Why whole foods should come before supplements.

By Jessica Mitton

With so many supplements on the market these days, you could be forgiven for thinking that we can all stay healthy just by taking a cocktail of capsules and not worry so much about eating whole foods. But this isn’t the case. Supplements have that name for a reason; they are intended to ‘supplement’ our diets at those times when our bodies need that extra boost or support. If you are suffering with sickness or a health condition and need a little help to bring your body back into balance, then a supplement may be just the ticket. Supplements are a great way to support and complement good eating habits, but they are not there to replace whole foods.  If you are eating a poor diet and taking a multivitamin, hoping it will keep you healthy, then think again! There are many benefits to be gained from eating a whole food diet that can only come from eating real, whole foods.

What are ‘whole foods’? Well, they are exactly that: foods that are whole. They are the colourful vegetables and fruits that line the shelves of the produce section of your local grocery store, or at your farmers’ market. They are the foods that don’t have an ingredient list (and certainly not one as long as your arm). However, they are not just vegetables and fruits. They include nuts, seeds, legumes, beans—even humanely raised meat like, poultry, pork and fish—minus added hormones and antibiotics. Put simply, whole foods are the real foods provided to us by nature, without all the additives, preservatives and fillers that are present in so many processed, packaged foods. Here are a few benefits to be gained from eating whole foods that you simply won’t get from that supplement tablet or capsule:

Fibre
When you eat whole foods, you access all the wonderful nutrients contained within that food, including fibre. If you are relying on supplements, you won’t get the natural fibre found in food. Fibre is crucial for our bodies to stay healthy. It helps keep things moving through our digestive system, making our bowel movements regular; it helps stabilize blood sugar; and it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and weight gain.

Variety and a balanced diet
Enjoying a varied, whole food diet will give you that ideal balance of the nutrition your body needs to operate optimally. When you eat a diet rich in a variety of whole foods, you are nourishing your body with all the necessary nutrients including protein, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Take an apple for example. Just a single apple is full of fibre, vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Every fruit, vegetable, nut, bean and succulent piece of poultry has its own plentiful nutritional profile, nourishing your body with a number of nutrients. This kind of variety just can’t be supplied by supplements.

Working together
It’s true—vitamins and minerals team up in our bodies to make sure we can be at our best. If you are taking a single vitamin or mineral supplement, you may need another one, two or three to help that vitamin or mineral be properly absorbed or utilized by the body. Take the mineral calcium for example; calcium works with magnesium for many of the functions it performs in the body, especially with regards to the muscles. Vitamin D is also important for calcium absorption. This is just one example of how the body doesn’t rely on one single nutrient at a time; it needs variety. Eating a whole food, balanced diet will ensure you get the best mix of nutrients working together to help you feel great.

When to use supplements
While eating a whole food diet is the best way to supply our bodies with the nutrients they need, we sometimes may need a little boost to get things back into balance. This is where supplements shine! Some examples of when you may need ‘supplemental’ support include:

• sickness (cold, flu or nausea)
  Health conditions (arthritis, IBS, diabetes or anxiety)
• Age (as we age, the body’s ability to perform certain functions or utilize certain nutrients may diminish)
• After taking medications (our bodies may become depleted of certain nutrients after taking medications)
• Lifestyle factors (special diets or exercise)
• Nutrient deficiencies

When picking out supplements, always be sure you are getting a good quality product, as cheaper brands can contain fillers and additives, or be derived from unhealthy sources. It’s best you reach out to your local health food store to make sure you’re getting the best quality supplement to suit your needs.

More Inspiration: You might also enjoy this article about sleep supplements and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder.)

Author: Jessica Mitton is a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) and is a practicing Holistic Nutritional Consultant located on the east coast of Canada in St. John’s, Newfoundland.  Jessica believes in a holistic approach, taking into consideration the body, mind and spirit. She is fascinated by the healing potential of natural, whole food and how it can be used to help individuals improve their overall health and quality of life. Jessica has been featured in the Academy of Culinary Nutrition’s 2016 and 2017 From Scratch cookbooks, is a former recipe contributor for Co-op Atlantic and has been featured in Old Crow and Co-op Dish magazines, as well as Exploring Mind and Body radio.