Sales of health supplements have been steadily on the rise. This is because many people think that by taking these supplements they can get all the necessary nutrients and vitamins that come from real foods. Little do they know that these supplements are no direct replacement for the nutrients and vitamins they get from their daily meals.

Our bodies are made to process natural vitamins and minerals more efficiently. Whereas supplements are difficult to be broken down by our bodies system to be processed. Moreover many of such supplements do not taste as good as the food we eat everyday. These supplements use fillers and binders together with a coating to hold the substances together which leaves a very unpleasant after taste in your mouth. In fact the fillers, binders and coatings have no nutrition value.

Some people experience stomach discomfort after consuming certain vitamin pills. Other may experience skin allergies because of the reaction of the body to the addition binding agent in the pill. Whereas consuming a good variety of natural fruits and vegetables enhance the flavor of a nutritious meal and fiber helps in the digestive system. It also supplies the required amount of minerals and vitamins your body needs for the day.

Minerals like iron can be found in leafy green vegetables, beans, shellfish, red meat, poultry, soy foods, and some fortified foods. It’s needed to transport oxygen to all parts of the body via the red blood cells.

Potassium can be found in foods like Broccoli, potatoes (with the skins on), prune juice, orange juice, leafy green vegetables, bananas, raisins, and tomatoes. It aids in nervous system and muscle function and also helps maintain a healthy balance of water in the blood and body tissues.

Niacin, also known as B3, can be found in lean chicken, tuna, salmon, turkey, enriched flour, peanuts, and fortified cereals. It aids in digestion and also plays a key role in converting food into energy. These are just some of the vitamins and minerals that you can find in your everyday meal. Hence there is no necessity to go for the supplements unless you are seriously deprived of such nutrients in your diet.

If you’re looking to lose weight, changing your eating habit to a fresh food, less oil and sugar diet is vital to a weight loss plan. Also, eating fresh fruits and vegetables help hair, skin and teeth stay attractive and healthy. And when you think about it, fruits and vegetables are the original ‘to go’ food. It’s simple to grab for an orange, apple, banana, grapes, or quickly toss a few vegetables together for a salad to take to work.

So when you’re looking for well-balanced, healthy, reliable nutrition, don’t reach for the bottle. Reach for the fresh food.