So you don’t need a daily Vitamin? So that means you always have 6 to 8 servings of grains, 4 to 5 servings of vegetables, 4 to 5 servings of fruit, 2 to 3 servings of low fat dairy, and 6oz of meat, poultry or fish PER DAY? Really? And that just meets the very minimum standards for nutrition.
So you may want to rethink your option to take a multivitamin at the very minimum to supplement those missing servings. When shopping for a multivitamin look for whole food vitamins preferable organic for the best value and quality.
In the next blog we will look at those serving size and do some nutritional math that may surprise you.
Well the seasonal Flu finally caught up to me. Even though I have an immune system like a Rhino still somehow I managed to let one of those little viruses’ get past me. A few of my friends also contracted the Flu this year and all where complaining of persistent symptoms for several weeks. Unlike my friends I only experienced symptom for about 5 day and then I was back the game of life full throttle. When asked what my secret was I reminded them it was no secret I just kept up with my daily Multi Vitamins and added an extra Super Green Food to my daily supplement program.
Most of us when we get a cold or flu struggle with lose of appetite which can cause an additional drop in immune efficiency. Enter the super hero “Super Green Food” that provides an extra boost and is not very filling when only mixed with water and perhaps adding a banana for extra potassium. If this is still too much for a diminished appetite Super Green Food is also available in tablets.
So make sure to have plenty of Super Green Food on hand, drink plenty of clean water and of course some of mom’s homemade chicken soup is always a great comforting addition.
Choosing the right vitamin can be a little challenging with the hundreds of brands and formulas available. A good place to start for a general nutritional boost is a Multi-Vitamin. We always recommend a whole food vitamin with an organic formula whenever possible for the best quality. The next step is to consider your personal life style and age to start to customize your choice.
Many of the formulas will give you a good idea by the label such as Multi + Stress Formula or 50 + Formula for older adults. Once you have narrowed your Multi-Vitamin choice closer to your personal needs you may consider adding additional supplements such as a b-12 complex for high stress situations. A protein shake is another great option for those times you can’t stop for lunch and want to avoid the fast food temptation.
Don’t be afraid to try different brands or formulas especially if you’re new to supplementing your diet with vitamins. Not everyone wears the same shoe size and not everyone’s body chemistry and needs are exactly the same so trying different formulas can get you closer to a more customized program. If you are still puzzled or overwhelmed, going on line or having a consultation with a nutritionist for more education on what vitamins best fits your needs is a great option.
In a response to our recent post “The Omega Man” one of readers was concerned about getting omega 3 form fish derived supplements and it is a very valid concern. The concern was in respect to the pollution of heavy metals in our oceans. It is great to increase our awareness in general on how each of us can impact our environment with what we do and do not do in our daily lives that affect our food sources from the oceans.
With respect to Omega 3 supplements most but not all fish oil supplement companies purify their products to reduce or remove contaminants minimizing our exposure to mercury and dioxins . The higher quality producers will disclose this on the label, and we recommend that unless it is disclosed on the label that you choose another Omega 3 brand.
Another great choice especially for vegetarians or vegans is Flax seed oil, linseed oil, olive oil and vegetable oils. Although not as concentrated they are still a great source for omega 3. No matter which source you choose always remember that adequate daily intake of Omega 3 fatty acids is essential for good health.
You’ve probably heard tales – both true and exaggerated – detailing the finicky eating habits of pregnant women. There’s something about pregnancy that makes previously unheard of flavor combinations palatable. For instance, few people would pair and ice cream cone with a side of crunchy pickles. A pregnant woman might not even blink at such an offering.
By the same token, certain foods are much less desirable during pregnancy. It becomes difficult in some cases for women to maintain a healthy, nutritious diet. In order to supplement that diet and provide the vitamins and minerals essential to mother and baby, prenatal vitamins can make all the difference. They should be administered before, during and shortly after pregnancy.