I thought if I ate a healthy, well-balanced diet, I’d get all the nutrition I needed. Wrong! (“X” with a buzzer sound.) I wanted a healthy diet to be the complete answer. But, unfortunately, it wasn’t, as demonstrated through nutrition research (and nutritional testing in my practice.)
I’ve narrowed down my essential supplements to a few fundamental basics through lots of trial and error. Hopefully, this will shorten your learning curve and save you time and money! So keep reading for essential supplements to close your nutritional gaps, boost your mood and energy, and support sound sleep.
CLOSE YOUR NUTRITIONAL GAPS
When our daughters were younger, I was a bit obsessed with their diet – just a wee-bit. I tried to close their nutritional gaps with morning smoothies. When I overdid the spinach, and it backfired with refusal, I tried to disguise the taste of the greens by adding more fruit. Unfortunately, my smoothies became too fruit-sugar-heavy. So now, we drink plant-based shakes that include nutrients sourced from legumes and organic veggies like sweet potato, spinach, sunflower seed, shiitake mushroom, maitake mushroom, chlorella, broccoli, pumpkin, and kelp. Of course, if I blended all those whole foods up in a blender, it would taste awful! But these shakes taste amazing with only 1 gram of added sugar!
I vividly remember the stomach pains I felt from prenatal multivitamins. I wanted to boost my nutrients to grow our little one and overcome my nutritional gaps but struggled to take the pills daily. Too painful! Now I supplement my nutritional gaps with daily vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fats, and antioxidants. The brand I use comes with special age-defying and gender-specific nutrients in convenient AM/PM packets. This also makes traveling with nutrition so easy!
Now I supplement my nutritional gaps with daily vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fats, and antioxidants. The brand I use comes with special age-defying and gender-specific nutrients in convenient AM/PM packets. This also makes traveling with nutrition so easy!
BOOST YOUR MOOD & ENERGY
According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress is linked to the six leading causes of death and more than 75 percent of physician office visits.
Cortisol – the “stress hormone” – is produced when we perceive a threat to help us fight or flee. But if we’re feeling threatened or stressed all the time, cortisol starts misbehaving. This misbehavior can create many problems, from sticky pounds, difficulty sleeping through the night, and ultimately chronic disease and even death.
My favorite stress relief supplements are adaptogens – a group of plants with funny names. The word adaptogen comes from the Greek word adapto, meaning “to adjust.” So adaptogens are protective plants that help us better adapt and adjust to stress. They strengthen our bodies to reduce the physical, mental, and emotional impact of stress. Say hello to better moods and more energy!†
Adaptogens come in many different forms. My three favorite products blend multiple adaptogens together to reap the benefits each stress relief herb brings. Ashwagandha for relaxation, Rhodiola and Schisandra for energy, and Eleuthero for focus†. Astragalus for immune health or bacopa for memory†.
SUPPORT SOUND SLEEP
It’s crazy how sleep can become elusive as we age. As a pin perfectly summarized: “My sleeping pattern isn’t even a pattern anymore; it’s a freestyle.” LOL.
So what’s the deal-e-o with sleep? It’s complicated. Sleep can be a multifaceted puzzle, and it’s critical for vibrant health. It’s so essential, I’d go as far as to say you should make sleep your #1 priority before ANY other health goal on your list. Without quality sleep, your body underperforms all day. This makes releasing sticky pounds, lots of energy, killer workouts, or fighting your chronic illness a beast to accomplish.
Are you ready to crack your sleep code once and for all? Then, read Why Can’t I Sleep? You’ll discover the top three sleep disruptors and what you can do to get more much-needed Zzz’s – including my favorite sleep supplement. It’s like having sleep insurance for under $20 a month!
Life’s too short to stay stuck eating a healthy diet that falls flat on meeting your nutritional needs. Instead, supplement your shortcomings with high-quality supplements so you can feel confident with energy to be, do, and give your best self every day! You deserve to feel empowered with confidence and energy to live your soulFULL purpose.
#WeAreInThisTogether for #HealthyChange
P.S. Don’t miss My Favorite Supplements {Beyond Basics} for key products to strengthen your digestive and immune health, power up your workouts, and help you glow from the inside out!
P.P.S. Not all supplements are created equal. Not sure how to tell a high-quality supplement from an (ahem) not so high-quality one? Read How to Tell If a Supplement is High Quality for three ways top supplement manufacturers distinguish themselves from the rest.
†This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
About the Author: Dr. Sue
Sue McCreadie, MD (aka Dr. Sue), is a Pediatric Physician and Breakthrough Coach for Midlife Mamas. For over two decades, she’s helped thousands achieve vibrant health as a wellness expert. Bringing three daughters into this world, she lost four along the way, and crossed the pregnancy finish line a digestive–hormonal–emotional mess. But, over the following decade, she found a deeper meaning for miscarriages, reclaimed vibrant health, and grew emotional resiliency. Dr. Sue is obsessed with living her soulFULL purpose and helping other growth-minded Mamas do the same. She believes we are in this together to rise up, realize our dreams, and feel fulfilled in every facet of our lives.