Vitamin-less

Over the past few months, vitamins have been a hot topic in the news. In particular, vitamin testing has been under intense scrutiny, as several supplement companies are currently selling products that contain amounts of specific nutrients that are not accurately reflected on the labels. For example, Trader Joe’s Vitamin Crusade has been shown to contain just 59% of the amount of vitamin A stated on the label. Conversely, Centrum Chewables contained 173% of the amount of vitamin A listed on the label.

(For more information about recent vitamin testing, see Many multivitamins don’t have nutrients claimed in label)

Although I clearly place much emphasis on getting as many nutrients as possible in my daily life, I do not take a multivitamin. The only supplement I take is the occasional Adora calcium + vitamin D disc. The way I see it, my diet is already pretty balanced and abundant in vitamins; I would much rather spend my money on buying fresh fruits and vegetables rather than on synthetic supplements.

However, I am not against supplement use entirely—for many people they are vital to attaining optimum nutrition. Vegans often rely on them for their vitamin B-12; veggie-haters need multivitamins. Vitamins and supplements play an important role in the practice of nutrition, but I personally don’t feel the need to use them.

Do you take any vitamins or supplements? Why or why not? Which nutrients do you consider most important?

Here’s how I got my vitamins today:

My monster jar of almond butter was down to the last little bit, so I seized the opportunity to make a smoothie in a jar.

For lunch, I further celebrated fig season with a tasty salad featuring feta and pecans.

After class, work, and a local dietetics association meeting, I finally came home and made the quickest meal possible: Avocado Egg-less Salad.

OK, off to prepare for another busy day…

Filed under: Meals

10 Responses to “Vitamin-less”

1. Lauren @ What Lauren Likes, on September 13th, 2011 at 9:58 pm Said:

   Horray for figgy season! Love the looks of your eats

2. Matt @ The Athlete's Plate, on September 13th, 2011 at 10:16 pm Said:

   I take a vitamin although I probably don’t need it. Just an insurance policy I guess?

3. Emilia @ Namaste Gurl, on September 13th, 2011 at 10:40 pm Said:

   Truth to be told, I don’t take a multi-vitamin and I’m very grounded with my decision. I don’t eat fish, but I do include eggs and dairy so I get plenty of Vitamin D and some B12 from those sources. I’ve never been low in any nutrients, so that’s how I know my well- balanced diet is doing the trick I’m totally against taking a supplement unless you health depends on it and you’re not getting it through your diet.

4. Max@flavortogofast, on September 13th, 2011 at 11:19 pm Said:

   fish oil is essential, but I also take glucosamine chondroitin (helps with my knee tendonitis), calcium and magnesium (helps with muscle tightness at night). its all about figuring out what actually makes a difference!

5. Rachel, on September 13th, 2011 at 11:57 pm Said:

   I take Calcium & vitamin D just because of a medication I’m on. Otherwise, I agree with you… Better to get all that good stuff from good foods!

6. Marianne, on September 14th, 2011 at 12:52 am Said:

   The only vitamin supplement I take is Vitamin D. Everyone living in Canada should be supplementing with Vitamin D as far as I’m concerned, even if you *think* you are getting enough from your food – so much research shows that amounts more than the current RDA may be beneficial. Plus, if you live north of the 39th parallel (as all of us Canucks do), you will not be able to make sufficient Vitamin D from about October through April, as the suns rays are at such an angle that they are not strong enough to trigger the reaction in our skin. Couple that with the fact most people cover up or wear sunscreen, and it really is an important vitamin to consider regardless of what you eat.

7. Alile@LiveLaughEat, on September 14th, 2011 at 8:05 am Said:

   I take gummy vitamins (multi) and calcium chews. I eat them more because they taste like candy than because they’re good for me. I NEVER forget to take them

8. Michelle Hunt, on September 14th, 2011 at 8:56 am Said:

   I’m totally addicted to figs, they are just so darn expensive here (in Ireland!) I’d have them for breakfast lunch and dinner if I could!

9. Stefanie, on September 14th, 2011 at 2:56 pm Said:

   I take and iron supplement that includes folate and B-12. Since I was anemic, I try to take it at least every other day. It is a pain to take but it does help me with energy. Other wise, I try to get most of my vitamins,minerals from food.

10. Cucina49, on September 14th, 2011 at 4:05 pm Said:

    I wish we got better figs up here–that salad would be the perfect way to use them.

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