Pregnancy – Nutritional Supplements You Can Use Independent distributor of FitLine

If you're already pregnant, you most likely know that you need various areas of nutritional optimization to ensure your child is well-nourished!

As an independent FitLine distributor, I'm often asked which of our products and nutritional supplements can be used during pregnancy.
I'd like to provide you with an overview of which nutritional supplements you should use and what you can safely consume.

Nutrient Supply During Pregnancy

Keep in mind that nutritional supplements are not medications, but natural substances that you should otherwise have in your diet. Therefore, there are few restrictions when you use good, natural, and naturally combined nutritional supplements (not isolated high-dose formulations) that provide the body with essential nutrients.

Before using anything, you should discuss it with your doctor.

I base my statements primarily on the official recommendations of the DGE - the German Nutrition Society, which has compiled comprehensive tips and information for pregnant women.

Occasionally, I've come across articles on the internet that make impossible claims about this topic: such as the body automatically absorbing more nutrients during pregnancy because it adapts to the exceptional situation. Please use your own thinking! If we don't eat food with sufficient nutrients, no more can be absorbed. Your body cannot produce essential nutrients itself, yet we need them for survival. If we don't obtain them through food, these substances are simply missing.

Our food has become less nutrient-dense. Laboratory tests have proven years ago that fruits and vegetables contain fewer relevant nutrients - namely minerals, vitamins, etc. If you then eat a lot of processed food, sweets, and fast food, it becomes clear that it may make sense to use nutritional supplements (which is why gynecologists prescribe certain supplements during pregnancy).

The official statement of the DGE regarding micronutrient supply during pregnancy is as follows:

"Pregnant women should pay special attention to the quality of their diet. In relation to energy needs, the requirement for individual vitamins and minerals/trace elements increases significantly more during pregnancy."

We establish the foundation for the child during pregnancy and influence several factors with proper nutrient intake** that your doctor can explain to you. This is especially true in cases of vegan or vegetarian diets, or highly one-sided nutrition - for example, due to food intolerances - where it's important to consider proper nutrient intake.

Below, we present an overview of nutrients that every pregnant woman can supplement.

We Create Foundations for Our Child's Life During Pregnancy:

The DGE writes, for example: "[...] epidemiological, clinical, and animal experimental studies suggest that nutrition during prenatal, i.e., pre-birth, and early childhood development can have a formative influence on the later development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus." (Source: Prevention begins in the womb https://www.dge.de/presse/pm/praevention-beginnt-bereits-im-mutterleib).

Since baby growth requires certain nutrients, the body takes these first (if available) from the mother's body when they're not sufficiently freely available. This is why the saying exists: "Every child costs the mother a tooth."

Good nutrition is therefore important not only for your child but also protects your own body's resources as a mother. This helps you avoid problems that can arise due to nutrient deficiency during pregnancy.

We recommend that, in addition to good nutrition, you have a solid basic supply that provides all vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, and essential fatty acids:

Focus on a Broad Spectrum of Essential Nutrients

• Ensure all vitamins, especially all B vitamins, particularly Vitamin B12 and folic acid! Folic acid is also recommended for women before pregnancy! Vegetarians and vegans more frequently have challenges with Vitamin B12.
  We repeatedly notice that women only take individual, isolated vitamins. If you have a very specific deficiency, this is certainly good temporarily. However, if you want to increase the general intake of important vitamins, please ensure that all important vitamins are taken in an optimal combination. In the body, many substances work together like gears, which is why isolated individual supplements often don't make much sense. For example, B vitamins are generally recommended in combination products. You can obtain a well-founded combination of many substances through our Optimal Set with PowerCocktail and Resto minerals.
• Ensure good amounts of all minerals and trace elements. These are, for example, building blocks for solid body structures like bones (calcium is needed for maintaining normal bones and preserving normal teeth). Iron supplementation is also frequently discussed during pregnancy.
  The same applies here as with vitamins: please don't use only isolated magnesium or calcium. Only diverse and properly combined mineral supplements provide optimal benefits. Particularly trace elements like copper or zinc are not consumed in optimal amounts by many people today through food alone.
• Definitely supply yourself daily with omega-3 fatty acids! DHA fatty acids are not found in plant foods and are destroyed when heated. You shouldn't eat raw fish during pregnancy, which would often be a good source of DHA... So it becomes somewhat difficult to consume good omega-3 fatty acids in larger quantities if you want to ensure this without nutritional supplements.
• Additional tip: Ensure you consume essential amino acids daily. Every body cell consists of protein/amino acids. Essential amino acids are protein components that cannot be produced by the body itself but must be obtained through food. Since they cannot be stored, they should be consumed daily.

Please contact us if you would like our personal recommendations:

Professional Consultation for Proper Nutritional Supplementation During Pregnancy

Independent sales partner of PM International AG / FitLine

Do you want personal pregnancy consultation? Do you have additional questions about how to ideally prepare for pregnancy, or how to best optimize your nutrition and nutrient intake during this special time?

