Do You Need a Vitamin Supplement?

Have you ever thought that you might need to take a multivitamin supplement? If you are not sure, take this short quiz to help determine if you are a candidate for a supplement…

On most days do you:

  1. Eat 6 to 11 servings of grains (bread, cereal, pasta, and rice)? One serving equals 1 slice of bread, ½ c. rice or pasta, 1 oz. dry cereal, ½ bagel or english muffin.
    If your answer is yes, give yourself 3 points. If your answer is no, give yourself 0 points.
  2. Eat at least 2 servings of fruit? One serving equals ½ c. chopped or canned fruit, ¾ c. fruit juice, 1 med. piece of fresh fruit.
    Yes= 3. No= 0.
  3. Eat at least 3 servings of vegetables a day? One serving equals ½ c. cooked, 1c. raw, leafy vegetables, ¾ c. vegetable juice.
    Yes= 3. No= 0.
  4. Generally eat the same foods every day?
    Yes= 0. No= 3.
  5. Eat 2 or more servings of dairy foods a day? One serving equals 1 c. milk or yogurt, 1 ½ oz. natural cheese, 2 oz. processed cheese.
    Yes= 3. No= 0.
  6. Eat 2 to 3 servings of lean meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, or nuts each day? One serving equals 3 oz. cooked meat, poultry, or fish, one egg, ½ c. cooked beans, 2 T. peanut butter.
    Yes= 3. No= 0.
  7. Frequently skip meals or miss out on one or more food groups for the entire day?
    Yes= 0.No= 3.

If you scored:

15 points or more: You know how to make wise food choices and get the variety of foods important for a healthy eating plan.

9-12 points: You could be getting more nutrients by fine tuning your food choices. Try to add the servings of foods that you are missing.

0-6 points: By making changes you will be able to gradually improve your eating pattern. While food is the best way to obtain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, you may benefit from a multivitamin/mineral supplement.

Other people who may benefit from a multivitamin/mineral supplement are:

  • People who lead a hectic lifestyle and cannot eat according to the food guide pyramid.
  • If you are on a very low calorie weight loss diet.
  • If you are elderly and are not eating as well as you used to.
  • If you are a strict vegetarian.
  • If you can’t drink milk or other dairy foods.
  • If you are a woman of childbearing age who doesn’t get enough folate in her diet.

Adapted from the American Dietetic Association.