Everyday Steps to Ensure You Are Getting The Essentials

To ensure that you get enough vitamins and minerals, all you have to do is take a multivitamin every day. Easy, right? Then why do we perpetually forget? Whatever the reason, sometimes it is difficult to make sure that we are getting all of our essential vitamins and minerals. Don’t sweat it, though! Outlined here are five essential vitamins and minerals that will get you feeling great.

 
Vitamin A
 
Vitamin A helps your body to form and maintain healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes (yuck!), and skin. Remember your mom telling you to brush your teeth every night? Do her right and keep those pearly whites healthy by making sure you get your daily serving of dairy. Eggs are a great source of Vitamin A – grab an omelet in Moseley.
 
Vitamin E
 
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that aids in the formation of red blood cells. Red blood cells are super important – they deliver oxygen and remove waste. They keep you alive! Vitamin E isn’t too hard to find. Ask for some corn, olives, or sunflower seeds in your salad. Throw some spinach in that omelet you always order at Colonnades brunch.
 
Vitamin D
 
Good morning, sunshine! Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” because the body produces it when exposed to the sun. Don’t go crazy, though. You only need to be exposed to the sun for ten to fifteen minutes a week to produce a sufficient amount of vitamin D. It helps to absorb calcium, which we know helps to keep our teeth and bones healthy.

 
Vitamin C
 
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps your body keep your teeth and gums healthy. It also helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue. You can get your daily dose of vitamin C by grabbing some fruit. Citrus fruits and juices are fantastic sources of Vitamin C. Another great source of Vitamin C is Emergen-C, a vitamin drink mix that can be found in a variety of flavors. My favorite is Açai berry. It’s loaded with Vitamin C, B vitamins, and antioxidants.
 
 
Iron
 
Women tend to not get enough Iron but it has a variety of benefits. Iron is important for muscle health. It is present in the muscle tissues and helps in supply of oxygen that is essential to the contraction of muscles. You work so hard on those muscles at the gym – treat them right by ensuring that you are getting enough Iron. Additionally, a lack of iron can lead to anemia, which is never a good thing. Anemia can cause dizziness, fatigue, and headaches, among other things. Iron works to prevent all of these undesired conditions. To ensure that you are getting enough Iron, get your daily dose of whole grains. Whole grains can be found in the whole grain bagels and many cereals that are carried in Octagon and downstairs Colonnades. Almonds are another great source of iron. So grab a bag of almonds from Octagon or downstairs Colonnades.
 
 
Ensuring that you are getting enough essential vitamins and minerals may seem daunting, but relax! If you make a few conscious healthy decisions every day, you will be on the right track and feeling healthier than ever.
 
Sources
 
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002399.htm
 
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-benefits
 
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/minerals/health-benefits-of-iron.html
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0003074/