Turning Pain Into Purpose: One Couple's Mission to Transform Prenatal Nutrition
Dr. Behzad and Hannah Varamini never anticipated discovering a silver lining amid some of the darkest moments in their lives. They experienced the heartbreak of losing their first pregnancy at 8 weeks, followed by a second loss the following year at 16 weeks. During these challenging years of loss, the inspiration for Tend—a real-food, snackable prenatal supplement—emerged.
Hannah, who had a lifelong aversion to swallowing pills, had been taking large prenatal vitamins for years, a chore that made the "trying to conceive and stay pregnant" journey even harder. And they later learned that 51% of American women also struggle with pill-taking—a common yet often unspoken issue.
Meanwhile, Behzad had been researching the ingredients in available prenatal options, noting that all contained synthetic nutrients. With his background in nutrition and PhD expertise, he understood that synthetic nutrients lack the potency and absorption efficiency of nutrients found in foods. This knowledge motivated him to formulate Tend using only food-derived nutrients, ensuring optimal delivery of essential nutrients for pregnancy, such as folate, choline, calcium, and omega-3 DHA—an achievement rarely seen in other prenatals. For Dr. Behzad and Hannah, the journey of trying to conceive was challenging enough. They wanted to create an option for women that was easier to take and, ideally, something to look forward to.
The couple has since come out the other side of their fertility journey, with not just a beautiful rainbow baby, but also a first-of-its kind supplement for hopeful and expecting moms like Hannah. Here, the couple behind Tend shares more about their story—plus what other parents-to-be need to know about supplementing while trying to conceive, during pregnancy…and beyond!
What role does nutrition play when trying to conceive?
From preconception to postpartum, the food you eat literally becomes part of your baby. A mother’s nutrition, and nothing else, serves as the cellular building blocks of baby. It’s mind blowing.
Most importantly, nutrition is one of the pillars that’s actually in our control when optimizing health for fertility. We know that, even before baby is conceived, essential nutrients like folate and choline are critical in optimizing egg health, to ensure a viable pregnancy from the earliest stages.
Here are some examples: A Harvard study demonstrated the importance of eating Omega-3 Fatty Acids (found in seafood and nuts/seeds) to nourish egg quality, and avoiding Omega-6 fats (commonly found in soybean and corn oil), which reduce egg quality. Further studies show that antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, along with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) help maintain ovarian function and combat oxidative stress. Studies have shown that NAC, found in foods like fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, whole grains, and broccoli, preserves egg quality by stabilizing egg DNA and protecting the cell's mitochondria (Chiu et al.; Rimoldi et al.).
We always encourage people to pursue a nutrient-dense diet as a primary part of the fertility puzzle, but it’s sometimes difficult to get all those vitamins and minerals from food alone. Supplements play a role, helping women meet their needs amidst a busy lifestyle where it’s difficult to intentionally plan every day and meal to be balanced and nutritious. That’s why we created Tend – the only comprehensive, 100% food-based fertility supplement on the market. Most practitioners recommend starting on a prenatal at least three to six months before trying to conceive, as that is the typical time frame for the egg to mature before it releases.
Tend uses food-based nutrients—can you explain what that means and why is it beneficial?
Vitamins and minerals come from plants – and plants literally make every vitamin, initially for themselves, and those are then passed through to other animals (like humans!) when we eat food. Our bodies have, for thousands of years, come to recognize and expect these vitamins in specific chemical forms, to be delivered and absorbed by our bodies from the foods that they are found in. The chemical makeup of foods, and the way that specific nutrients are “attached” and delivered alongside other factors in the whole food, helps our bodies to collectively recognize and absorb these nutrients.
These food-based nutrients are the basis for human nutrition and have been for thousands of years. Vitamins and minerals are co-delivered in a “food matrix,” which means they are packaged in a way that helps the body recognize and utilize them. The way these nutrients are delivered together in food also ensures that they are safe.
However, in an effort to more economically boost nutrient delivery, humans have come up with ways to industrially (in a lab!) make chemical structures that are identical, or similar, to those vitamins found in foods, i.e. synthetic vitamins. Companies put these synthetic nutrients, which are individual chemical structures devoid of the co-factors that normally come alongside them in foods, into pills and gummies, making for an economical and convenient delivery of “nutrition”. Unfortunately, even if we as consumers don’t understand these nuanced and critical differences, our bodies do, and these isolated synthetic nutrients aren’t nearly as well absorbed or potent as food-based nutrients.
