Supplements and Vitamins are not Food

This is also posted with other food posts at Food Renegade. 

"The supreme end of education is expert discernment in all things - the power to tell the good from the bad, the genunie from the counterfeit, and to prefer the good and the genuine to the bad and the counterfeit."

We're not foodies at MindfulEats, but we enjoy a delicious meal. However, when we think back to memorable meals, it's the company and the conversation we remember, not the actual drink and food details. And when we're not with loved ones, food can be a hassle, especially when we're on the run (always). Then a meal in a pill would be a perfect answer.

Sadly, the Jetson meal doesn't exist. Supplements don't work. You need to eat whole foods for health. Real food contains multiple nutrients, antioxidants, phytochemicals, enzymes and stuff that work together to make sure your body is actually absorbing the nutrients in a usable fashion. Supplements are freestanding chemicals that your body doesn't absorb as well - however, it exits as very nutritious urine. Supplements are not food, and cannot be used by your body as food. Your body will absorb some of it, but all the other items that ensure effective absorption are missing. And supplements are extreme - you are taking 500mg of Vitamin C, which means you are megadosing (not moderate). Overdosing on a supplement can cause harm. Keep everything in moderation! Our drinking water is beginning to show traces of pharmaceuticals since people are taking more medication and it is exiting in urine. Vitamins and supplements end up in the same place. Please don't add to the problem.

Supplements are useful if you are treating a condition. We megadose oncoming colds with Vitamin C. Some people treat malnutrition, cancers, and failing organs with megadoses. If you simply cannot get a nutrient for some reason, then you should turn to supplements. For example, if you have darker skin and live in a low-light climate, you may need to supplement Vitamin D.

If you are relatively healthy, you can/are already getting most of your nutrients from food (especially if you are mindful). Vitamins do little more more than enrich your urine. This NYT Well post reviews studies that find vitamins fail to prevent longer life or cancer.

What to do - Eat Whole Foods

1. Eat your "colors". Eat vegetables and fruits from all colors of the rainbow - tomatoes, bananas, squash, blueberries, eggplant, potatoes. Focus on a wide variety to get the widest range of nutrients.
2. Educate yourself on what is in food. The best food (fresh produce) doesn't come with food labels, so look them up so you are aware of what nutrients are in them.
3. Read your food labels to understand the nutritional value.
4. Keep a food log (Download Mindful Log). Check to see if you are getting enough variety.
5. Studies show you don't need a vitamin if you are eating well. However, we admit to taking an ocassional multivitamin as insurance (not even every day).

Want more info? This article from the Mayo Clinic is informative.

What I ate: 14 oz. green juice, 8 oz. kefir, 1, cafe au lait, 1/2 chocolate croissant, 1 madeline, cheese, spinach+ roasted brussel sprouts + roasted beets + quinoa salad, 1 apple, 2 hot chocolates, 1 kiwi, 1 oz. macadamia nuts, 1 handful Mindful Mix, Korean dried squid, (decadent dinner - Happy Birthday James!) 4 pieces hamachi, lobster in butter sauce, 1 sourdough roll + butter, chocolate sorbet, 1 handful potato chips, 1 handful cheese crackers

Exercise: none