Your daily food intake matters greatly as it nourishes your body and provides sufficient energy. However, not all days will be equal in terms of diet. Sometimes, you won’t have time to prepare an elaborate meal, or maybe you’ll want to indulge in some fast food once in a while. However, regardless of your daily food intake, you should strive to enhance it with a healthy dose of vitamins. Therefore, here are some tips that will help you include more vitamins in your daily diet.
First, you try it through food
Before you enhance your daily food intake with something extra, try eating foods that contain vitamins your body needs. A balanced and diverse diet can do wonders for your well-being, especially if you consume fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. There are different food groups, and eating a nutrient-rich diet can help you consume everything in the right quantities. If your diet relies on sodium, bad fat, processed sugars, and starch then you should diversify it with adequate vitamins. Chicken, fish, avocados, eggs, Greek yogurt, milk, and whole-grain foods are excellent sources of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Make sure to learn about the right vitamin combos
Not all vitamins interact well together, which is why it’s essential to pay attention to the right combos. Some minerals are synergistic, which means they increase each other’s absorption, so they cannot be taken together. Iron and vitamin C, vitamin E and A, zinc and vitamin A, magnesium and potassium, etc. Make sure to do your own research before you stock your medicine cabinet with various vitamins and supplements. If you’re suffering from chronic illnesses, then be sure to consult your doctor, so you can get permission to take different vitamins and boost your healing journey even more. If you’re taking prescribed medications then it’s important to ensure that vitamins and supplements will work well with them.
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Don’t forget about the dosage
Your doctor can also help you with the right dosage. Generally, it is advisable to start with the lowest dose possible and then gradually increase it with time. The average daily intake should match one’s dietary and nutritional needs. Mega doses of some vitamins can actually be harmful, such as excessive amounts of vitamin D that might lead to higher calcium levels in the blood. The best way to determine whether the dosage (and the product itself) will work for you is to take those that are formulated for your age and your needs. For example, vitamins for seniors tend to contain more vitamin D and calcium. Supplements and vitamins aimed at women tend to have more iron to make up for the loss that happens during the monthly menstrual cycle.
Vitamins aren’t the substitution for nutrition
This is crucial to remember because many people confuse vitamins with actual nutrition. Eating a rich and diverse diet is the number one step toward a healthy body and mind, so we make sure to eat properly first and foremost. There are many healthy vitamins and supplement products that can seriously improve your gut health, moderate your weight, and support muscle strength. However, keep in mind that you need to eat a healthy array of foods and dishes in order to continue to be healthy. Vitamins and supplements are crucial to your diet, but they cannot ever replace actual food rich in proteins and other important nutrients.
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Consider including prebiotics and probiotics too
Digestive enzymes, as well as prebiotics and probiotics, can be extremely helpful when it comes to nutrient absorption. Keeping your digestive system healthy and functioning should be your priority, especially if you have issues with certain foods, or you travel often. A human gut gets more sensitive with age, so it’s important to keep it healthy. Also consuming prebiotic-rich foods such as bananas, apples, yogurt, and onions can significantly contribute to gut health.
Never underestimate the expiry date
The expiration date is important, both when it comes to foods and supplements. Most vitamins and supplements have a time frame in which they’re actually effective. The expiry date differs from product to product, because each manufacturer has different standards. This is crucial to remember because consuming expired vitamins may lead to reduced effectiveness because supplements and vitamins tend to degrade with time. So in order to prolong and keep them effective, it’s important to store them properly, according to the instructions on the label.
Final thoughts
Daily food intake is crucial as it helps you remain healthy, energized, and strong. But, taking vitamins and supplements can improve your health, mainly if you lack some of those vitamins due to your lifestyle or health problems. As long as you consult your doctor, monitor your health, and, of course, pay attention to what you consume, you’ll feel fit and healthy at all times.
About the author: Stella Van Lane is a passionate traveler and writer, in love with coffee, food & wine, interior design, books, and good vibes.
