Plentiful Plates, Not Pills

For most people, incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into their daily diet will provide an array of important nutrients – no multivitamin required.

More than one-third of Americans take multivitamins, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, multivitamins do not provide the same health benefits as consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables. Your body may not fully absorb them, and foods contain other nutrients, such as fiber, that you cannot get from a multivitamin.

People who have nutrient deficiencies or those who follow strict diets may need to take a supplement, but most adults can get the required nutrients by eating lots of fruits and vegetables. A greater variety means more vitamins and minerals.

How to eat the rainbow

To help yourself get the nutrients you need, keep your plate colorful. The following tips can help:

• Add fruit to your morning oatmeal and daily snacks.
• Roast extra vegetables and toss them onto salads or rehear them as sides throughout the week.
• Sip on a smoothie. Combine low-fat milk, fresh or frozen fruit, and vegetables such as spinach, kale or carrots.

For more healthy recipes, visit the Live Better recipe page at archbold.org/livebetter.