When I was little (or let's be honest, all the way up until college), I could NOT take vitamins/supplements. It was a tough pill to swallow (literally). My dad is a Chiropractor so he has always been an advocate of eating well and getting the nutrients we need for our body to thrive. Unfortunately for ME, that meant learning how to take a few supplements.
It's hard to say whether or not my parents would have given me gummy vitamins back in the day if they were as prevalent (my guess is probably not - and we'll dive into why). But I'm extremely thankful that gummy vitamins weren't really around when I was a kid.
If you aren't a fan of taking supplements but you need a little extra vitamin D, vitamin B12 or perhaps some magnesium, can you and should you opt for the gummy vitamin route - especially if weight loss is your goal?
Today, I'm breaking down the deets of gummy vitamins/supplements and what you need to know before you buy your next bottle.
First, What Are Gummy Vitamins?
Gummy vitamins are the food industry's answer to capsule vitamins. Gummy vitamins look and taste like your typical sugar-filled gummy bears while containing some amount of vitamins or minerals to "supplement" your diet.
From where I'm standing, there are two main problems with gummy vitamins.
Problem #1 Packed With Sugar
Because these gummy vitamins taste like candy, they're easy to take! And each gummy vitamin, depending on the brand, will contain between 1-3 grams of added sugar per gummy. If you're taking a typical recommended serving, you'll be having three gummies at a total of 3-9g of added sugar. And if you happen to snack on a few more, bringing your total to 10 gummy vitamins (because who HASN'T done this before??) You're looking at 10-30g of added sugars!
Specifically if weight loss is your goal, this could seriously negatively effect your progress. Sugar is one of the biggest drivers of the storing hormone insulin. When insulin is present, it shuts off lipolysis (fat burning) and promotes weight gain. The more sugars that you consume, the more insulin that is produced and the stronger storing effect this has on your body. Even if those sugars are coming from "vitamin" gummy bears.
Problem #2 Different Responses In The Body
Another main problem with the gummy vitamins is that they typically haven't been tested. Let's take apple cider vinegar as an example. Apple cider vinegar or vinegar in general has been tested in it's LIQUID, ORIGINAL form to have positive benefits on blood glucose levels and possibly weight loss. However this has NEVER been tested with apple cider vinegar in gummy form. This might seem like it shouldn't make a difference, but the mode of transport makes ALL the difference. If you're interested in how this works, check out my short video below.
Should You Use It?
You're likely better off without it, especially if weight loss is your goal. If you need to take supplements or are advised by your Nutritionist or Doctor to take supplements, there are a variety of other ways you can get these in. When I was younger, I used to uncap the vitamin capsules and pour it in water. I even have clients that will add it to their food or smoothies for easier consumption. And in many cases, you might not even need to be taking a supplement at all. Make sure to check with your Nutritionist to see if you're getting enough from your food sources or if you need to supplement your diet.
Otherwise, skip the gummy vitamins and you're likely better off.
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Your Nutritionist,
Autumn
Autumn Elle Nutrition
DISCLAIMER: The author is not a doctor. The advice given in this article is from the author's own research and implementation and should not replace medical advice. Always consult your doctor and nutritionist before making any changes to your lifestyle/diet.