How the Nurture Questionnaire Works — And Why It Matters

Pregnancy is such a special and unique journey, and every woman’s body has its own specific needs - especially when it comes to nutrition. That’s why personalised supplements are becoming a popular choice for mums-to-be. Nurture’s supplements are carefully crafted to provide just the right nutrients your body needs, helping to support both your health and your baby’s development. But how do we know which nutrients are best suited for you?

This is where our questionnaire comes in. It’s a thoughtful, detailed tool designed to gather important information about your health, lifestyle and unique needs during pregnancy. To help explain how this process works, we spoke with Roxanne Bakker, a registered dietician, nutrition advisor and supplementation expert. In this Q&A, she shares insights on what goes into these customised recommendations and how they can truly enhance your pregnancy experience.

So let’s explore how the questionnaire works and, crucially, how it allows us to create perfectly tailored prenatal supplements for you.

So, what is the Nurture questionnaire and why is it so important?

The questionnaire is a food frequency questionnaire designed to assess what an individual is eating on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. It works alongside a blood test to help identify any nutrient deficiencies. During pregnancy, it’s crucial for both mum’s health and baby's development that the right nutrients are consumed. If certain nutrients are lacking, it can lead to issues such as spina bifida or delayed neurodevelopment.

Why is it essential to avoid nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy?

Nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy can result in serious complications. For instance, insufficient folate can lead to spina bifida, while a lack of omega-3 may impair the baby’s neurodevelopment. This is why pregnant women need to consume a well-balanced diet which meets both their own nutritional needs and those of their developing baby.

And why is accuracy so important when filling out the questionnaire?

Accuracy is vital because it helps us gain a clear understanding of your current diet. Different foods provide different nutrients, so being precise helps us to spot any gaps and determine what you may be lacking. This information is what allows us to create a tailored supplement plan tailored specifically to your needs.

Can you explain why the questionnaire asks about different food categories?

The questionnaire includes various food categories because each group contains specific nutrients essential for pregnancy. For example, oily fish provides omega-3 fatty acids, while meat and dairy contribute vitamin B12, iron and calcium. Even though there might be some overlap in nutrients between categories, it's important to ask about all of them to get a comprehensive overview of your diet.

What key vitamins and minerals are you looking for in the questionnaire, and why are they relevant to pregnancy?

We’re looking for several vitamins and minerals which are critical during pregnancy. These include:

• Folate (or folic acid): Vital for preventing birth defects like spina bifida.
• Iron and vitamin B12: Necessary for producing red blood cells and ensuring your baby’s growth and cellular development.
• Vitamin D and calcium: Important for bone and teeth development; vitamin D helps you  absorb calcium.
• Omega-3 (specifically DHA): Crucial for brain development as the brain is predominantly made of this type of fat.
• Other nutrients like iodine, choline and magnesium: Essential for overall development, especially brain health.

How does the questionnaire measure serving sizes?

To make it as easy as possible for you to fill in, we use hand sizes to represent serving portions. For example, instead of saying a portion of fish is 140 grams, we relate it to the size of your palm. This makes it more visual and tangible, helping you estimate your intake more accurately.

How many questions are in the questionnaire?

There are roughly 40 questions, and we ask that you answer them all as accurately as possible. This helps us create the most personalised and effective supplement for you.

Why should women complete the blood test in addition to the questionnaire?

While the questionnaire gives us a snapshot of your current diet, the blood test provides definitive evidence of nutrient deficiencies. This combination ensures that we’re as precise as possible in recommending supplements tailored to your needs. Plus, by comparing blood test results with the questionnaire, we can continuously improve the accuracy of our process - ensuring the best possible outcomes for both you and your baby.

We hope this helps you to understand how our questionnaire works a bit better, so you can fill yours in with confidence and we can get creating the perfect supplement for you. But if you need a little bit more information, just get in touch - our expert team is here to support you every step of the way.