplements that offer vital minerals and vitamins required during pregnancy. They play crucial roles-

1. Prenatal vitamins with folic acid help reduce the risk of spina bifida and neural tube defects in your child.
2. Prenatal vitamins help strengthen the body and promote the growth of the foetus in pregnant women.
3. Prenatal vitamin with iron: Pregnant women require twice of iron as they did before conceiving. During pregnancy body needs iron to make haemoglobin (blood) for you and the unborn child. Thus, pregnancy supplements prevent anaemia caused by iron deficiency.
4. Vitamin D Prenatal tablets reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes associated with vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women.
5. Vitamin C supplements: The baby needs calcium for the formation of strong teeth, bones, a healthy heart, nerves, muscles, and blood clotting. Therefore, prenatal vitamins offer enough calcium for the growth of your child.
6. Prenatal supplements promote the healthy growth of babies. They fill in gaps that are difficult to manage with a balanced diet alone.
7. A pregnancy supplement with vitamin B12 prevents nerve disorders and promotes brain development in the foetus.
8. Zinc and iodine supplements are necessary for improving immunity and thyroid function.
9. Supplements with Omega-3 DHA: They support the development of the baby's brain and eyes.

Therefore, taking prenatal vitamins ensures that the mother and unborn child receive a steady supply of nutrients, despite dietary limitations.

Why are pregnancy supplements essential for pregnant women?

Most of the Indian pregnant women have nutritional deficiencies as they follow a vegetarian diet. Cultural practices such as avoiding meals during pregnancy or mainly relying on carbohydrates can worsen deficiencies.

Some factors that indicate the importance of pregnancy supplement in pregnancy include-

• Vegetarian diets- Since vitamin B12 and Omega-3 are largely found in seafood, women following vegetarian diets lack these essential nutrients.
• Cooking orders- Overcooking vegetables can damage heat-sensitive nutrients such as vitamin C and folate.
• Food taboos- Some women avoid foods like papaya, pineapple, and eggs owing to their beliefs, leading to restricted diets.
• Increased demands- The nutrient requirements increase during pregnancy, making it challenging to satisfy them with diet alone.

To promote the health of the mother and the foetus, doctors strongly advise taking prenatal vitamins throughout pregnancy.

How to choose the best prenatal vitamin?

Every prenatal vitamin is different. When choosing the best prenatal vitamin, consider the following factors-

• Balanced Formula: Ensure your supplement contains iron, folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, DHA and other essential nutrients.
• Doctor-Recommended: Always take the supplements given by your gynaecologist based on your specific needs.
• Easy to digest: Certain medicines may cause nausea or constipation. Try to choose high-quality and gentle formulas.
• Renowned Brand: Select prenatal vitamins from renowned brands with safety certifications and clinical support.

Trimacare: The most reliable pregnancy supplement for Indian women

Trimacare prenatal tablet is designed to support the full development of the foetus. Trimacare prenatal vitamin promotes the healthy growth of the unborn children while protecting pregnant mothers from adverse pregnancy symptoms. Trimacare pregnancy supplement is a one-stop solution for all your pregnancy needs. The three-stage prenatal nutrition course, Trimacare prenatal vitamin, offers advanced nutrition for every trimester of pregnancy. In addition to the Iron, Folate, and Calcium of the IFC method, Trimacare prenatal vitamins for women are based on a multi-micronutrient approach, which means they also contain other micronutrients that are crucial for the growth and development of the unborn child.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a journey that demands additional attention and nutrition. The Indian diet offers a solid base, although it does not fully satisfy the increased pregnancy needs.

Iron, folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and omega-3 deficiencies are prevalent. So, consume prenatal vitamins along with the food, which can effectively bridge these gaps.