Vitamins And Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that our body needs to work properly. Sometimes people need to supplement their diet with added vitamins and minerals. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may also want to consider taking a vitamin D supplement.
Pregnant women are entitled to free healthy start vitamins in Scotland, containing Folic acid, Vitamin D and Vitamin C. If you would like to find out more talk to your GP or other health professional. Vitamins are divided into two groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble. We don’t need to eat food containing fat-soluble vitamins every day because our body can store them.
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins come from food like fruit, vegetables, milk, dairy and grains. They can be destroyed by heat or exposure to air.
Steaming or grilling, as well as using cooking water to add flavour to soups and stews are good ways to preserve water-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins aren’t stored in the body so we need to eat them often. If we take in more than we need then we get rid of any extra through our urine.
Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and the B vitamins:
thiamin (vitamin B1)
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
niacin (vitamin B3)
vitamin B6
folic acid (vitamin B9)
vitamin B12.
What Foods Contain Minerals?
Minerals are found in foods like cereals, bread, meat, fish, milk, dairy, nuts, fruit (especially dried fruit) and vegetables. For example, we need more calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride than we do iron, zinc, iodine, selenium and copper.
Vitamins
Sometimes people need to supplement their diet with added vitamins and minerals.
For example, women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant should take folic acid. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may also want to consider taking a vitamin D supplement. Covid-19 outbreak
We have published advice on the intake of vitamin D during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fat-soluble vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins are found in animal products and foods that contain fat, like milk, butter, vegetable oils, eggs, liver and oily fish. It can also be harmful to have a lot more of these types of vitamins than we need. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble vitamins.
Steaming or grilling, as well as using cooking water to add flavour to soups and stews are good ways to preserve water-soluble vitamins. If we take in more than we need then we get rid of any extra through our urine. Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and the B vitamins:
thiamin (vitamin B1)
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
niacin (vitamin B3)
vitamin B6
folic acid (vitamin B9)
vitamin B12.
For example, we need more calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride than we do iron, zinc, iodine, selenium and copper.
Things To Consider
Most nutrient-rich foods are found in the perimeter (outer circle) of the grocery store. Resources
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Eat Right, Tips for Choosing a Nutrient-rich Diet
U.S. Department of Agriculture, ChooseMyPlate.gov: Start Simple With MyPlate.
1. Nuts And Seeds
Nts that are found in the earth and food and essential to life. For example, minerals are needed for heart and brain function, as well as the production of hormones and enzymes (1). Minerals are divided into two categories based on how much the human body needs.
Minerals can be found in a variety of foods, but some foods are especially abundant in these important nutrients. Here are 16 foods that are rich in minerals. Whole nuts and seeds make a convenient, nutrient-dense snack, while nut and seed butters can be incorporated into smoothies and oatmeal or paired with fresh fruit or vegetables.