The Best Supplements for You and Your Family
I’m a huge advocate for eating as many whole foods as possible. But in addition to a diet of whole foods, you want to know the best supplements for your family.
Between a clean diet and all natural supplements, we can remove many of the health issues that commonly plague our family. What we put into our mouths greatly impacts our body.
Eating a diet rich in only whole foods is hard. And sometimes we just need a little boost. Consuming vitamins and supplements are the perfect way to fill the gap between nutritional deficits in your diet.
Vitamins and supplements aren’t diet pills and shouldn’t be used in place of your family’s bad diet. Supplements work side by side with a healthy lifestyle. That’s exactly why they’re called supplements: because they supplement any key nutrients missing in your diet.
The sad truth is, so many of our foods are now grown in soil that is depleted of nutrients. So it’s a good idea for you and your family to take vitamins + supplements to help boost your nutrient intake.
But where should you start? It can be so overwhelming going to the vitamin + supplement section at a store. Which brands can you trust? What probiotic is the best? You want to be sure you’re giving your family (and yourself) the best supplements. So today I’m breaking everything down for you. I’m sharing with you my top supplement and vitamin brands, why we love it, and the benefit of each vitamin or supplement.
Probiotics
Everything else won’t be listed in any specific order, but if I could choose one vitamin/supplement that your family should incorporate in your daily routine it would be a probiotic.
Probiotics play a significant role in our overall health. Probiotics are the good bacteria in your gut that allows you to absorb nutrients, digest food properly, and fight off diseases. The good bacteria fight off the bad bacteria in your gut as well as limits the growth of yeast.
70 - 80 percent of our immune system is found in our digestive tract. It’s critical for you to maintain gut health if you’re going to stay healthy. Poor diet, stress, antibiotics, and pollution damages the good bacteria – which is why it’s so important to be taking a probiotic daily.
LIVE WELL TIP:
Look for a probiotic that has 15 billion to 100 billion number of probiotics.
Buy one that has 10-30 different strains.
Look for one that has different strains like Lactobacillus and Bacillus coagulans, as these survive longer and actually make it to the gut.
WHAT MY FAMILY USES:
Flora’s Toddler Probiotic: I buy this for Iylee who is 2.5 years old {too young for the one below}. This is in powder form so it’s easy to add to oatmeal, applesauce, almond milk, etc.
Garden of Life: This one is chewable which is super convenient and my oldest daughter loves the taste.
Flora’s Infant Probiotic: We used this one when our girls were babies. You can mix in it with breastmilk (or formula) if you’re giving a bottle or add a tiny bit to your nipple before breastfeeding. This was really important to give my girls because they were c-section babies and didn’t get all the good bacteria that they would have received if they’d been born vaginally.
New Chapter’s Complete Gut Health: Our family loves the quality of this probiotic. Plus, it doesn’t have to be refrigerated which makes life a little easier!
Good Day Chocolates: I love taking these with me when our family is traveling! Super convenient to travel with and the kid’s version makes taking vitamins even easier because who doesn’t like chocolate?!
Multivitamin
The best way to get all the vitamins your family needs is to focus on eating a well-balanced diet with more vegetables and fruits. But, we often fall short.
So, I like to think of a multivitamin as an extra boost to help protect your body against vitamin and mineral deficiencies. If you need help creating a healthy habit that’ll boost your energy levels naturally and really make a difference in your life check out my free 7-day simple greens program.
Don’t rely on a multivitamin to give you everything your body needs. Focus on your family’s healthy eating and let the multivitamin add to what you’re already doing. Multivitamins optimize cellular function and keep your systems working consistently at it’s best.
LIVE WELL TIP:
When buying for yourself, look for multivitamins in capsule form with an easily absorbed coating versus harder-to-digest tablet versions.
Find one that’s non-GMO, no artificial flavors and dyes...this is key especially when choosing for your children!
WHAT MY FAMILY USES:
Raise Them Well: I love the quality of these vitamins and my girls love taking them too. They usually remind me to give them their vitamins. I love that this brand chooses their ingredients carefully and are made without synthetic dyes or fillers. It’s an all in one vitamin with Vitamin K2, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin B12… which makes my life as a mom a little easier.
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Women: If I’m being honest, I’m horrible at taking a multivitamin! But I love Garden of Life because they’re meticulous with their products and this one is designed specifically for women.
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Men: This one is designed for men and is tailored to their needs which I love. This brand is one that we go to over and over again.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is more than just a cure for the common cold or feeling under the weather. However, I swear liquid vitamin C helped my girls fight off illness during winter and kept their symptoms from getting worse. I ended up buying 3 bottles at one time because I didn’t want to run out...a little aggressive but I truly believe it helped!
In addition to fighting off the common cold, Vitamin C is also known to help fight against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling. You can get Vitamin C from different food sources. Fun fact: 1 cup broccoli actually has the same amount of Vitamin C than an orange!
LIVE WELL TIP:
Take during the winter months to boost your immune system
Or when you feel like a cold or flu is coming on
Look for one that doesn’t have any added fillers, artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors, etc.
WHAT MY FAMILY USES:
Child Life Liquid Vitamin C: I love liquid vitamin C because your body absorbs it faster. The girls love the orange flavor. If I sense a cold coming on or different times during the winter I give a little higher dose to keep our little girls healthy.
Garden of Life Raw Vitamin C: Love this brand because it has no synthetic binders or fillers, artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors, or additives commonly used in tablets. We take this daily during the winter months to boost our immune system and fight off the flu and colds. It’s the perfect Vitamin C for the adults in your family.
Vitamin D
It is reported that 90% of adults have a Vitamin D deficiency. That is staggering. Direct exposure to the sun is the best way to absorb this important vitamin.
