Why Is Calcium so Important During Pregnancy? #BumpUpYourCalcium

calcium-important-during-pregnancy

Did you know that 68% of women aren’t getting enough calcium every day? That’s more than 2/3 of us who just aren’t quite making it to the recommended daily amount. While all of us need calcium to support pretty much every system in our bodies, during pregnancy it becomes even more vital. Not only does it help keep you healthier overall, but it’s actually necessary for your baby’s development! Today we’re going to talk a bit about the importance of calcium during pregnancy; then I’ll tell you more about my favorite way to make sure I’m getting enough and how you can save $2 on Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews!

Why is Calcium So Important During Your Pregnancy?

Calcium is important to just about every part of our body, from our skeletal system to our hearts. Bottom line, you need it. No ifs and’s or buts! When you’re pregnant, every part of your body is working even harder. Your bones and muscles need to support your growing belly, and your heart needs to pump more blood through your circulatory system. These things require calcium, among other vitamins and minerals. It is also one of the building blocks of strong bones and teeth, so it makes sense that your developing baby will need plenty of it too.

Along with building strong bones and muscles in both your body and that of your baby’s, calcium plays a substantial role in an overall healthy pregnancy. A deficiency in the vital nutrient can potentially lead to complications, like preeclampsia. I am all too familiar with that complication. It’s the reason my son was born 8 weeks early.

Just how much calcium do you need during pregnancy?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day for pregnant women (and breastfeeding women too!). If you are 19 or younger, you’ll need a bit more: 1, 300 mg per day, according to Viactiv. In addition to the calcium, you’ll also need plenty of vitamin D, as the two kinds of go hand in hand.

How can you make sure you’re getting enough calcium?

In theory, it’s totally possible to get your calcium from your diet.  If you drink milk, that’s just over three 8-oz glasses worth. Many other dairy foods are rich in calcium as well. If you’re vegan or just don’t eat dairy products, it gets a little harder. Broccoli is a great source of calcium, weighing in at about 348mg per cup. Other veggie sources include kale, Bok Choy and Edamame, but each of those only has between 50-100 mg per serving.

You’ll note that I said “in theory” up above. Yes, you could manage to get pretty much every vital nutrient needed just by eating very well. The problem with theories, though, is that they work out much better in your head than in reality! I am an incredibly picky eater. While I did drink milk and ate yummy cheesy goodness during my pregnancy, I knew I probably still wasn’t getting all the calcium I needed. Plus I had horrible morning sickness during my first trimester so that definitely made it hard to eat right.

Get your recommended amount of calcium with delicious Viactiv!

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Did you know that most prenatal vitamins only provide about 20-30% of the daily calcium requirement? While that may work for some people who can get the rest through their diet, the rest of us may need an additional supplement. For me, that supplement has been Viactiv since the first time I tried it.

calcium-important-during-pregnancy

Viactiv is a delicious, flavorful chew that, when taken as directed, provides not just your recommended daily requirement of calcium, but also Vitamins D and K. I love the chocolate flavor, but it also comes in caramel. They are the #1 doctor recommended calcium supplement chew for a good reason! Not only do they taste pretty fantastic, but they’re easy to take any time of the day. Since the chews are individually wrapped, I can pop them right in my purse or overnight bag when I’m on the go.

Of course, calcium alone isn’t enough to help you have a healthy pregnancy. I’m sure you already know that, but you’ll also need to get plenty of your other vitamins and minerals! You also need to make sure you take care of yourself by getting plenty of sleep, eating right overall and taking a little time for yourself as often as possible.

Ready to try these delicious calcium chews? Visit the Viactiv website to learn more! Follow Viactiv on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with their news!

Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews are available in milk chocolate and caramel flavors at major retailers including CVS, Rite Aid, BJs Wholesale Club, Target, and Walmart, as well as supermarkets nationwide.
Learn more about Viactiv at www.Viactiv.com.

This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation on behalf of Viactiv that contains affiliate links. I received Viactiv products for my own personal use. This post is not intended to address or diagnose any medical conditions. All opinions, text and experiences are my own. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please speak with your healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns.

How did you make sure you got enough calcium during pregnancy? Share your tips in the comments!

8 thoughts on “Why Is Calcium so Important During Pregnancy? #BumpUpYourCalcium”

  1. I had calcium when I got pregnant and during lactation. I think it is really a must-have especially during these times.

  2. Calcium is definitely so important during pregnancy because it builds those bones! I have taken these calcium supplements in the past.

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