Case in point: synthetic vitamin E is absorbed half as well as vitamin E in foods. Vitamin C is 300 times more powerful as an antioxidant from foods than from synthetic, supplemental sources. The list goes on. In fact, decades of research and clinical trials of humans taking synthetic multivitamins has shown very little to no positive effect on human health. The data on dietary changes and human health though? It is remarkable. We created Tend based on this powerful scientifically backed knowledge.
Why did you decide to pursue a food-based supplement rather than a synthetic one?
Behzad’s PhD research focused on prenatal nutrition and infant brain development. It was clear, not only through his own work, but through the work of many scientists before him, that synthetic vitamins do not match the magic and synergy of nutrients as found in foods.
Preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum are some of the most important stages of life from a nutritional standpoint. Most people don’t realize that what a mother eats during this season can impact their children’s cognitive development for years! As parents to-be, we want to set up our own kids (and hopefully many others) for the best possible outcomes.
We want to provide the most natural option for women to nourish themselves and their baby during pregnancy. Many people don’t realize just how short synthetic vitamins fall, compared to nutrients from food. With women already demanding (and rightly so!) natural alternatives to synthetic, artificial products in skincare, baby food, and household products, why not multivitamins?
And so Tend was born.
Tend is a movement: educating and equipping families with the knowledge of just how powerful a nutrient-dense diet is—alongside creating products that provide the healthiest, convenient, and easy-to-take supplements for pivotal life stages.
What are some nonnegotiable nutrients that developing infants need?
After birth, specific nutrients are crucial for infant development, particularly if breastfeeding, as these are passed to baby through maternal nutrition:
- Iron: Critical for neurodevelopment, iron supports oxygen transport to the brain and other tissues. Sufficient iron levels in infancy contribute to improved cognitive outcomes.
- Vitamin B12: Essential for myelination and red blood cell production, B12 is key for brain and nervous system development. Breastfed infants rely on maternal B12, with deficiencies linked to developmental delays.
- Choline: Necessary for brain structure and memory formation, choline contributes to acetylcholine production, a neurotransmitter for learning. Early choline intake is associated with improved cognitive function.
- DHA: This omega-3 fatty acid, a major component of brain and retinal tissue, supports cognitive and visual development. Adequate DHA levels in infancy are associated with enhanced cognitive performance.
- Vitamin D: Vital for bone mineralization and immune regulation, vitamin D deficiency in infancy can lead to rickets and weakened immune responses. Supplementation is recommended for breastfed infants.
Do a pregnant person’s nutritional needs change over the course of pregnancy?
A pregnant person’s nutritional needs evolve somewhat throughout pregnancy, but they don’t change dramatically. Dietary recommendations for core nutrients like protein, iron, calcium, and folate remain consistently important across all trimesters, supporting the baby’s development and the mother’s health.
Of course, meeting increased needs through diet alone can be challenging, especially early in the pregnancy, due to factors like food aversions and nausea. This is where supplements, including prenatal vitamins, play a crucial role—helping women bridge nutritional gaps. While some women have recently gravitated toward a trimester-specific approach to their prenatal vitamin, we don’t see any solid science that backs up these claims. Instead, find a quality whole food prenatal supplement that can complement a nutrient-dense diet that includes the following:
- First trimester is an essential stage of baby’s growth, when getting enough folate and choline is important as cells are rapidly growing. Early pregnancy is also one of the more challenging times to stomach a prenatal vitamin. Many women have found that grazing on one small Tend bar through the day is doable, whereas swallowing pills or sugary gummies proved to be difficult.
- During second and third trimester, as baby’s bones and muscles develop, calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium become particularly important. Iron needs increase to support a larger blood volume, so adding iron-rich foods like leafy greens, beans, and lean meats helps. Protein is also key for the baby’s growth. DHA (an omega-3) supports the baby’s brain and eye development, while iron continues to prevent fatigue and aid blood flow to the baby.
How about postpartum—how do a parent's needs change after pregnancy?
After childbirth, a woman’s nutritional needs shift to support recovery, energy, and, if breastfeeding, milk production.
Here’s a breakdown of key nutrients that are particularly important in postpartum, alongside benefits for baby if breastfed:
- Iron: After childbirth, blood loss can significantly reduce iron stores, making iron critical for restoring energy, immune function, and reducing postpartum fatigue. Low iron levels are linked to increased risks of postpartum depression and fatigue.
