Natural Foods vs Supplements: Which One Should You Choose?

                    Natural Foods vs Supplements:                                 Which One Should You Choose?

Hello friends!

• Hi hope you are fine. Today, I would like to discuss something that each one of us has asked ourselves at least once in our lives, do we need to rely on natural foods to provide us with nutrition, or are supplements also necessary? This is one of the questions I have posed to myself a couple of times, particularly on those hectic weeks when I found home-cooked meals to be a luxury.
• That Information floating around can be confusing. There are those who believe in “eating local, eating natural, it’s good enough” and those who take a daily dose of multivitamin tablets and protein powders. Then what is the correct way?
• In simple, easy-to-understand words, let us have a look at this.

🌿 What Are Natural foods?

• The unprocessed foods are those which grow naturally i.e. the fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, nuts and seeds, dairy, eggs, meat and fish. They also contain vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants that keep us in our overall well being.

Examples:

• Anna and pomegranate are fresh fruits
•  vegetables like spinach, carrot and drumstick
• Paneer, curd and milk.
• These foods provide a number of nutrients without using any chemical additives or preservatives. And they are easier to absorb and digest by our body.

A short autobiographical remark:

• I am able to recollect the saying of my grandmother, “Eat seasonal, eat fresh.” She used very few medicines and even at the age of 80, I was amazed at her memory and strength. It is the miracle of natural foods!

💊 What Are Supplements?

• Supplements are the products (in forms of tablets, capsules, powders or syrups) which are aimed to possess the nutrients that you might be lacking in your daily food. They can be vitamins, minerals, proteins, omega-3 or even herbal extracts.

Examples:

• calcium and vitamin D3 pills
• The reasons, which make people take them:
• To improve the immune system, vitality or muscle power
• To address some of the gaps like Vitamin B12 or Iron
• Hair, skin, and well-being

Sup Supplements versus Natural Foods: 

• The Simple Comparison
• Well, we can view the two in comparison and then it would be simpler to decide.
• Point Natural Foods Supplements
• Nutrient Absorption Easier absorption by the body Type & form dependent
• Additional benefits Fibre, antioxidants, enzymes In many cases, only particular nutrients
• Side Effects Allergic Possible, in excess
• Cost Intermediate and common Occasionally severe

Question: When Natural Foods Enough?

And eat a balanced, home-cooked diet every day: lots of different fruits and vegetables, whole grains, pulses, dairy, and nuts - and you may not need supplements at all.

Symptoms which you are not getting enough:

• nice energy throughout the day
• shiney hair and nice skin
• rarely falls sick
•  Proper sleeping.
• And when that is you then give yourself a high five! Make a habit of this good habit.

💊 And When Do You Really Need Supplements?

• Life does not always allow us to eat very well even when we do our best.
• You skip meals frequently due to business or travelling to work
• You are vegetarian/ vegan and you are missing out on certain nutrients like Vitamin B12, Omega- 3, or Iron
• You caught infections or you have low immunity
• you feel tired, lost hair or hurt bones or joints
• A doctor has diagnosed you with a deficiency

My life experience:

• The lockdown made me spend months without much sunlight in my house. A quick test showed that my Vitamin D levels were lowered. It is here that my doctor suggested a supplement. It did help and I now balance that with more sun and natural source of foods too.

🌸 Which One Is Then Better To Choose?

• Always start with natural foods.
• They do not only contain nutrients, but they also include fibre, antioxidants, and numerous health benefits. Supplements should never substitute a healthy diet.
• Unless you have a lifestyle that can permit you to eat perfectly, or you have certain health issues then it is okay to consume the supplements but only by the recommendation of your physician.
• Tips:
• Increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables consumed on a daily basis
• Add Indian traditional foods like ragi, bajra, drumstick and curry leaves
• To obtain Vitamin D 20 minutes of sunshine is enough.
• When taking supplements, take the dose that is required
• Always better to take brands that are good and are relied upon

📣 Concluding Remarks

• In conclusion - food then supplements.
• They both are a part of our contemporary living, however, nothing can be more beneficial than naturally cooked food at home with lots of love.
• Do you think this article helped you?
• Then yes, spread the word to your friends and family via WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram -- a friend of yours is perhaps considering the same question today!
• And that will be all, in case you want more of these simple, no-nonsense health tips and nutritional guides, be sure to subscribe to our blog. I will see you soon with more digestible posts to keep you healthy and happy.