When “health” foods come with a cost
He said to me “It’s exciting to see more supplement companies making gummies.”
“But with the number of supplements I take, I’d be eating a handful of sugar. It’s just not worth it,” I replied.
We parted ways and I walked back to help my team break down our Expo booth. It was the final day of Expo West and we were both ready to go home.
And with that, I felt a strange pull to better understand the moment of dialogue. Did I REALLY know what I was talking about? Or was I just biased.
I began digging through my samples from the Expo, grabbing all the gummy supplements I’d brought home…
Multivitamins
Iron
Immune Support/Elderberry with Zinc
Probiotics
Turmeric for inflammation
Eye support
Collagen and collagen boosters
Brain support
Apple Cider Vinegar
Melatonin
Biotin
Ashwagandha
And on and on…
I read every package, every ingredient, seeing so many of the same ingredients repeating.
Cane sugar.
Tapioca syrup.
Vegetable oil.
The question remains, is it worth it?
For my clients who battle with binge eating, this is one of THE worst things I could recommend to them. For clients who battle with stress/emotion-induced food cravings, again, dangerous. For clients who battle with mental health struggles connected to gut issues, still, not ideal.
“Sugar consumption can create a short-term high and a spark of energy in the body. Some studies have suggested that sugar is as addictive as Cocaine. People often enjoy the dopamine release that sugar brings. But due to the addictive nature of sugar, long-term health effects like obesity and diabetes are a risk of sugar overindulgence. Similar to other compulsions or behavioral addictions, sugar addiction is a special risk for people with low moods, anxiety, and stress.” -Addiction Center
If it were just one serving, averaging around 2 grams of sugar, of a multi-vitamin, it MAY not be so bad.
But an adult or a child needs more than just a basic multivitamin to cover for missing nutrients in their foods due to soil depletion and quality of the prepared foods they’re eating.
A vegetarian or vegan diet may require more iron than a multi can provide.
When your immune system is struggling due to stress, poor eating habits, lack of exercise, or low sunlight exposure, you’ll need more than a multi can offer.
Those who sit at the computer or stare at a phone screen all day, will definitely need more than a basic multi.
You get the point.
In the end, we go from 2 grams of sugar to roughly 22g by adding some of the extras.
Is it worth it?
In my opinion…no.
Hell no.
And what about the hidden vegetable oils?
“Soy, corn, sunflower, safflower, and palm oils all have a high concentration of the inflammatory fat, omega-6, and are low in the anti-inflammatory fat, omega-3. In fact, Americans are eating so many vegetable-oil-laden products that the average person has an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of around 20:1 when it should be 1:1. While inflammation is a natural, protective part of the body’s immune response, it’s only protective in low doses. When you constantly put your immune system in a state of attack, you can put your body into a chronic state of inflammation. Over time, this can cause weight gain, drowsiness, skin problems, digestive issues, and a host of diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and depression.” -Eat This, Not That
But if you don’t have another solution, and you’re already eating a lot of processed foods and sugar, it may be healthier than your current lifestyle.
Perhaps, we look at other options?
As a Naturopath, I’m always looking for better solutions to recommend to my clients.
In this case, I have a few.
There are no affiliate links here. I’m just a fan of these products.
MARY RUTH’S: Liquid Morning Multivitamin
- If you struggle getting capsules and pill forms of supplements down, this is a great option that’s Non-GMO, Vegan, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Gluten/Wheat-Free, Soy-Free, Corn-Free, and Sugar-Free.
FLORA: Certified Organic Elderberry with echinacea
- With so many sugar-loaded elderberry syrups on the market, this one is a natural blend of elderberry juice, echinacea and licorice root and sweetened only by stevia.
FEELGOOD SUPERFOODS: Fruit + Veggie Immune Support Shot
- A single-serving with 26 organic fruits and vegetables, sweetened with stevia, erythritol, and monk fruit, this superfood shot is loaded with B, C, and D vitamins to support healthy immune function.
TIMELINE: Mitopure
- Comes in two drink forms, one with protein and one without. This formula boosts mitochondria health supporting energy and muscle function.
Thankfully, there are many non-pill, sugar-free options for supporting optimal health. You deserve the best. Choose wisely.
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Alida McDaniel is a Holistic Chef and Life Coach with 18 years in the industry. Her background includes training in holistic nutrition, spiritual psychology, energy healing, yin yoga, and naturopathy.
