The Go-To List of Foods to Support Vitamin & Mineral Needs

Do you take a multi-vitamin or dietary supplement? There are many reasons to take one, and also many reasons not to.

No matter how you feel about dietary supplements, you can’t deny that your body needs nutrients. 

Multi-vitamins can be great for those who cannot get all their nutrients from food, like the elderly or the young and growing.

The average adults should be eating right, versus supplementing what they are neglecting to get naturally.

For a boost of energy, better sleep, and healthy bodily functioning, try these vitamin-loaded foods:

Vitamin A

Health benefits: promotes healthy vision, healthy immune system, and cell growth.

• Cantaloupe
• Apricots
• Mangos

Vitamin C

Health benefits: protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular diseases and eye disease

• Broccoli
• Red bell peppers
• Brussel sprouts
• Papaya

Vitamin D

Health benefits: promotes strong bones and healthy immune system.

• Milk
• Eggs
• Tuna
• Salmon

Vitamin E

Health benefits: supports immune health, helps repair damaged cells

• Almonds
• Sunflower seeds
• Hazelnuts
• Peanut butter

Beta-Carotene

Health benefits: promotes healthy skin and immune system; promotes healthy vision

• Carrots
• Pumpkin
• Spinach
• Sweet potato

Folate

Health benefits: decreases risk of birth defects, promotes healthy heart, lowered risk of depression

• Lentils
• Garbanzo beans
• Asparagus
• Black beans
• Orange juice

B6

Health benefits: promotes proper brain development and function, healthy cardiovascular, muscular and immune systems

• Potatoes
• Bananas
• Chicken

B12 

Health benefits: supports energy production and healthy nervous system

• Clams
• Rainbow trout
• Sockeye salmon
• Beef

Potassium

Health benefits: promotes healthy heart, kidneys, bones and muscles

• Avocados
• Bananas
• Mushrooms
• Squash

Calcium

Health benefits: promotes bone and cardiovascular health, muscle function

• Kale
• Collard greens
• Oranges
• Figs

Zinc

Health benefits: promotes healthy immune system, proper digestion, supports energy metabolism

• Oysters
• Crab
• Yogurt
• Cheese

Antioxidants

Health benefits: supports disease prevention, promotes healthy immune system

• Organic green tea
• Blueberries
• Cranberries
• Pears

Do you notice a pattern with these foods? If there’s one rule to follow, stick with fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and lean meats. If the food falls under one of those categories, it’s bound to offer some type of nutrient. On the other hand, processed foods often contain empty calories, fat or sugar – which are not nutrient-dense.

Whether you need more vitamin C, calcium, antioxidants or other nutrients – the foods listed above can help. Give your diet the healthy kick it needs and say goodbye to a daily dietary supplement. If you’ve been lacking vitamins and minerals and you’re feeling under the weather, stop by a GoHealth Urgent Care nearest you today.

• Look for Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care in the Greater NYC Metro Area.
• Look for Dignity Health-GoHealth Urgent Care in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Look for Legacy Health-GoHealth Urgent Care in Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA.
• Look for Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent Care in Hartford and New London, CT.
• Look for Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care in Springfield and St. Louis, MO and soon in OKC!