Are you having trouble taking your dietary supplements? Maybe you forget to take them or have difficulty swallowing capsules. Then this article is for you! Read our best tips on how to get your supplements in every day.
Which supplements do you need?
Step one is obviously to choose which supplements you need. It's not always the easiest, but we're here to help you. A good start is to read our article "The five most important supplements we take every day". If you then have questions about what's right for you specifically, we're here to answer your questions via chat, email, and phone!
How do you take them most easily?
A second step is to consider which form of supplement you should choose to take them most easily. Here follows a small compilation of different forms of supplements and their advantages and disadvantages.
Tablets & Capsules
A common form that is easy to remember and easy to take to work or when traveling, for most people. The most common disadvantage is that large capsules can be difficult to swallow. One way around this is to open the capsules (or crush the tablets) and mix them in food or drink. However, some supplements have a very sharp taste and then it can be a challenge.
Liquid Form
Liquid supplements are a good solution if you have difficulty swallowing capsules. It's a simple and effective way to get nutrition. One disadvantage is that some of them need to be stored in the refrigerator and then don't have as long a shelf life as other forms once they are opened. This can also make them a bit harder to remember to take since they can't stand out on the table or in the pantry with other supplements. The taste can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on the type of supplement and individual taste.
Powder Form
Many supplements, and especially superfoods, are available in powder form. This is a very good solution for many people since you can mix it in drinks, porridge, or other types of food. Many powders taste good and have the advantage of adding flavor to smoothies, porridge, etc., while others are not as tasty which then becomes a disadvantage. Obviously, it's individual which flavors you like here.
A "total solution" – supersmoothie!
A great way to get many of your supplements in one go is to develop your own "supersmoothie" with all the ingredients that make you feel good! Take, for example, a green powder, various herbal extracts, the contents from some capsules, maybe a protein powder, and throw everything into the blender with some berries, perhaps almond milk and/or fruit. It can easily become a routine for breakfast or as a snack if you manage to create a tasty recipe!
Remembering your supplements
Last but not least, you need a way to remember to take your supplements. Unfortunately, they have no effect if they just sit on the shelf or in the refrigerator. A good thing to remember is that supplements are like all other habits; it requires a little effort in the beginning but once it becomes a habit, it will happen automatically – just like brushing your teeth.
Morning routine
A simple way can be to have a morning routine that is the same every day. Then it quickly becomes a habit. For example, taking your supplements together with breakfast or in the form of a supersmoothie. Then you have at least one point every day that is loaded with nutrition.
Dinner
It's optimal if you remember to take supplements even with dinner. Certain nutrients pass through the body quickly and need to be replenished often for optimal levels. This applies to, for example, vitamin C, B vitamins, and many herbs.
Evening routine
Some supplements like magnesium, calming herbs, or certain probiotics have the best effect when taken in the evening. Most of us already have an evening routine when we brush our teeth, read something, maybe drink herbal tea or water. If you take some of these supplements in connection with this, it will soon become a habit that is easy to remember.
Weekly pill organizer
A solution to avoid having to think about your supplements every day is to have a pill organizer that you fill with the supplements you should take each day. They come in different sizes for different needs, some divided with times of the day for those who want to go all the way with that method.
Together
If you live in a family or in a collective, one way to remember your supplements is to take them at the same time as others in the house. When someone takes out their bottle, you are automatically reminded to take your own supplements. If you have trouble remembering your supplements, maybe you can ask your partner/family to remind you?
