Should all Vegetarians take multivitamin supplements?

Question

My mom is making me take a Multivitamin supplement, she is afraid that i'm not heathy enough.

I'm taking "Centrum Performance."

Will taking this really improve my health?

Answer 1

There is no need for a vegetarian to take any supplements.

Non at all.

I've been veggie for 27 years, no supplements, never ill.

If you have a balanced diet of vegetables, fruit, nuts, cereal and dairy you wil be perfectly fine.

Ask your mum where she gets her info ? There is nothing in meat that you need to replace.

She might do well to read these great pages on nutritian provided by the vegetarian society:

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/basic-nutrition.html

and then these pages on food facts
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/foodfacts.html

It will tell you all you need to know about nutrition from a vegetarian diet

Kj highlights the problem when s/he says "My boss, who is a pharmacist, is always reccommending vitamins". Of course, there is a vested interest from all medical corners in recommending taking vitamins - its how they make money.

Answer 2

Actually, it is entirely possible and not that difficult to get everything you need from a vegetarian diet without the use of a multivitamin. If your mother is really all that concerned, have her consult a nutritionist.

Just a P.S. if you continue taking something, you might want to change the multivitamin you're taking, if you're a strict vegetarian. Centrum (all versions of it, from women's to silver, etc.) contains gelatin, which is derived from animal bones.

Answer 3

Check the ingredients. Most vitamins have gelatin.
I was also told that vitamins sold in supermarkets, especially centrum, are very poor quality supplements.

Answer 4

Vitamins make a huge difference. Make sure you are taking them. Especially if you are vegetarian because you may not be getting all the nutrients you need. My boss, who is a pharmacist, is always reccommending vitamins. But a lot of them are very different. Stop in and talk to a pharmacist and have them suggest something that sounds good for you.
I'm not vegetarian, but i started taking a super-B complex vitamin for energy and I started to notice a difference after about a week. You will definitly benefit from a vitamin.

Answer 5

Red beans and rice is the perfect protien equivalent. I learned that in culinary school. Eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, drinking lots of water and all that fun stuff should be enough to nourish your body however I don't think that a multivitamin would hurt. You should listen to your Mom and keep taking them.

Answer 6

i don't see why.. if you have a well balanced vegan or vegetarian diet (fresh fruits and vegetables along with legumes, tubers, seeds, soy... so on) you shouldn't be suffering any vitamin deficiencies.


and most vitamins just pass through the system leaving no ascertainable mineral consumption. most vitamins are a waste, just not being absorbed by the system.

Answer 7

You should only take a supplement if you absolutely need one. Your diet should provide all the vitamins & minerals you need.

Answer 8

Honestly you should try to get all the nutrition you need from your food not a supplement.

Answer 9

just want to know, is there something happened with your body since you be a vegetarian?
so your mom worry about your healthy....
all vitamin is usefull, but not necessary....
because, if you are e vegetarian, for me it's healthy enough,

Answer 10

People who eat the typical meaty American diet are the ones who need supplements!