I know what I’m about to say is controversial.  But it’s the truth, and it’s a topic that bears discussion.

When I was pregnant, I didn’t take prenatal vitamins.  Every month when I went in for check-ups, the nurse yelled at me.  But let me clarify.  I didn’t take the standard, fully loaded prenatal vitamin.  But I did take a pill form of those nutrients I didn’t get enough of from food that are so important during pregnancy – folic acid, calcium, iron.

As a pregnant dietitian, I felt like I was eating a good variety of the right foods so didn’t need to take a fully loaded pill.  Today, I take omega-3 supplements and sporadically, lutein supplements.  I do not give my son Jack vitamins at all.  But some of my colleagues will contend that it’s not possible to get all the nutrients we need at the right levels by eating food.  There we have it – the great debate on supplements or no supplements.

In my mind, it’s worth the old college try to get all that you need from food.  Why?  Because food has many as-of-yet undefined nutrients that our bodies need.  I think, too, that some of us take a daily vitamin as a license to make less healthy food choices, figuring we’re getting what we need in the pill form.

I’m not suggesting that pregnant women avoid taking prenatal vitamins (always follow your doctor’s advice!).  I’m just saying that the goal should be getting all the nutrients we need by eating a variety of foods from all food groups.

Voice your opinion – for or against supplements?

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