Foods Better For Your Health Than A Multivitamin

Who needs a multivitamin when your grocery list can do the heavy lifting? Instead of swallowing a bunch of supplements each day, you might consider just reaching for real food. According to dietitian and NYU professor Dr. Collin Popp, most people who eat a balanced diet don’t actually need a multivitamin, and those pills may be doing less than you think. Not only are many of the nutrients in supplements not absorbed, some can actually build up in your body in unsafe ways.

Whole foods, on the other hand, deliver nutrients your body knows how to use and they come packed with added benefits like fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats. Here are 11 nutrient-rich foods Popp recommends to help you get your daily dose, no pills required:

1. Avocados are full of heart-healthy fats, fiber, and nutrients like B5, folate, copper, and potassium.
2. Salmon is rich in B12, vitamin D, omega-3s, and high-quality protein for brain and heart health.
3. Red bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that support your immune system.
4. Raspberries are a fiber-rich fruit packed with vitamin C and inflammation-fighting antioxidants.
5. Spinach is a leafy green powerhouse high in vitamin K, folate, vitamin A, and iron.
6. Eggs offer a solid dose of biotin, choline, B12, and protein—all in a compact, affordable package.
7. Kiwis are tangy little fruits bursting with vitamin C, vitamin E, and natural antioxidants.
8. Sardines provide calcium, selenium, omega-3s, and other key minerals in a budget-friendly can.
9. Potatoes are surprisingly nutrient-dense with potassium, vitamin C, B6, and fiber, especially if you eat the skin.
10. Pistachios are protein-packed, fiber-filled nuts loaded with copper, manganese, and antioxidants.
11. Asparagus delivers vitamin K, folate, and fiber to support bone health and digestion.

Multivitamins can be helpful for some, especially those with medical needs or restrictive diets, but for most of us, real food is the better option. Whole foods don’t just give you isolated nutrients; they offer a range of health-promoting benefits that supplements can’t match. “You just have to eat a lot of it,” says Popp, and that’s actually the fun part! So next time you’re about to reach for a supplement, maybe just reach for a snack instead.

Source: Today

photo: Getty