- Vitamin B12: This vitamin is essential for energy production, red blood cell formation, and nervous system function. Postpartum B12 supports the new mother’s energy levels and mood regulation, both crucial for managing the demands of early parenthood. B12 is also important for breastfed infants, as deficiencies can impact infant development.
- DHA: This omega-3 fatty acid is essential for brain health, reduces inflammation to aid physical recovery, and supports mental health, lowering postpartum depression risk. For baby, DHA helps improve cognitive function by promoting neural development.
- Vitamin D: Postpartum vitamin D is important for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Research suggests that low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of postpartum depression, as it plays a role in regulating mood-related neurotransmitters.
- Choline: Choline supports maternal brain function, mood, and breast milk quality, which contributes to the baby’s brain and memory development. Adequate choline intake postpartum has been shown to benefit the cognitive outcomes of breastfed infants, making it an important nutrient for both mother and child.
Can you explain the “synergy” element of nutrients—why do some nutrients work better than others?
Nutrient synergy means that nutrients are more effective when they work together, as they naturally do when we eat whole foods. Our bodies are optimized to absorb nutrients in the balanced combinations found in foods, where they enhance each other’s absorption and effectiveness. For example, vitamin C helps us absorb iron from plant sources, vitamin D boosts calcium absorption, and dietary fats are essential for absorbing vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fiber (which is found in foods, not in isolated synthetic nutrients) also plays a critical role, aiding the absorption of various minerals while supporting overall digestive health.
While supplements can help with specific deficiencies, they often lack this natural nutrient interplay, leading to less effective absorption. Research shows that whole food nutrients offer a full spectrum of health benefits due to these natural combinations, making them superior to isolated, synthetic nutrients as found in pills and gummies.
On the flip side, are there any “red flag” ingredients people should avoid?
Yes, there are a few ingredients to watch out for. Some synthetic supplements, like folic acid, can be difficult for some people to process effectively, particularly those with the MTHFR gene variant. Look for methylated folate instead.
Synthetic choline, often listed as choline bitartrate, is another red flag—it can raise [Trimethylamine N-oxide] TMAO levels, which are linked to blood clotting and heart disease, and may restrict blood flow during pregnancy. Food-sourced choline, like phosphatidylcholine from eggs or seeds, is a safer and better absorbed choice.
Also, avoid “other ingredients” usually just there to help supplement bind together or flow through a machine during manufacturing – these ingredients are not nutritive! And perhaps most obviously, avoid excessive sugars, artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives, which are often added to gummies but don’t support a healthier pregnancy.
What are some common misconceptions about nutrition that you encounter?
A big misconception is that prenatal nutrition needs to change drastically from trimester to trimester. While there are certain nutrients, like folate early on and iron later in pregnancy, that may be more important at specific times, a well-balanced diet supports a healthy pregnancy across all stages.
Another common myth is that prenatal vitamins alone can fill all nutritional gaps. In reality, they don’t replace a balanced diet. Key nutrients like protein, fiber, and antioxidants are best obtained from whole foods, which also provide a broader range of nutrients and support digestion and energy. For instance, choline, often overlooked in prenatal vitamins, plays a critical role in fetal brain development but is best absorbed from food sources like eggs.
Many also believe postpartum nutrition isn’t as crucial as pregnancy nutrition, but postnatal nutrition is vital for recovery, breastfeeding, and energy levels, and can even help reduce the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety. If you’re breastfeeding, you need additional nutrients to support milk production.
Ultimately, a balanced, whole-food diet, paired with high-quality, food-based supplements, support both mom and baby best throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Is there anything else you think our readers should know?
It’s important to remember that the vitamin industry is relatively young, and synthetic vitamins haven’t been studied long-term, especially for pregnancy. Real, food-based nutrients have a safer, proven track record and are usually easier for our bodies to absorb.
It’s also sometimes hard to tell if your supplement is actually sourced from food. Many vitamin companies might have a pinch of fruits & vegetables listed on their label (for reference, 3, but the nutrients themselves are still synthetic. For example, if a nutrient is listed as sourced from “fermented nutrient” or “fermented quinoa” that actually means it’s still a synthetic nutrient.
Beyond vitamins, key macronutrients like protein and fiber, essential for growth and digestion, aren’t found in synthetic prenatal supplements. Whole foods remain the best sources, and options like Tend’s whole-food snackable supplement make it easier to get these nutrients even with food aversions.
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