Even in this world of relative abundance that we have created thanks to globalisation and free trade, people everywhere seem to be lacking. In Australia people aren’t starving, at least, but they are lacking more and more in key vitamins and minerals. Some turn to supplements to rapidly intake more of what they’re missing, but is that the only way?
Below are some of the best ways you can incorporate restorative, healthy and replenishing vitamin and mineral intake into your life without turning to supplements.
Salts
You may always have assumed that salt was just those white granules we put on food, but as it happens there’s a lot more to it than that. There’s even seeming rivalries between different salt types trying to be crowned the most beneficial for human health when consumed in reasonable quantities.
There’s sea salt vs table salt, magnesium flakes vs epsom salt, pink salt vs Celtic salt…it goes on and on. Some salts are for cooking, some for restorative mineral soaks. At any rate, whether you wish to cook with it or bathe in water enriched by it, high-quality natural salt is an excellent source of numerous minerals. Just remember not to go overboard!
Green, Leafy Vegetables
As the subtitle suggests, those vegetables with the darker green complexion and lots of leaves are the ones you should be filling your plate with to maximise vitamin and mineral intake. One of the most popular examples is spinach, which is incredibly rich in a number of nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, potassium, and iron. To get so much from one vegetable is nothing short of a miracle.
Another great option is kale, which offers much of the same, as well as vitamin B6 and calcium, too. These vegetables are invariably cheap and in plentiful supply, and they go with virtually every type of meal. That makes it easy to integrate them into your daily meals.
More Time Outdoors
We shouldn’t be forgetting the biggest and most abundant natural source of vitamin D, which is the sun. Getting outside for longer periods each day to soak up a little sun and get some fresh air can help prevent a vitamin D deficiency, which is characterised by ongoing fatigue, frequent feelings of illness or frequent infections, pain in the back and bones, depression and an impaired ability for the body to heal itself.
Outdoors time will see you increase your vitamin D intake as the body produces it when in contact with sunlight. On top of that, boost your vitamin D levels with some ricotta cheese, oily fish, egg yolks, or mushrooms.
Fresh Fruit
Making fresh fruit your go-to snack will see you more able to maintain a good level of vitamins and other nutrients without having to turn to supplements. Apples, bananas, and oranges are a good start, offering numerous vitamins that the body needs while also being easy to carry in your work bag without worry of damaging them or the contents of your bag. They’ll happily sit on your desk or in the fridge for a couple of hours until your morning or afternoon snack time.
Mineral Water
You might have thought of mineral water as a bit of a hoax in the past, but there are some very beneficial minerals in that water that can do you the world of good and once again prevent you from needing supplements. For instance, high-quality mineral water is a great source of calcium carbonate, magnesium sulphate, potassium, and sodium sulphate.
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