Don’t forget to pack your supplements

Vegetarian or vegan? The supplements to have in your bag when you’re travelling…

In recent years more and more people have chosen to reduce the amount of meat and/or fish they eat (flexitarians); avoid it completely (vegetarians); or do not consume any animal products (vegans). Among others, health is one of the big factors behind this shift.

Products from animals are a source of nutrients that can be difficult to get from plant-based food; such as vitamins B12 and D, zinc, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. Even with real variety, it’s virtually impossible for vegans to enjoy a complete diet without taking on fortified foods and/or nutritional supplements. The difficulties are similar if not as extreme, for vegetarians, unless you know what you’re doing in the kitchen and cook healthy organic meals from scratch every day.

Vegetables, fruit, legumes, grains and nuts do contain most of our required nutrition, including fibre, vitamins C and E and some minerals, protein, omega 6 and to some degree omega 3. However many diets don’t contain enough of these foods on a regular basis and if they are not freshly harvested and organic they can be lacking in all nutrition. Diets without animal products usually lack enough saturated fat, B vitamins, omega 3 and iron. B12 and iron are closely linked and have a huge effect on energy, brain fog and anaemia.

Packed with vitamins

If you’re following a vegetarian or vegan diet, then it’s well worth adding food supplements to your list when you’re getting ready to travel. At VitOrtho we’ve developed a multivitamin that’s been specially formulated for vegan diets.

Vegan All-in-1 – This contains essential elements that are rarely found on a menu without animal products. By taking this one a day expertly balanced supplement you can make sure you’re not lacking in these nutrients and keep a balanced diet wherever you are.

Here are some further food supplements that are useful for those on a vegetarian or vegan diet:

B Active Complex – It can be hard to get enough B vitamins if you’re vegetarian or vegan. These types of vitamin are water soluble, which means the body can’t retain them; so it’s important that they’re regularly replenished by a supplement like this.

No-bite bonus – many people say that taking a quality B complex can help prevent mosquitos from biting you: they don’t like the smell!

Vegan All-in-1 – This supplement is useful as you can’t always get a meal that has the nutrients you need when you’re travelling. For example, fast food or processed food loses its nutrients as it’s produced.

Multi-biotic – It’s a good idea to take this two or three weeks before you go away. It will help you build up a good tolerance for different types of food, water and air. You’re much less likely to be affected by these changes if your ‘good’ bacteria are healthy.

Stay balanced home and away

Whether you’re following a flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan diet, it’s a good idea to pay attention to your nutrient intake and important to keep a balanced, healthy diet. Supplements can form part of your daily routine when you’re at home – and be hugely useful when you’re away travelling, visiting and exploring too.