Vitamins/supplements for vegans

[WestleyAndButtockUp]

I'm actually pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to be vegan in the UK. I don't particularly feel I'm missing anything (perhaps butter and cheese). But maybe I am, and I don't realise. I don't plan meals for balance.

Should I be taking a multivitamin regularly?

If so, which one/which brand?

I take EFA's (essential fatty acids) like evening primrose oil and linseeds , but they're in my smoothies rather than a specific supplement. I do take Udo's Choice which is a digestive and I sleep like a log after taking it at night. It's brilliant. (it's mainly betaine).

The above aren't specially because i'm a demi vegan though! There's all the B vits in marmite or similar.

B12 for definite! You won't eat enough marmite to get an adequate amount... And probably a vegan DHA/EPA one for your omega 3. Otherwise you don't need any providing you get outside plenty (vit D) and don't have heavy periods or are anaemic (iron) and have a good balanced diet with lots of green veggies and a selection of fruit/veggies/grains/seeds

Thanks! What does DHA stand for?

It stands for Docosahexaenoic acid. " Which is one of the omega 3 family of very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. It can be obtained from fish oils in the diet or created in the body from alpha-linoleic acid" (quote from Liz Earle's New Vital Oils) EPA is similar.

Some people say that one can get them from linseed and and or Evening primrose oils. Others say not.

Iodine- I used iodised salt but sea vegetables are also a good dietary source, otherwise you should supplement.

Yes I love those sheets of nori seaweed, there's so many things you can do with them and they last forever!