Until I had children, I was never really a vitamin taker. But when we decided to start trying to have kids, I started taking prenatal vitamins. During each of my pregnancies, I took my vitamins daily and rarely forgot. But when that newborn got home and I was so tired that sometimes I forgot to even brush my teeth? Well, vitamins didn’t even cross my mind. Occasionally I’d remember and take them a day or two but when the bottle ran out, I never got more. That happened with every pregnancy.
At my last checkup, my lovely nurse practitioner (Hi, KW!) reminded me that I needed to be taking a daily vitamin and I had really great intentions of doing so! But each time I’d go to the store, I’d forget to buy any. So, here I am one year postpartum and still no vitamins. Oops.
So when I got an email about partnering with Centrum’s Nutrition Possible website, I figured it was just the kick in the pants I needed.
But I’ll be honest, one of the things I hate most about getting anything over-the-counter is the 50 million choices. Do I need calcium or Vitamin D or both? What about iron? What are probiotics, anyway? I don’t eat fish, so do I need fish oil? Or omega-3 fatty acids? Aaaahhhh! My brain just short circuits. So when I heard that Nutrition Possible had an assessment quiz that could help you figure out which supplements best fits your needs, I clicked on over. In less than 5 minutes, I not only knew what kind of vitamins I needed but I also had a chance to create a personalized health and nutrition plan that includes setting up personal goals and tips on how to achieve them. AND when I completed the assessment, I was able to get a $10 off coupon! I’m not a couponer, but even I know that’s a spectacular deal! I really am excited about this and you should be, too! Click on over to get your own assessment and big ol’ coupon!
So every one can get the $10 coupon, but I also have a nice little giveaway! One lucky person will get a $25 AMEX gift card! Who wouldn’t love an extra $25? All you’ll need to do is go take the assessment on NutritionPossible.com and come back over here and leave me a comment about what you learned, what you didn’t know you were missing. All comments posted before 11:59pm(EST) on Sunday, February 12 will be eligible and a winner will be chosen using random.org.
I am participating in a sponsored campaign hosted by One2One Network. I received incentives and am eligible for prizing. While all opinions stated are my own, I make no claims about NutritionPossible.com as a product or its effectiveness.
See giveaway rules here. (Sorry, Canadians. US only.)
Pssst…There are several bloggers working with One2One and NutritionPossible.com for this project. The blogger with the most comments will win up to $500 in cash and prizes. And *ahem* that would be super-duper nice to have.
Forty entries came in before the deadline. I used random.org to determine the winner. Congrats to number 28, Amedeo Tritto!
Thanks for the shout out, Bridget! And good for you for shedding some light on a topic that most people don’t think about very often. It has been my experience that because healthcare providers don’t normally write prescriptions for vitamins (except during pregnancy), that people don’t place as much importance on taking a good multivitamin when most of us need one. And if you’re a woman, you probably need additional calcium and vitamin D as well. Vitamins, calcium, and vitamin D may not be prescribed meds, but that doesn’t make them any less important for keeping you healthy and strong, and perhaps preventing you from having to take a prescription medication in the future!
This has been on my mind lately… I stopped taking vitamins after having P and have often thought, “I should do that soon” but your encouragement helps! I also know I should increase my exercise a couple of more times a week. After taking the quiz and thinking about our food choices, I’m great at adding fruit but could work on adding veggies too!!
I am with you!! Lots of prenatal vitamins x 4 pregnancies….no vitamin taking since then! 🙂
I took the assessment, but then it didn’t give me any recommendations. Regardless, I am currently taking vitamins. And during times in life when I don’t take something regularly, I often take Vitamin D supplements.
Also, the thing about vitamins that frustrates me is that I’m never quite sure exactly what is a good vitamin – I’ve heard lots of negative things about big-name vitamins to question their use.
The assessment suggested I eat meat, ha ha, but didn’t give me any supplemental guidance. I started taking prenatal vitamins when Husband’s doctor put her finger in my face and told me to get on them (before we got married), and stopped taking them after breastfeeding. The good news is I’m back on them. 🙂
I did a subfellowship in surgical and critical care nutrition ….before that I thought vitamins outside the realm of pregnancy just gave you really expensive pee….now I can say (in a rather educated way) that I feel differently. The assessment quiz is nice. But I am a huge proponent of probiotics and fish oils for everyone now. 🙂 Go Bridget! I like this blog. And I love your daughter’s perplexed look. Nice addition! !!
love the pics 🙂 i am on prenatals now, but i was a little surprised the assessment didn’t say i needed more calcium, b/c I’m paranoid about that. It told me to eat another serving of fish and nuts, which I can totally do 🙂 Also, beans, but that’s not as exciting 🙂
The assessment was fine, but it didn’t have a place for you to put if you are already taking any supplements. I work out at Curves and have been on the Curves Complete diet plan (which by the way has helped me to lose 18-1/2 pounds!) and while on the diet am taking a multivitamin, omega 3 and calcium w/vitamiin D. I do eat a lot of vegetables but according to the assessment not enough, and I do eat whole grain bread, rice, etc. but apparently not enough. However, I do have the supplements to help until I am off of the diet.
