10/01/2026
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
1. Folate and folic acid are NOT the same thing. Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9 that is found in foods. Folic acid is a synthetic form of B9 that is found in most supplements. It is fully oxidized and doesn’t cross the placenta the way methylated folate does. Folate is an important vitamin throughout pregnancy, but it is extremely important during the first trimester.
2. Eggs are not to be feared. Eggs are a rich source of choline. Choline is an extremely critical nutrient during pregnancy that supports the baby’s brain development and offers protective benefits, reducing the risk of neural tube defects. Generally, the risk of consuming eggs during pregnancy is being exposed to salmonella. Egg-related food poisoning accounts for 3% of all salmonella reports (you have a higher chance of getting food poisoning from fruit and vegetables!).
3. Not all iron supplements are made the same! Pregnancy is very demanding of the body’s iron stores, especially in the second and third trimester. Ferrous fumarate and ferrous sulfate are the most commonly prescribed iron supplements, but they are also the least absorbable forms with the highest rate of side effects. Heme iron (highly bioavailable form found from animal foods) and iron bisglycinate have a higher absorption rate and are less likely to cause gastrointestinal complications.
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