No, Bloom Greens is not specifically recommended for use during pregnancy; talk with your healthcare professional before taking any powdered greens.
Greens powders promise a quick shot of vegetables in a glass—a tempting shortcut when morning sickness makes eating real greens feel impossible. Between fatigue, food aversions, and nausea, the last thing many pregnant women want is to prep a salad, so a powdered greens drink seems like a smart, low-effort way to get vitamins.
But unlike whole vegetables, these powders are classified as supplements, not food—and the rules around supplements are looser. Bloom Greens is one of the most popular options on the market, yet no major health organization recommends it for expecting moms. Research on the safety of powdered greens during pregnancy is limited, and the blend includes ingredients that some sources flag as potentially risky. The honest answer: talk with your healthcare team before adding any greens powder to your routine.
What’s Inside Bloom Greens
Bloom Greens and Superfoods powder contains a proprietary blend of fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and herbal extracts. While many ingredients are harmless on their own, the combination—and the lack of pregnancy-specific safety data—makes it a gray area.
The herbal ingredients are the main concern. Sources like the Daily Dose note that ashwagandha, licorice root, green tea extract, ginseng, and astragalus are commonly found in green powders and may be unsafe during pregnancy. The effects of these herbs on fetal development aren’t well understood.
On the other hand, whole-food ingredients such as spinach, kale, and spirulina are generally considered safe and can provide nutrients like iron and folate. The issue is that Bloom’s blend doesn’t separate these from the herbs. And because the FDA doesn’t review supplements for safety before they hit shelves the way it does for medications, what’s on the label may not match what’s in the scoop.
Why “Natural” Doesn’t Mean “Safe”
It’s easy to assume that because greens powders come from plants, they’re automatically pregnancy-friendly. But herbal supplements can have powerful effects—and not all are beneficial during pregnancy. Here are a few ingredients in Bloom Greens that raise red flags for pregnancy experts.
- Ashwagandha: This adaptogenic herb is sometimes linked to uterine contractions in animal studies. Human data is lacking, so most OB/GYNs advise erring on the side of caution.
- Licorice root: Some research suggests high doses may affect fetal development. It’s often on the “avoid” list for expecting moms due to potential effects on the placenta.
- Green tea extract: Concentrated green tea can contain high levels of caffeine and compounds that may interfere with folic acid absorption. Even small amounts add up in a daily powder.
- Ginseng: Reported to have estrogenic effects that aren’t well studied in pregnancy. Most healthcare providers recommend steering clear.
- Probiotics: While generally safe, the specific strains in Bloom haven’t been tested in pregnant populations, so their effects are unknown. Stick with food-based probiotics if possible.
The takeaway isn’t that every herb is dangerous—many are harmless. But without research on the specific blend in Bloom, the safest move is to skip it and opt for a prenatal vitamin and whole foods instead.
What the Herbal Blend Means for Pregnancy Safety
Because Bloom Greens is a dietary supplement, it isn’t regulated as strictly as food or medication. That’s why experts like those at Mayo Clinic Press recommend you talk with your healthcare team before using it.
The following table breaks down some of the herbal ingredients in Bloom that may be concerning during pregnancy.
| Ingredient | Found in Bloom? | Pregnancy Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Ashwagandha | Yes | May stimulate uterine contractions; limited safety data |
| Licorice root | Yes (likely) | High doses linked to preterm labor in some studies |
| Green tea extract | Yes | Concentrated caffeine; may reduce folic acid absorption |
| Ginseng | Yes | Estrogenic effects; not recommended in pregnancy |
| Astragalus | Yes | Safety unknown; often avoided during pregnancy |
Each of these herbs is present at unknown amounts in the proprietary blend, making it impossible to gauge real exposure. For comparison, pregnancy-safe greens powders typically use only whole-food ingredients like spinach, kale, and wheatgrass without herbal extras. When combined with the lack of pregnancy-specific trials, the cautious recommendation is to avoid this product altogether.
Safer Steps If You Crave a Greens Drink
If you’re craving the convenience of a greens drink but want to stay safe, here are steps to consider.
- Check with your OB/GYN first. They can review your medical history and current prenatal vitamin to see if a greens powder offers anything you’re missing.
- Read the ingredient label carefully. Scan for any herbs, adaptogens, or stimulants; avoid blends with green tea extract, ashwagandha, ginseng, or licorice.
- Look for a pregnancy-specific formula. Some brands, like Perelel, are OB/GYN-formulated and third-party tested, though you should still run them by your doctor.
- Don’t skip your prenatal vitamin. A greens powder can’t replace the folic acid, iron, and calcium you need—those are best obtained from a prenatal multivitamin and whole foods.
The most important point is that no green powder has been proven necessary during pregnancy. Also note that raw sprouts, sometimes found in green mixes, are generally recommended to be avoided during pregnancy. Whole dark leafy greens—when you can stomach them—are a better choice.
How to Get Key Nutrients Without the Risk
Pregnancy increases your need for several vitamins and minerals. According to Mayo Clinic, nutrients like folic acid, iron, and calcium become especially important. You can discuss your intake with your healthcare professional via the pregnancy nutrition guide.
The table below shows why these nutrients matter and where to find them in food.
| Nutrient | Role in Pregnancy | Food Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Folic acid | Helps prevent neural tube defects | Dark green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals |
| Iron | Supports increased blood volume and prevents anemia | Lean red meat, spinach, beans |
| Calcium | Builds baby’s bones and teeth | Dairy, fortified plant milks, kale |
A standard prenatal multivitamin covers these bases, so adding a greens powder may not offer any extra benefit. In fact, the CDC recommends 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid daily even before you conceive. Whole foods are still the most reliable source, and they come without the herbal unknowns. Your body absorbs iron from food more efficiently than from most powders, and the fiber in whole vegetables helps with pregnancy constipation.
The Bottom Line
Bloom Greens is a popular convenience, but it’s not designed or tested for pregnancy. Its blend of herbal ingredients like ashwagandha and green tea extract raises enough concerns that most experts advise skipping it. To cover your nutrient needs, stick with a prenatal vitamin recommended by your healthcare provider and focus on whole, dark green vegetables when you can.
Your OB/GYN can help you decide if any greens powder fits your specific situation, especially if morning sickness makes eating greens difficult. Always check with them before adding any supplement to your pregnancy routine.
References & Sources
- Mayo Clinic Press. “Do I Get to Skip the Spinach Exploring Powdered Greens” If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your healthcare team before taking powdered greens, as research on their safety is limited.
- Mayo Clinic. “Pregnancy Nutrition” If you’re thinking about taking an herbal supplement during pregnancy, talk with your healthcare professional first.