Needed vs Ritual Prenatal Review

In partnership with Needed

Needed vs Ritual Prenatal Review 

Nutrition has the power to change health outcomes for mothers and babies. Not just birth outcomes, but your fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and lifelong health thereafter. Women’s nutritional needs are at an all-time high in the perinatal stage. Even the best diet is unlikely to be able to meet your needs. 

The first 1,000 days, spanning from conception to your child’s second birthday, are nothing short of game-changers. What you consume during this critical window can shape your child’s lifelong health.

Take Choline, for example. You’d need to eat 4 eggs each day to get 400 mg. To get enough Folate, you’d need 10 cups of raw spinach, or 3 avocados each day. For many pregnant women, nausea in early pregnancy and feelings of fullness in later pregnancy make it hard enough to get any food down, let alone the most nutrient-dense food. 

That’s where a prenatal vitamin comes in. A comprehensive prenatal vitamin contains optimal forms and dosages of the vitamins and minerals a mother or mother-to-be’s body needs to help support her growing baby as well as her own health.

Practitioners recommend that women planning for children start a prenatal supplement at least three months before. Prenatal vitamins have been historically designed around RDAs, the bare minimum amount needed to avoid a disease condition. 

These RDAs are based on outdated research methods. In fact, pregnant and nursing women were intentionally excluded from much of the research that underpins these recommendations. The prenatal vitamin industry is failing women, leaving 95% of women who take a prenatal nutritionally depleted when they need nutrients most.

The physical and emotional transformation of motherhood leaves women depleted in mind and body, yet most prenatal supplement companies offer bare minimums rather than delivering the powerful nutrients women truly need. We did the research for you and compared two popular prenatal supplement brands: Needed and Ritual, to help you make the most informed choice on what’s best for you and your baby.

Key Comparison Factors 

• Key vitamins and minerals in optimal forms and dosages: A comprehensive prenatal should provide essential nutrients in forms and dosages that are readily absorbed and utilized by the body. Look for formulations that include vital nutrients like Choline, Folate, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 fatty acids in amounts tailored to meet the increased demands of pregnancy.
• Third-party testing: Opt for prenatal supplements that undergo rigorous third-party testing to verify their potency, purity, and safety. Independent testing helps ensure that the product meets quality standards and is free from contaminants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and harmful microbes, providing peace of mind regarding its safety and efficacy.
• Easy-to-take form: Consider the convenience and ease of consumption when choosing a prenatal supplement. Whether in the form of capsules, tablets, powders, or liquids, selecting a formulation that aligns with your preferences and lifestyle can enhance compliance and adherence to your supplement regimen. Additionally, factors such as taste, texture, and any potential side effects should be taken into account to ensure a positive experience with the product.

About Needed

Founded in 2017 by Julie Sawaya and Ryan Woodbury, two mothers and trained nutritionists, Needed addresses the critical gap in women’s perinatal care. With over three years of development, they’ve crafted the market’s leading prenatal and Complete Nutritional System™, catering from conception to new motherhood and beyond. 

By collaborating with over 4,000 practitioners and prioritizing third-party testing, Needed ensures tailored support for women at every stage while upholding rigorous standards. Committed to social and environmental responsibility, Needed is a Certified B Corp, Certified Climate Neutral, Certified Plastic Neutral, and a member of 1% for the Planet.

Prenatal:

Needed offers comprehensive prenatal solutions in both capsule and vanilla-flavored powder forms. Their Prenatal Multi Capsules and Prenatal Multi Powder contain meticulously formulated 26 vitamins and minerals, meeting the heightened demands of pregnancy and nursing. 

Developed in collaboration with perinatal practitioners and informed by extensive testing, Needed’s Prenatal Multi ensures optimal nutrient delivery, with over 7 times more Choline than typical one-a-day and gummy prenatals. Sourcing consciously and avoiding unnecessary fillers, Needed prioritizes essential nutrients best taken separately.

Form(s):

Available as Powder or Capsule.

About Ritual

Ritual provides a prenatal supplement offering 12 essential nutrients in a convenient two-capsule serving. While the company prioritizes thoughtful choices in nutrient forms, opting for methylated and chelated varieties, the dosages may fall short of meeting a mother’s optimal needs. 

For instance, Ritual’s inclusion of Choline, at 55 mg, may not suffice, considering that 95% of women fail to meet their baseline choline requirements during pregnancy. Current research suggests pregnant women require at least 450 mg daily, with even more favorable outcomes linked to intakes of 930 mg per day. In comparison, Needed’s Prenatal Multi contains 400 mg of Choline, almost seven times the amount found in Ritual’s formulation. 

Ritual’s prenatal supplement is available exclusively in capsule form.

Needed vs Ritual: The Verdict

If you’re seeking the most comprehensive prenatal multivitamin, meticulously formulated with essential vitamins and minerals crucial for both you and your baby’s well-being, Needed emerges as the clear choice. 

Here’s why:

1. Twice the Key Nutrients: Needed provides twice as many vital nutrients in optimal dosages compared to Ritual, ensuring comprehensive nutritional support at just a slightly higher cost.
2. Rigorous Testing and Certifications: Every batch of Needed’s prenatal undergoes third-party testing, ensuring potency, purity, and safety. Moreover, Needed is Clean Label Project Verified and Plastic Neutral Certified, reflecting its commitment to quality and sustainability.
3. Versatile Formulations: Whether you prefer capsules or powder, Needed offers its prenatal in both forms, accommodating various preferences and lifestyles.
4. Expert Recommendation: With the endorsement of over 4,000 perinatal practitioners, including OB-GYNs, naturopathic doctors, and perinatal nutritionists, Needed’s efficacy and reliability are reinforced by expert approval.
5. Value-Added Benefits: Subscribers to Needed enjoy a range of perks, including a complimentary nutrition consultation, exclusive discounts on subscription offerings, and assurance that iron, which not all mothers require, is omitted for individualized supplementation.
6. Optimized Packaging: Needed packages its products thoughtfully to safeguard the potency of nutrients, ensuring maximum efficacy from each dose. Their products also look beautiful left out on a countertop! 

Explore Needed’s products and pre-bundled plans to discover the perfect fit for your nutritional needs. Plus, unlock access to a complimentary nutritionist consultation and save up to 30% by becoming a subscriber today.

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