Research shows that cooking at home with plenty of whole plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds is one of the healthiest ways to eat. But for many people, whipping up a nutritious meal every day isn’t always possible. A 2021 survey by OnePoll found that about 45% of Americans feel they are too busy to take the time to cook. If you can’t get enough whole foods in your diet, you also have the option of taking whole food-based vitamins. As the name suggests, these are vitamin capsules with ingredients that come from real fruits and vegetables, not synthetics. Want to know more? We’re here to help. But remember: these are not excuses to stop eating fruits and vegetables!
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What are Whole Food Vitamins?
Simply put, whole food vitamins are dietary supplements made from concentrated whole foods rich in vitamins, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. They are often used instead of or in combination with synthetic ingredients made in a laboratory. So if you prefer a completely plant-based vitamin, it’s worth researching the brand and inspecting the label before you buy. “Any supplement that lists nutrients individually, such as vitamin C, or uses chemical names, such as ascorbic acid, is almost certainly synthetic,” says Mary Jane Brown, PhD. Healthline.
Are whole food vitamins safe?
Before making any dietary changes or starting a new vitamin supplement, it’s best to consult with a medical professional first, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from nutritional deficiencies. It’s important to remember that taking vitamins won’t fix your unhealthy eating habits overnight. “Making smart lifestyle choices is the best way to ensure your future health,” says Dr. Raul Ceballos. Cleveland Clinic.
But that being said, vitamins, whether synthetic or from whole food sources, are safe for most people to take. And some research suggests whole food sources may be better because they’re more easily absorbed by the body. “Whole food vitamins may be more bioavailable, meaning your body can recognize and use them more quickly,” says Kara Collier, RD, CNSC. Live strongHowever, they tend to have lower vitamin concentrations, so it’s important to treat them as a dietary supplement rather than a replacement for vegetables.
Where to buy vegan whole food vitamins
If you want to start taking whole food vitamins, there are several brands on the market that offer a variety of options. To help you decide which one is best for you, we’ve compiled a list of 10 brands to check out, in no particular order.
Terraceed
1Terraceed Complete Multivitamin
TerraSeed has a multi-faceted mission. First, they want to help you improve your health, so they developed an effective, powerful vegan multivitamin made with a mix of synthetic and natural ingredients like algae oil, amla (aka Indian gooseberry), kelp, and lichen. They also want to fight plastic waste in the supplement industry, so their packaging is biodegradable.
Get it here
Future Kind+
2 FutureKind Vegan Complete Multivitamin
Made with 42 fruits and vegetables, this multivitamin from Future Kind+ aims to support digestive and gut health, as well as provide vitamins (including B12 and D3) to help maintain overall wellness. And best of all, this multivitamin is packaged in a 100% recycled bottle.
Get it here
Deva
3 Deva Vegan One-Day Multivitamin & Mineral
Spirulina, black cumin, broccoli, carrot, chamomile, and spinach are just a few of the plant-based ingredients used in this multivitamin from Deva. If you need an iron-free supplement, Deva also offers an iron-free version of this balanced, animal-free formula.
Get it here
Veggie Power
Four Veggie Power Whole Food Multivitamin
Although this multivitamin from Vegepower does contain synthetic ingredients, it’s made with a rich blend of whole foods, including herbs like echinacea, mushrooms like shiitake, and vegetables like carrots and cauliflower. All these natural ingredients work together to create a blend of 26 essential vitamins and minerals, according to the brand. Plus, the formula is free of the top 14 allergens and developed in a nut-free facility.
Get it here
Now Foods
Five Now Foods Adrenal Stress Support
According to Now Foods, this unique vitamin was formulated to “support a healthy adrenal stress response” and contains a mix of synthetic and natural ingredients, including green tea extract, basil extract, and reishi mushroom powder.
Get it here
Naturelo/Instagram
6 Naturero One Daily Multivitamin
All Naturelo vitamins contain whole food-based ingredients, so there are plenty of options to choose from, but this One Daily Multivitamin designed for women is a great all-around choice, containing vitamin D3 from wild lichen, iodine from kelp, and vitamin E from sunflower.
Get it here
Pure Synergy
7 Pure Synergy Super B Complex
Designed to be taken daily, the vitamin is a source of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Its organic ingredients list includes choline, barley grass, soy, and vitamin B5, and it’s made with “a special fermentation process using organic vegetables, fruits, and other natural food sources,” according to Pure Synergy, a popular Utah-based supplement brand.
Get it here
Healthy Wellness/Instagram
8 Wholesome Wellness Raw Probiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics play an important role in maintaining gut health (you can learn more about this here ). There are a variety of vegan supplement options on the market, but if you’re looking for something made with whole food ingredients, these capsules from Wholesome Wellness contain probiotic strains extracted from organically grown produce.
Get it here
Kirkland Signature
9 Kirkland Signature Organic Multivitamin
Kirkland Signature, available at Costco, has a wide range of supplements and vitamins, and while not all are vegan (like cod liver oil), they do offer organic multivitamins that are plant-based and free of synthetic ingredients, and are gluten-free, non-GMO, and USDA certified.
Get it here
Site Plan/Instagram
Ten Site Plan Whole Food Multi
British brand Cytoplan aims to minimise the “nutrition gap” in the UK by providing the highest quality, well-formulated supplements. Designed for men and post-menopausal women, its Whole Food Multi contains 120 vegan capsules fortified with vitamins and minerals from cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli, carrots, artichoke leaves and beetroot.
Get it here
To learn more about vegan vitamins, read on:
Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on the south coast of England.
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