Benefits of multivitamins

Chances are that you are unsure whether you need additional nutrients in the form of a multivitamin.  Read on, as this article will help you decide.

Given the controversy in the media which alternates between condemning supplementation as expensive lavatory visits, to then being essential for life, choosing the right multivitamin and mineral formula can be confusing.  

 

However, one thing we can be certain of is that it takes a well-planned and prepared weekly home menu of meals to ensure adequate amounts of nutrients are provided.  

This can be difficult for many, especially when juggling life, careers, and family.  And if the same meals are eaten weekly then supplementation may aid the journey to optimal health and nutrition.

Careful weekly planning and preparation is required to ensure we consume adequate amounts of different nutrients

Quiz: Do I need a multi?

If you answer yes to 3 or more of the following questions, then you may wish to consider a multivitamin to support your dietary intake.

1. Do you eat highly processed, ready-made food (e.g pre-prepared soup, pasta sauce or ready meal) or take out for 3 or more meals each week?
2. Do you eat 3 or more servings of crisps, chocolate, sweets, biscuits, or cake per week?
3. Can you count on one hand the number of different vegetables that you eat on a weekly basis?
4. Do you eat less than 3 servings of oily fish or algae each week?
5. Does your diet contain less than 80% of single ingredient foods?  For example, an apple, a pear, a portion of peas, a fish fillet.
6. Does your diet involve omitting food groups?  For example, vegan, vegetarian, keto, Atkins.

Count the number of questions that you answered Yes to. If you answered Yes to more than 3, you may wish to consider a multivitamin and mineral formulation.

Some of the benefits of using a multivitamin and mineral formulation    Speak to your local independent health food store to get advice on what might be best for you. Find your local one on our store locator

Ideally you want to eat a varied and colourful diet to be healthy. Click here to find out more about why diet matters

 

The next steps are to implement some gentle exercise and stress management in addition to a varied diet. Small changes are key, and it may be helpful to introduce a multivitamin and mineral formulation to support the changes you are making to create and adapt your lifestyle.

Author: Jenny Carson is a Nutritional Practitioner and Technical Services Manager at Viridian Nutrition. She holds a BSc honours degree in Nutritional Science and is a Master of Research (MRes) in Public Health.

 

Others in this series:	Why Diet Matters	/	Immune Supporting Nutrition
	The importance of self-care	/	Vitamins Explained

The information contained in this article is not intended to treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a health practitioner. Please consult a qualified health practitioner if you have a pre-existing health condition or are currently taking medication. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet.

 

 

 

TAGS: Multivitamins,  Vitamins, Diet, LoveNHSLoveYourself