Vitamin A?

[xkatyx]

Hi ladies,

Me and my husband are TTC and in my last 2 pregnancy's i was actually given a free sample of ovulatine (the malt drink) and always drank it for the vitamins etc.

I have started drinking it now and have been for few month's todsy i was telling my sister (who is newly pregnant) how good it is for vitamins folic acid etc and as i was reading on the bavk of it , it saod vitamin A
I know in pregnancy this should be avoided.

So basically has anyone had or been told to drink it as well?

[MumNWLondon]

vit A only a problem if animal sources and in excess... is ovaltine suitable for veggies because if it is it would have to be vegetarian vit a which is fine (good) in pregnancy.

www.ovaltine.co.uk/mygoodness

[xkatyx]

Oh i'm not sure i'll have a look :-)

Theres me thinking i was being really good, i hope it is ok.

x

[xkatyx]

Bit confussed it sais on the web site >

Vitamin A is vital for the healthy development of your baby's eyes and nerves. It also helps to strengthen immunity and maintain healthy skin and mucus linings (in the nose, for example).

A well-balanced diet should provide you with all the vitamin A you need during your pregnancy. Retinol comes from animal sources and carotene is found in vegetables. Good sources of vitamin A include milk, cheese and yoghurt, eggs, oily fish (e.g. mackerel and herring), fortified margarine, and vegetables - especially red or yellow coloured veg. However, certain foods are rich in Vitamin A and these should be avoided during pregnancy, as should supplements of Vitamin A.

So it should be ok?

[megonthemoon]

I've never heard you should avoid ovaltine. The only things advised against for having too much Vit A are liver products, so I think it should be fine provided you are only having one or two cups of ovaltine a day. If you have an 8-a-day addiction then maybe you should cut back, but otherwise I can't imagine it wouldb't be fine Maybe check with your midwife if you are concerned.

[xkatyx]

Hmmmm they usually give it out in those bounty packs when you get pregnant, it does say "for mum's to be" on the web site. I'm sure it's fine .. i actually dont like the stuff lol just drink it for the goodness and only have 1 cup of an evening :-)

[MumNWLondon]

there is too much ignorance on vitamin A - vit A is essential for developing baby and your baby would really suffer if you were deficient.

however too much of the animal form of vitamin A (retinol) can cause birth defects.
the vegetable form of vitamin A (beta carotene) is totally safe (and essential).

its vegetarian which means it can't contain retinol so drink up

[xkatyx]

Oh thats brilliant, so it's the good vitamin A? lol all very confussing ha ha

x