Supplements and Vitamins on a Plant-Based Diet
I started my plant-based journey 8 years ago and some of the most frequently asked questions are around nutrients and supplements. On a plant-based diet, you’ll receive a ton of nutrients from the foods you eat throughout the day and supplements are not always necessary, but I personally take vitamins because of my lifestyle. I prioritize my health and my wellness on most days but I’m human and work in a high-stress environment which affects my body and energy. If you live a similar lifestyle I suggest incorporating supplements and vitamins into your daily wellness regimen!
I’ve incorporated vitamins into my wellness routine, and they have been extremely effective in helping me maintain a healthy lifestyle while juggling a ton of responsibilities. I’m going to give you a rundown of the vitamins I take and share the two places where I purchase my vitamins/supplements.
What I take -
On a daily basis, I take around 5-7 supplements depending on the day, if I worked out or if I’ve been sleeping less than 7 hrs a night.
Vitamin C - An antioxidant that helps with improving your immune system which can be influenced by your stress and sleep habits. Vitamin C can be found in a ton of fruits and veggies such as oranges or tomatoes.
Astaxanthin - An antioxidant that has the ability to improve your cognitive health (memory/brain function). This supplement can also help with maintaining the health of your skin.
Veggie Omega-3 - Omega 3 is a common supplement that helps with providing fatty acids into your diet. If you live a plant-based lifestyle I suggest taking this supplement. It has the ability to help with your vision, heart, and cognitive function.
Magnesium - A supplement that is really good for bone and joint health. Magnesium can be found in dark leafy greens, nuts, and beans. Even though I consume a lot of beans and leafy green, some days I don’t eat as many as I should, so I take a supplement to offset my rare ‘eat through lunch’ days at work. Magnesium also is good for people who have erratic sleeping patterns.
Rhodiola - A supplement that helps support your overall mood, energy, and cognitive function. I take a daily Rhodiola supplement to also help with my anxiety.
Oil of Oregano - A supplement to help with antioxidant support and overall well-being.
American Ginseng - A supplement to supports focus, memory, and mental energy.
Collagen - A supplement that revitalizes skin, hair, and nails, and supports tendons & ligaments.
*Probiotic - I take a probiotic once or twice a day before my meals to help with my digestive system. My digestive system is really affected by my stress/anxiety, so to offset some of the issues I have with digestion and bloating I use a probiotic. Kombucha works too but I personally prefer the pill form.
*B12 - A vitamin that helps with the functioning of the overall body. If you’re plant-based I strongly suggest taking a B12 supplement, it is something that isn't found in most plant-based meals. It helps with mood, cognitive functioning, and energy.
Where I stock up -
I use two places to get my vitamins iHerb and Care/of!
iHerb is an online wellness site that has a ton of supplements, oils, and vitamins. I get my protein powder, protein bars, and probiotics from iHerb. If you’re interested in using iHerb click here for 5% off your first order.
Care/of is a monthly vitamin/supplements subscription that sends individualized packages of vitamins based on your lifestyle and wellness needs. I’ve been using Care/of for about 6 months now and have really grown to enjoy the subscription and the effects of the supplements. If you’re interested in using Care/of click here or use the code coawwq8 at checkout for 50% your first order.
I hope this post was helpful for people who are considering adding vitamins and supplements to their wellness routine. At the end of the day, supplements don't compensate for a well-rounded diet but for those of us who live pretty hectic lifestyles, they're a great addition to a wellness routine!
With love, Breanna
