Getting Your Nutrition from Real Food is a Good Habit for Life

Many people think popping a multi-vitamin supplement to get their nutrition is just as
good as what comes from real foods.  It is far better to get vitamins
and minerals from natural foods and juices. Our bodies utilize the vitamins and minerals
from real foods more efficiently. And most people find it much easier to select a variety
of whole foods they enjoy eating instead of trying to make heads or tails of the entire
selection of vitamin and mineral supplements that are available. And any of us who’ve
swallowed a multi-vitamin or a mineral supplement can say without a doubt that the taste
leaves a lot to be desired.

Supplements are also difficult for our bodies to break down and use, making it difficult to
get the full nutrition  from the vitamins and minerals they contain. Conversely, by
consuming plenty of nutrient-dense food to get the equivalent means the nutrients are
going to be easier for the body to process and utilize, and less likely to be wasted. We are
also processing nutrients throughout the course of the day when we obtain them from
food, instead of just getting them from the ‘one a day’ approach.

Many of the supplements available today use fillers and binders to hold them together,
plus coatings on the tablets themselves. These are products the body does not need and
will not use. Some people find they are allergic to the dyes and fillers used in vitamin
pills. However, the body uses the fiber that binds fruits and vegetables. Often the “skin”
of a vegetable, like the potato, is the most nutritious part. In addition, sometimes the
vitamin and mineral supplements can upset our stomachs, making taking them even more
difficult the next day. In many cases, combining supplements can counteract their
effectiveness and can produce stomach upset when dealing with the taste and smell of
some supplements. On the other hand, a variety of fruits and vegetables enhance the
flavor of a nutritious meal and their fiber aids digestion.

If you’re looking to lose weight, eating fresh food is vital to a weight loss plan. Also,
eating fresh fruits and vegetables help hair, skin and teeth stay attractive and healthy. And
when you think about it, fruits and vegetables are the original ‘to go’ food. It’s simple to
grab for an orange, apple, banana, grapes, or quickly toss a few vegetables together for a
salad to take to work.

So when you’re looking for well-balanced, healthy, reliable nutrition, don’t reach for the
bottle. Reach for the food!

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL –

http://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/getting-your-vitamins-and-minerals-through-diet.