I like to sit outside for 10-15 minutes daily, without sunscreen to absorb Vitamin D. However, in the winter I can’t. That’s when I make sure to take Vitamin D in liquid form. Vitamin D helps improve mood, contributes to bone health, helps manage blood sugar levels, and so much more.
LIVE WELL TIP:
Sit outside daily, without sunscreen for 10-15 minutes to absorb Vitamin D naturally.
Winter is when Vitamin D deficiencies can really kick in, taking a Vitamin D supplement can help reduce the symptoms.
WHAT MY FAMILY USES:
Pure Mountain Botanicals: I love this liquid Vitamin D because it’s fast-absorbing, easy to take, and free of any fillers or questionable preservatives. Our family doesn’t need it as much in the summer, but I double up on the dosage during the wintertime to ensure our Vitamin D levels don’t get too low.
Turmeric
Turmeric is more than just a spice or natural pigment. In fact, it’s listed as the single most anti-inflammatory food in the Dietary Inflammatory Index. For centuries its root has been used as medicine in many cultures.
The root of the turmeric plant contains a yellow-colored chemical called curcumin. It’s a polyphenol. Polyphenols are micronutrients that we get through certain plant-based foods. They're loaded with antioxidants and provide many health benefits.
Studies have shown both the topical and oral benefits of turmeric. You can learn about those benefits here.
LIVE WELL TIP:
When looking for a daily turmeric capsule/supplement, make sure the dose provides at least 1/4 TSP (750mg) of turmeric. You also want to be sure it contains black pepper so your body is able to absorb the turmeric.
WHAT MY FAMILY USES:
Life Well Lived Turmeric Capsules: We developed our own Turmeric Capsules because of how important it is for preventing and lowering inflammation. And many of the turmeric supplements on the market contain needed fillers or don’t provide an adequate dose. The Life Well Lived Turmeric Capsules contain your full daily dose of anti-inflammatory turmeric – plus we added a pinch of black pepper to make sure you’re able to absorb all its benefits. Click here to order yours today.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is made from apple cider that has undergone fermentation to form healthy bacteria, enzymes, and probiotics. It’s been used for centuries to maintain blood sugar levels, fight off colds, detoxify the body, and aid in weight loss.
This has become one of my family’s favorite health hacks. I drink it daily and it’s one of the easiest things to add to your routine with so many health benefits. Read the article, Apple Cider Vinegar 101 to learn about all the other health benefits ACV provides.
LIVE WELL TIP:
Only buy organic, raw, and unfiltered apple cider vinegar that has the mother still intact. This will provide the most nutrients.
WHAT MY FAMILY USES:
Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar: There are different brands out there, but I typically buy Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar which I can find at most grocery stores or on Amazon. I have also seen an organic ACV with the mother still intact at Aldi.
Protein powder
This isn’t typically what you would add to a vitamin and supplement post but I get asked all the time what protein powder I use so I wanted to share it with you. When choosing a protein powder for your family you want to make sure that it’s free of any fake sugars or additives.
Even those so-called “healthy” ones or low-calorie ones are often not good for you. They add fake sugars and additives that will wreak havoc on your health. When choosing a protein powder for your family find a protein powder with few ingredients and without any extra additives or fake sugar.
LIVE WELL TIP
Choose a protein powder free of fake sugars, additives, and soy.
Don’t just go for the cheapest or low cal protein.
Always look at the ingredient list
WHAT MY FAMILY USES:
Four Sigmatic: My husband and I have been using this protein powder for awhile and I love that it’s free of dairy, whey, and doesn’t sit heavy in my stomach. It goes through very little processing and doesn’t contain any of the junk often found in protein pwders.
We love the vanilla. It’s perfect in smoothies, energy bites, and oatmeal! You can learn all about how to create a power smoothie that will keep you feeling fuller longer and turn off those hunger hormones.
Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most common deficiencies in the world. It’s also one of my newer favorite supplements to take.
It has so many benefits and is known to calm nerves and anxiety, relieve muscle aches and spasms, prevent migraine headaches, help with insomnia and promote sleep, and helps with digestion. We don’t take magnesium every day, but I definitely take it after a hard workout, when I’m feeling anxious, traveling, or in the evening when I want to calm my body for sleep.
LIVE WELL TIP:
Choose a magnesium that’s free from additives and fillers.
Use every day or when you have sore muscles, have anxiety, traveling or need help sleeping.
WHAT MY FAMILY USES:
Natural Vitality Natural Calm: If you want to start taking magnesium this is the way to do it. I get the unflavored version and think it tastes just fine. Just add a little of the powder to water, mix, and drink. It’s helped me with sore muscles after a harder workout or when I just need a little help relaxing.
Raise Them Well Magnesium Oil Balm: We use this for our girls at night or nap time and it’s been a game changer. The Magnesium Oil Balm is easy to apply and it really helps soothe and calm them so it’s easy for them to fall asleep.
Final thoughts about vitamins and supplements for your family
You may be feeling a little overwhelmed and thinking “oh my word, I have to buy all of these?!” But don’t feel overwhelmed because you definitely don’t need to buy everything I mentioned above for your family.
If you and your family aren’t taking anything I highly recommend starting with a probiotic. This is what I would choose if my family were to only take one supplement.
I wanted to compile this list as a resource so you could find what vitamins and supplements your family needs. You may just need to add one and your family will be good to go. Some I take daily, like probiotics and apple cider vinegar. Others I take every other day or when I really need a boost, like Magnesium and Vitamin C. Listen to your body and your specific needs.
If you have any questions or concerns I’d love to hear from you! Comment below with what vitamins and supplements your family currently takes or which ones you want to add.
About the author:
Kara Swanson is a certified nutritionist and founder of Life Well Lived. She is married to her best friend and the proud mother of three. Her passion is to make nutrition simple+easy+delicious!