I was told I need more fish and milk in my diet. SO, I’ve decided to drink chocolate milk and take more fish oil gel tabs because I HATE fish. Anyway, it was interesting. Hope you win the contest!!
I learned that I need more fibers, whole grains.
I always think these things are very interesting. I was kinda disturbed that the only way they think you can get calcium is through milk. I’ve read a lot of books against drinking milk and eating an excess of dairy products due to the hormones (natural and added) that are in them specifically to fatten you up. I do need to take a multi-vitamin though but I don’t do zinc well, but thankfully most are slowly decreasing or removing it all together. Thanks for the opportunity! Good luck!
I took the assessment and I learned that I need to eat more fruits and vegetables.
I have a TERRIBLE time with vitamins. They sit heavy on my stomach, they make me feel disgusting, and inevitably, when I start taking them again, I end up sick.
Hope you win the 500. 🙂
So it says I need more exercise in my daily routine, (shocker!)and that I need more Omega 3 Fatty Acid as well.
Fish and jumping jacks it is then!
All I will say is that I look forward to my Gummi Vitamin every day . . . and yes they make adult Gummies.
I was informed that I need more beans and wheat products in my diet. I also need to take a daily vitamin, so I am having my coupon sent to my email or address, they asked for both lol. Thanks, since I have been dieting, I feel better but have worried about the vitamins I am missing. Love the picture – looks just like you at that age.
I Lack calcium thanks
The test told me I was a pathetic human and really needed to get out more! Lol j.k. I thought the assessment was really cool and informative..Thanks Bridget!
I took the assessment but instead of giving me results, it went back to the beginning. Regardless, it has effectively embarrassed me into drinking milk and exercising more.
I learned I am lacking calcium which isn’t that suprising since I don’t drink a lot of milk. thank you!!
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
Thanks for sending this Bridgette! I am the same. I start out taking them regularly then every other day and then every few days! I know that I have to get my routine back in gear and this will def. get me started! I think I did something wrong however because it game me no plan? Oh well, I know it anyway, you are what you eat, so eat well!
Candy
I was told I need more beans (gas porducts) and seafood (wife doesn’t cook fish) so they recommended I take Vitimin D.
Just go out in the sun for a few minutes every day & you won’ t need the supplement!
What a cutie pie! I love your pictures. Not such a fan of vitamins myself – except B12 now that I’m a vegetarian.
Thanks for the reminder of the need for vitamins. The plan assessment reminded me of what I should be eating to stay healthy. We all need reminders no matter the age. I am going to try to do better. Shirley
I have been trying to keep up with vitamins lately myself. Perhaps this will be the kick in the pants that I need!
I take a lot of vitamins and I think they help a lot. I take vitsmin C and do not seem to get a lot of colds. I am taking a joint supplement for my knees. The assessment seemed to encourage proper eating so it helps when you can not eat right to know what supplements will help.
I do not take vitamins. I recently read an article (pretty sure it was on the news as well)that said in the long-term, a multi-vitamin does not do much. It is difficult to make a clear judgement, as there is a lot of conflicting info on multi-vitamins in general that does not put the issue at rest.
I went to a nutritionist a couple of years ago looking for fibromyalgia pain relief! You would not believe all of the vitamins and supplements she had me taking. I followed her meal plan and took my vitamins like I was supposed to for two months (pathetic, I know!) In those two months, I lost over 20 pounds and felt AMAZING!!! My plan is to do this again once baby H is here! We’ll see how that goes!
I took the assessment and it informed me that I am lacking whole grains. I thought I was taking in enough whole grains in my diet but I guess I was wrong. Have to up the whole grains now. Great assessment. Thanks for the giveaway!
katbirdfl (at) gmail (dot) com
I am missing Vitamin D, Omega 3, and some things I can’t pronounce lol.
Bridget,
Did it. Hope this helps you out! Love you guys!!!
Tried to do the assessment but could not change the sleep times on my iPad and it kept sending me back to create a new account. Will try again later on my PC, but already know from answering the questions up to that point that my diet needs improving! I do already take multi-vitamin, calcium with D, and C. But I truly need more variety in my meals. Keep up the great blog. I love it!!!!!
I learned that I should be taking an Omega-3 supplement. Thanks for the giveaway!
I do not get enough calcium. Thanks!
I need more calcium!
Apparently I am lacking vitamin D and omega 3….wish salmon wasn’t sexpensive! Thanks for a super giveaway!
i took the assessment and seem to lack everything due to my crappy diet. they suggested a multivitamin.
It says that I am lacking Vitamin D and calcium and Omega 3
The assessment said that I am not getting enough veggies, fruit, or beans.
I am with you on thinking about vitamins until I am actually at the store…and then forget to buy any. I know that I need them and definitely do not get daily allowances for many things through my regular diet. Thanks for the post. It gives me more incentive to take my vitamins and try and be more healthy. I have added vitamins to my list! Woooohooo!