Then feel free to contact our experts for free pregnancy consultation (independent distributors of PM International AG / FitLine).

Substances and Foods You Should Generally Avoid

Eating well during pregnancy and avoiding contact with dangerous toxins can seem confusing and difficult at first glance. Here we provide you with the most important general recommendations.

Raw or insufficiently cooked animal products - such as sushi, raw meat or eggs, as well as unwashed fruits and vegetables should be avoided. These can contain bacteria or parasites that can be dangerous for pregnant women and the fetus. Certain fish species- particularly those with high mercury content, like swordfish and tuna. Mercury can negatively affect the baby's neurological development.

Heavily processed foods and regular sweets, pastries, and cakes should be limited. These not only promote weight gain but can also lead to nutrient imbalances. Instead, it's advisable to focus on fresh, nutrient-rich foods.

• Conventional sweets and fast food - eat as little as possible.
• Strictly avoid alcohol, even in the smallest amounts! Alcohol can lead to malformations and developmental disorders in the fetus.
• Large amounts of coffee, tea, or energy drinks with caffeine, as well as cola - more than 200 mg of caffeine per day poses a danger.
• Raw plant foods only with special attention to hygiene. Unwashed fruits and vegetables could contain toxins or bacteria. Therefore, it's important to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption and be careful with raw sprouts, for example.
• Raw or insufficiently cooked animal products, dairy products, meat, sausages, and seafood. For example, unpasteurized dairy products should be avoided. Raw animal products can carry harmful germs, bacteria, or viruses like Listeria, which can lead to serious complications.
• Cigarettes and other sources of toxins should be avoided. Seafood and fish can also be heavily contaminated with toxins!
• Artificial sweeteners - Some artificial sweeteners are controversial and should only be consumed in moderation during pregnancy. Aspartam, for example, is not advisable in large quantities. Many people use "zero" products in good faith because they think they're avoiding sugar and eating better. However, such products often contain aspartam or similarly harmful chemical sweeteners instead.
• Certain herbal teas and extracts - Some herbs can trigger contractions or have other unwanted effects. Pregnant women should ensure that the products they consume are safe. For example, you should avoid herbs like wormwood during pregnancy. Many essential oils are also inappropriate.
• Reduce exposure to pesticides (through using good organic products) and chemical additives like preservatives, flavor enhancers, chemical colorants, etc.

Additional Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

A balanced and nutrient-rich diet is of great importance during pregnancy. Pay attention to the following factors in your diet and daily behavior:

• Eat plenty of fresh, preferably organic and wholesome fruits and vegetables** - Colorful fruit and vegetable selection provides vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Berries, broccoli, spinach, bananas, and apples are particularly valuable and should regularly be on the menu.
• Whole grain products - Instead of refined grain products, whole grain varieties like oats, whole grain bread, or millet and quinoa are recommended. They're rich in fiber and many nutrients and are very satisfying.
• Lean proteins - Poultry, fish (like salmon), eggs, and plant sources like legumes (lentils, chickpeas) are excellent protein suppliers that are important for baby's growth.
• Nuts and seeds - Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds, for example, are rich in good fats, proteins, and micronutrients and are satisfying. Make sure to eat nuts and seeds preferably unroasted, if possible even in raw food quality.
• Dairy products - Pasteurized milk, yogurt, and cheese are good calcium sources needed for the baby's bones and teeth. Plant alternatives like almond milk or soy yogurt can also be good options if they're enriched with calcium.
• Good fats - Avocado and olive oil, flax oil (for example, also enriched with DHA omega-3), and native coconut oil are excellent sources of good fats. These can be enjoyed in salads, warm dishes, or on whole grain bread.
• Legumes - Beans, peas, and lentils are rich in proteins, fiber, and B vitamins and should be consumed regularly.
• Nutrient-rich snacks - Try vegetable sticks with hummus, Greek yogurt with fruit, or nuts to satisfy hunger between main meals instead of reaching for sweets.
• Drink sufficient pure water daily and unsweetened teas - Adequate fluid intake is crucial. Water should be the main source of fluid intake, while herbal teas (safe varieties) offer welcome variety.
• Exercise regularly in fresh air - It's best to start with light sports and endurance training before pregnancy to train the body for the additional burden and to get fit for pregnancy and birth.
• Direct your thoughts and emotions positively and ensure many beautiful experiences and feelings. Remember: your baby already feels and experiences along with you.
• Use regular alkaline baths with alkaline bath salt.

Here you will also find more tips for a happy pregnancy.

About the Author

Andreas Gebel has over 25 years of experience in nutrition, fitness, and supplementation. As an independent FitLine expert since 2001, he has coached hundreds of people toward better health and vitality. Learn more about our team.