Supplements or Whole Foods: What Does Your Body Really Need?
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In the age of green juices and wellness trends, one health debate keeps bubbling up - should we get all our nutrients from food, or do supplements deserve a spot in our routine? While natural food remains the gold standard, modern-day challenges have complicated the answer.
Supplements can never be a replacement for food
Aman Puri, Founder of Steadfast Nutrition, makes one thing clear - food is irreplaceable. “Supplements can never be a replacement for food,” he states. Packed with fibre, antioxidants, and a whole spectrum of nutrients, food is nature’s complete package.
However, Puri also acknowledges that today’s erratic schedules, poor sleep, processed meals, and stress often lead to gaps in our nutrition. That’s where supplements step in - not as a primary source, but as a backup when food falls short.
Nutrient-Rich Foods Aren’t What They Used to Be
Functional nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, CEO of iThrive, points to a bigger issue - our food simply isn’t what it used to be. “In earlier days, food alone was enough to meet all our vitamin and mineral needs because we used to consume fresh produce grown in mineral-rich soil,” she explains.
But with over-farming, soil depletion, and long food supply chains, even a healthy diet may lack vital nutrients today. This makes supplementation more relevant, especially for commonly deficient vitamins like D, B12, magnesium, and zinc.
Filling the Gaps - But Mindfully
Both experts agree - supplements can be helpful, but only if used correctly. Pradhan advises testing your vitamin levels first, rather than blindly popping pills. “It’s found that a lot of people are deficient in at least one nutrient,” she points out.
Quality matters too. Avoid supplements loaded with artificial additives and always opt for those that are clinically tested. On the flip side, Puri warns against going overboard. Synthetic versions of nutrients can sometimes lead to side effects or long-term health issues if misused.
Food First, Supplements Second
Puri reiterates that a balanced, varied diet should always be your first line of defence. Whole foods offer more than just vitamins - they bring fibre, phytonutrients, and disease-fighting compounds that supplements alone can't match. “Supplements give you a specific nutrient only - and often at a much higher cost,” he says.
Supplements are most useful in cases of medical deficiencies or specific health needs - and should always be taken under expert guidance.
So, What’s the Verdict?
If you're eating well and living mindfully, you might not need supplements at all. But let’s face it - modern life doesn’t always make that easy. A tailored approach, including regular health check-ups and guidance from professionals, can help bridge the gap.
Supplements can never be a replacement for food
Aman Puri, Founder of Steadfast Nutrition, makes one thing clear - food is irreplaceable. “Supplements can never be a replacement for food,” he states. Packed with fibre, antioxidants, and a whole spectrum of nutrients, food is nature’s complete package.
However, Puri also acknowledges that today’s erratic schedules, poor sleep, processed meals, and stress often lead to gaps in our nutrition. That’s where supplements step in - not as a primary source, but as a backup when food falls short.
Nutrient-Rich Foods Aren’t What They Used to Be
Functional nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, CEO of iThrive, points to a bigger issue - our food simply isn’t what it used to be. “In earlier days, food alone was enough to meet all our vitamin and mineral needs because we used to consume fresh produce grown in mineral-rich soil,” she explains.
But with over-farming, soil depletion, and long food supply chains, even a healthy diet may lack vital nutrients today. This makes supplementation more relevant, especially for commonly deficient vitamins like D, B12, magnesium, and zinc.
Filling the Gaps - But Mindfully
Both experts agree - supplements can be helpful, but only if used correctly. Pradhan advises testing your vitamin levels first, rather than blindly popping pills. “It’s found that a lot of people are deficient in at least one nutrient,” she points out.
Quality matters too. Avoid supplements loaded with artificial additives and always opt for those that are clinically tested. On the flip side, Puri warns against going overboard. Synthetic versions of nutrients can sometimes lead to side effects or long-term health issues if misused.
Food First, Supplements Second
Puri reiterates that a balanced, varied diet should always be your first line of defence. Whole foods offer more than just vitamins - they bring fibre, phytonutrients, and disease-fighting compounds that supplements alone can't match. “Supplements give you a specific nutrient only - and often at a much higher cost,” he says.
Supplements are most useful in cases of medical deficiencies or specific health needs - and should always be taken under expert guidance.
So, What’s the Verdict?
If you're eating well and living mindfully, you might not need supplements at all. But let’s face it - modern life doesn’t always make that easy. A tailored approach, including regular health check-ups and guidance from professionals, can help bridge the gap.
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