I recommend a multi-vitamin mineral supplement for anyone on a low-calorie meal plan. If you are trying to lose weight, chances are you are lowering your calorie level and it may be difficult to get all the vitamins and minerals that you need. Here are a few key things to look for in a supplement:
1. No more than 100% of the DV for any ingredient. It should be used as a supplement. You will still be eating food so don’t go crazy. More is not always better and some nutrients (fat soluble vitamins like A,D,E and K) can build to toxic levels easily or have adverse effects if taken in large doses.
2. Be sure you can pronounce what is in the supplement. Just look for a straightforward multivitamin/mineral supplement.
3. Look for a USP symbol on the package. Because supplements are not regulated by any governing body, manufacturers don’t have to prove that what they claim is in the supplement is actually in it or that what is in it will be absorbed. When the USP symbol is present, that company has volunteered for an outside lab to come in and test their product to ensure that they are being truthful with their claims. Below is what the symbol looks like.
4. Finally, it isn’t a bad idea to look for a well-known brand. But don’t do so at the expense of the USP symbol.
Questions?
Emily Fonnesbeck RD,CD