People can take supplements for any number of reasons. They may be looking to lose weight, build muscle, recover from illness or make up for dietary restrictions. Whatever your reasons for taking them, you may discover that it’s not easy to keep up with a supplement program. If you have difficulty taking nutritional supplements, here’s what you can do:
Some supplements are difficult to digest, which often leads to nausea. To avoid nausea when taking supplements, avoid taking them on an empty stomach. If possible, take them with a small snack that contains protein or with a meal at the appropriate time of day. You can also try chewable or liquid forms of the vitamin to see if they’re easier on your stomach. Some people find that starting with chewables and easing into capsules help them avoid stomach discomfort.
Another digestive issue people often deal with when starting new supplements is constipation. Constipation when taking supplements often results from not properly hydrating or consuming enough fiber. If constipation persists when you up your water and fiber intake, you may want to talk to your doctor about taking stool softeners or magnesium supplements.
Sometimes, pills are just hard to swallow. You may be able to use more water to make it easier, but this isn’t always the case. If you’ve tried a couple of times to swallow a capsule and struggled, consider switching to a chewable, liquid, powder or melt version. You may also look into once-daily supplements that cover most of your supplement needs.
For some, adding supplements to daily routines is the hardest part. Use alarms, phone calendar reminders and planners to remind yourself to take them at the right times each day. Find out which vitamins and supplements need to be taken during each time(s) of day. Keep supplements where you’ll see them and pre-pack travel doses to remove the guesswork. Aim for consistency over perfection, taking a “never miss twice” approach versus an all-or-nothing one.
When you’re on a weight loss journey, supplements are often an essential part of keeping you healthy and on the right track. Taking them regularly can make all the difference. If you need more tips about taking supplements, reach out to your doctor. We’re always here to help!
