Vitamins
Completion requirements
Vitamins
Myth: All athletes should take daily multi-vitamins.
Are vitamin supplements necessary for athletes?
Generally, the answer to this question is NO. High doses of individual vitamin and/or mineral supplements are not recommended. Supplements are not food replacements. Athletes (and everyone!) should eat a variety of foods from the Canada Food Guide to obtain all essential vitamins and minerals.
The strong colours of many fruits and vegetables are signs of various vitamins. Aim to fill your plate each day with a variety of colours, including the following examples:
Generally, the answer to this question is NO. High doses of individual vitamin and/or mineral supplements are not recommended. Supplements are not food replacements. Athletes (and everyone!) should eat a variety of foods from the Canada Food Guide to obtain all essential vitamins and minerals.
The strong colours of many fruits and vegetables are signs of various vitamins. Aim to fill your plate each day with a variety of colours, including the following examples:
- White - cauliflowers, bananas, onions, potatoes
- Green - broccoli, lettuce, green apples, grapes
- Blue/purple - blueberries, plums, purple grapes, raisins
- Orange/yellow - carrots, apricots, peaches, oranges, cantaloupe, and mangoes
- Red - tomatoes, watermelon, cherries, berries, red apples, red peppers.
In most cases, when a body has enough of a vitamin or mineral, the body will not 'store' the excess. Supplements of vitamins or minerals that the body does not need pass through the body. In other
words, you might be producing expensive urine!
Reminder: Some vitamin and mineral supplements are recommended for all people regardless of whether they are athletes:
- Vitamin D
- Calcium (especially for women)