Does your morning sickness get even worse when you take your prenatal vitamins? You’re not alone: many key ingredients in prenatals can cause nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.^1,2 But continuing prenatal supplementation is critical, especially in the first trimester, when fetal development is underway and nutritional needs are high.

Non-pill prenatals – like powders and gummies – are a great option for women experiencing morning sickness. But which form is best, and why?

We tested three popular brands – Perelel’s First Trimester Prenatal Powder, Olly’s The Essential Prenatal Multi Gummies, and Nature Made’s Prenatal Gummies – to discover the best prenatals for when morning sickness hits.

We compared each on: form factor, ingredients, price, and tolerability. We also consulted Prenatal Dietitian, Stephanie M. Beaudette (M.Ed, RDN), for her expert guidance.

Read on to find out which prenatal vitamin wins.

First Trimester Prenatal Vitamins, Compared

Form Factor:

Powders Outperform Gummies on Nutrient Delivery and Absorption

Gummies may seem like an easy alternative to pills, but come with major trade-offs:

• Fewer nutrients: “Gummies like Olly and Nature Made contain fewer nutrients and more sugars, stabilizers, and fillers,” says Beaudette, our prenatal dietitian. Due to taste, size, and stability issues, they contain 33% less folate than Perelel’s powder form, and neither contain essential minerals like selenium, copper, and more.
• Inconsistent nutrients: The nutrients in gummies degrade rapidly during the manufacturing process. Many brands will add extra nutrients to account for this, leading to discrepancies between labeled and actual ingredient amounts.³
• Artificial sweeteners and additives:  For sweetness and texture, Olly and Nature Made contain 4g and 5g of sugar, respectively, plus glucose syrup and animal-derived gelatin. Studies show that sugar and sweetener intake is correlated with nausea during pregnancy.⁴

In contrast, powders allow for more comprehensive formulations. Without the structural constraints of a gummy, Perelel’s First Trimester Prenatal Powder delivers a wide range of nutrients in higher-potency, bioavailable forms.^5,6 Instead of the gelatin and sugar found in Olly and Nature Made, it uses chicory inulin (a prebiotic) and monkfruit.

“On days when you’re struggling with pills, Perelel’s First Trimester Powder offers a healthy alternative that doesn’t compromise on critical nutrients,” says Beaudette.

Ingredients:

Perelel Wins With Comprehensive Nutrition & Anti-Nausea Support

Vitamin B6 is vital for the first trimester. Crucial for fetal development, it also reduces morning sickness nausea.^7,8

Perelel includes 25 mg of Vitamin B6 per serving, the clinically recommended dosage during the first trimester.⁸ Both Olly and Nature Made have just 2 mg, limiting effectiveness in preventing nausea​. Plus, each contains omega-3s (fish oil), one of the leading causes of prenatal morning sickness.¹

“Perelel is the best option,” affirms Beaudette, our prenatal dietitian. “Its higher vitamin B6 content alleviates nausea effectively.”

Perelel’s First Trimester Prenatal Powder has the most complete nutritional profile of the three prenatal supplements we tested. Each serving includes 20 essential vitamins and minerals, with key nutrients like methylated folate, choline, iodine, and magnesium. Perelel uses highly bioavailable forms of nutrients—like L-5 methylfolate and chelated minerals—which are more easily absorbed and gentler on the stomach​.^5,6

In contrast, Olly’s The Essential Prenatal Multi contains just 14 nutrients. Notably, Olly omits calcium and magnesium, crucial for muscle function, cramping relief, and early fetal brain development.⁹ Nature Made’s Prenatal Gummies contain 17 nutrients, but omit selenium, copper, chromium and more. Both gummies rely on added sugars, gelatin, and flavoring agents for their form and taste, which can amplify nausea.^4,10

Please note that these products are not for daily use, but instead for days when pills cannot be tolerated.

Price:

Olly Is the Most Affordable Option

Olly’s The Essential Prenatal Multi is the most budget-friendly option at $13.99 for 30 servings. Nature Made’s Prenatal Gummies are slightly higher, while Perelel’s First Trimester Prenatal Powder is pricier.

As mentioned, both gummy options include fewer nutrients, and use lower-quality or less bioavailable forms of those nutrients.

All three are cheaper than the prenatal capsules they replace when morning sickness makes pills difficult to take.

Tolerability:

Perelel Wins With a Neutral Taste and No Nausea

Perelel’s First Trimester Prenatal Powder stands out with a light vanilla flavor that mixes easily into smoothies, yogurt, or milk. Testers described it as “like a small scoop of protein powder -you don’t really notice it,” and appreciated that it didn’t have any strong or lingering aftertaste. Plus, the extra B6 and powder form make it easier on the stomach.

Olly’s gummies came in second, with a mildly sweet flavor and soft chew. However, some testers reported a fishy smell due to its omega-3, which can be a dealbreaker during bouts of nausea.

Nature Made’s gummies ranked lowest. Despite the fruity flavoring, the taste was off-putting - described as a mix of synthetic fruit and fish oil. For many, this was enough to trigger nausea, making the gummies difficult to take consistently.

Perelel’s shake-friendly format and neutral taste make it the best choice when your stomach is unsettled.

Takeaways

Perelel’s First Trimester Prenatal Powder emerged as the best non-pill prenatal. It includes 20 essential nutrients in bioavailable forms, including vitamin B6 to help reduce nausea. The powder is versatile and neutral in flavor, making it easy to mix into smoothies or yogurt.

Our Prenatal Dietitian, Stephanie Beaudette, agrees: “Perelel stands out because it is specifically designed to address nausea and vomiting, which can make it difficult to take other supplements.”

Ready to try Perelel? With HD, save 20% on your first order!

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^{*Please note that powder and gummy prenatals are not intended to replace pill options; rather, offer an alternative during bouts of morning sickness.}

^{1. Medical News Today: Fish Oil Smell and Gastrointestinal Symptoms}

^{2 Cochrane Library: Iron Weakens Gut Lining}

^{3. Cleveland Clinic: Gummy Nutrient Discrepancies}

^{4. The Guardian: High Sugar Intake Correlated With Increased Morning Sickness}

^{5. NIH: Methylfolate Better For Absorption}

^{6. NIH: Chelated Minerals Better For Absorption}

^{7. Baby Center: B6 and Fetal Development}

^{8. Kaiser Permanente: Vitamin B6 For Morning Sickness}

^{9. Mayo Clinic: Prenatal Calcium and Choline Needs}

^{10. NCT: Avoid Strong Flavors During Morning Sickness}