Can't Swallow Your Prenatal? Nutritionist Lilly Lloyd's Bliss Ball Recipe Has You Covered
The number of women I speak to who have quietly stopped taking their prenatal because it makes them gag is genuinely significant. It makes sense. Pregnancy heightens your sensitivity to smell, taste and texture in ways that are completely out of your control, and the thought of swallowing a capsule when you are already nauseous can feel like one ask too many.
Here is what most people do not know: capsule-based prenatals can be opened and the contents stirred into food. The nutrients are not affected by this because there is no heat involved. The powder inside moode capsules is completely tasteless. And this recipe was built specifically with that workaround in mind.
Every ingredient here does more than one job. Nothing is filler.
Why Can You Add Prenatal Capsules to Food?
Capsule formulations are made to be opened. Unlike coated tablets, which require the coating for slow release or stomach protection, capsules contain powder that is already in its usable form. Stirring the contents into something cold, such as a bliss ball, a smoothie or yoghurt, does not degrade the nutrients because no heat is applied. The nutrients are absorbed through digestion exactly as they would be if you had swallowed the capsule directly.
This is particularly useful in the first trimester, when nausea peaks and the idea of taking anything at all can feel impossible. Getting your daily dose into a bliss ball means you can eat it in pieces throughout the day if needed, rather than taking everything at once.
What Makes These Bliss Balls Fertility-Friendly?
Every ingredient in this recipe was chosen with nutritional purpose. Here is what each one brings.
Ginger
Raw ginger contains phytochemicals that help alleviate morning sickness and improve gastric emptying, which means food moves through your digestive system more efficiently, reducing the stagnation that contributes to nausea. A 2014 meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that 1g of ginger daily for at least four days was associated with a fivefold improvement in pregnancy nausea. These balls contain raw ginger as a meaningful ingredient, not a trace amount.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds contain lignans, which support hormone balance and help reduce inflammation. They also provide plant-based omega-3 fatty acids (ALA), which support overall reproductive health, and significant fibre, which is relevant given that constipation is one of the most common pregnancy discomforts.
Black Tahini
Rich in vitamin E, calcium and essential fatty acids, all of which support reproductive and maternal health. Calcium is particularly important in pregnancy as requirements increase from around 20 weeks as the baby's skeleton develops.
Collagen
Collagen provides glycine and proline, amino acids that support tissue repair, skin elasticity and connective tissue health through pregnancy and into the postpartum period.
Cacao
Cacao is one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. It contains magnesium, which supports energy production, muscle function and sleep quality during pregnancy, alongside zinc, which plays a key role in cell development and immune function.
Pumpkin Seeds
Rich in zinc and magnesium, pumpkin seeds provide a concentrated dose of minerals that are commonly depleted during pregnancy.
Prenatal-Fuelled Bliss Balls
You will need
- 1 tablespoon raw ginger, grated
- Three-quarter cup pumpkin seeds, blended
- Quarter cup flaxseeds, blended, plus 1 tablespoon added whole after blending
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- One-third cup collagen powder
- One-third cup black tahini
- 2 tablespoons honey
- A handful of cacao nibs
- A pinch of salt
- 2 opened The Prenatal by moode capsules (your daily dose)
This recipe uses 2 opened capsules of The Prenatal by moode, a full daily dose, stirred through the mixture once everything else is combined. The powder is tasteless and completely unaffected by mixing into cold food. Always read the label and follow directions for use.
To make
- Blend the pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds to a flour.
- Add to a bowl with all remaining ingredients except the prenatal capsules.
- Once everything is combined, open the prenatal capsules and stir the contents through the mixture.
- Scoop and roll into bite-sized balls.
- Refrigerate until set.
moode Answers Your Questions About Taking Prenatals With Nausea
Can you really open prenatal capsules and add them to food?
Yes, if your prenatal is in capsule form. The powder inside can be stirred into cold food without affecting the nutrients, because no heat is involved in the digestion process. moode capsules are designed to be opened if needed. The contents are completely tasteless.
Which foods work best for mixing prenatal powder into?
Smoothies, yoghurt, chia pudding, bliss balls and juice all work well. The key is that the food is cold or room temperature. Avoid hot foods or drinks as heat can degrade certain nutrients.
When is the best time to eat prenatal-infused food?
After a meal or as a snack, never on an empty stomach. Taking your nutrients with food reduces the likelihood of any digestive discomfort and supports the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients like vitamin D.
Is ginger safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Ginger is considered safe during pregnancy in food amounts and is one of the most well-researched natural remedies for pregnancy nausea. Clinical guidelines from the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (SOMANZ) include ginger among the recommended first-line options for managing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
Do I still get the full nutritional benefit if I eat the prenatal in food instead of swallowing the capsule?
Yes. The nutrients in capsule powder are absorbed through digestion regardless of whether they arrive in capsule form or mixed through food. What matters is that the food is cold, not heated, as some heat-sensitive vitamins can degrade at high temperatures.
For more on why prenatal vitamins trigger nausea and a full guide to what else actually helps, see Do Prenatal Vitamins Have Side Effects? What's Normal and What to Do About It.
For more on first trimester nutrition and managing nausea through diet, see Surviving the First Trimester.
Every ingredient here does more than one job. Nothing is filler.
