With so many brands of multivitamins available, it can be tough to know which are the best of the bunch. Who better to ask than nutritionists for their go-to's? Inquire we did, along with getting their thoughts on these popular supplements in general.
On that front, here's the key takeaway: "Vitamin supplements can be beneficial in ensuring that you are meeting your nutrient needs and keeping your body functioning optimally. If possible, consuming 100% of your nutrients needs through food is preferred, as nutrients from whole foods are more efficiently absorbed and utilized," says Kristin Gillespie, MS, RD, LD, nutrition advisor for Exercisewithstyle.com.
Although most of the population meets their nutrient needs through their diet, "some people struggle to meet their needs through food intake alone, especially those adhering to restrictive diets such as a vegetarian/vegan or low-carb diet," says Gillespie, adding, "these individuals may benefit from a supplement."
Before we get into registered dietitian nutritionists' favorite brands of multivitamins, there's one thing you should keep in mind: As Gillespie advises, it's important to read labels on vitamin supplements, as they are not formally regulated like foods are. "Do your research to make sure you're getting a good quality product that meets your needs," she notes. As always, as part of that research, talk to your doc or nutritionist before adding a new supplement to your routine.
Read on for the best multivitamin supplement brands, and for more on how to eat healthy, don't miss 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.
Let's hear it for this wallet-friendly brand that's getting the seal of approval from several nutritionists we tapped. "I'm personally a big fan of Nature Made vitamin supplements. They are affordable, available in a variety of forms, and contain a myriad of vitamins to ensure that you are meeting your nutrient needs," says Gillespie.
"Additionally, most of their vitamin products are USP Verified, meaning that they meet stringent criteria outlined by the US Pharmacopeia, an organization that sets standards for foods and supplements," she adds.
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Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT & Tammy Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT, The Nutrition Twins, founders of 21-Day Body Reboot, members of the Eat This, Not That! Medical Expert Board, and paid partners with Nature Made, zoom in specifically on this multivitamin for females: "We love that Nature's Made Multi for Her carries the USP verified mark, which means it meets strict third-party requirements for quality ingredients, potency and good manufacturing practices. It was the first supplement brand that we knew we could trust, which is the most important thing when it comes to supplements," they say.
"Depending on whether you prefer soft gels or tablets, you'll get 22-23 key nutrients that provide daily nutritional support and help fill nutrient gaps. The tablet and the soft gels provide 125% of vitamin D3, a more absorbable form of vitamin D, a nutrient where many women's diets fall short," they continue, noting that they also really appreciate that it's gluten-free with no added colors or artificial flavors.
One capsule Cara Harbstreet, MS, RD, LD of Street Smart Nutrition and the author of Healthy Eating for Life: An Intuitive Eating Workbook to Stop Dieting Forever thinks is worth some positive attention is Klean Athlete Multivitamin:
"This formula is a solid choice for athletes and active adults, particularly those who want to cover potential gaps in their nutrition with bioavailable forms of essential vitamins and minerals. The multivitamin is NSF-certified for sport, meaning that it is verified to be free from banned substances," says Harbstreet.
"This particular formula may be better suited for male athletes than female or youth athletes because it does not contain iron (so an additional iron supplement may be necessary if recommended by a health and nutrition professional)."
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Kylene Bogden, MS, RDN, CSSD, IFNCP, founder of fwdfuel.com, who is also a paid wellness Advisor for Love Wellness, chimes in with what she loves about this phenomenal collection of multivitamins: "Baby Love Prenatal Multivitamin, Daily Love Multivitamin, and Whole Love Multivitamin are excellent daily multivitamins depending on your unique needs. These multis have been formulated based on evidence, and they do not contain any harmful or inflammatory ingredients or preservatives," she says.
"The best part of all is that each multi contains a nutrient profile specifically targeted to tackle the symptoms that come with the territory. For example, nausea and fatigue with pregnancy, sugar cravings, immune health and stress for the average woman and hot flashes, bone health, and moodiness for menopausal women."
Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, a plant-based registered dietitian and owner of Plant-Based Eats in Stamford, CT says, "I'm really a fan of the O.N.E. Multivitamin from Pure Encapsulations. Not only is the product made with vegetarian, gluten-free, and hypoallergenic ingredients, you're getting quality nutrients, such as methylated forms of B vitamins that your body is likely to better absorb."
Echoing her, The Nutrition Twins add, "these easy-to-swallow capsules are gluten-free, vegetarian and non-GMO and unlike most multivitamin formulas, the B vitamins like B12, folate, and B6 are in the activated, methylated form, since 30% of the population, most of them unknowingly, are unable to metabolize and utilize the unmethylated B vitamins."
At only $8.88 for a 60-day supply, these affordable vitamins are the go-to recommendation of Harbstreet, who's also a paid partner for Health by Habit. "This well-rounded women's specific multivitamin formula is among the most affordable and easily accessed options in the category, now available in over 4,000 Walmart stores nationwide as well as online," she says.
"The women's multivitamin contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals, as well as an antioxidant blend to support general health & wellness for adult women," she continues, adding that there is also a men's specific formula in this product line.
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"This multivitamin is formulated to provide a strong and complete base of nutrients for anyone looking to stay healthy and round out their diet. It provides key vitamins and minerals in levels that correspond to a diverse, nutrient-dense diet, using ingredients sourced in their bioidentical forms (a.k.a. in their freshest form)," comments Jenna Stangland, MS, RDN, team dietitian for Minnesota Wild.
As Stangland, who has a partnership with Momentous, also points out, this chewable, NSF-certified vitamin provides a variety of phytonutrients with proven health benefits such as lutein, resveratrol, and broccoli seed.
While not a traditional multivitamin, Thorne B Complex—which contains eight B vitamins—is kind of like a multivitamin of B vitamins. If your doc or nutritionist recommends a B supplement for you, it doesn't get much better than this option from Thorne with eight B vitamins plus choline. "Each B vitamin plays a different role in creating energy and forming red blood cells. Because B vitamins are water-soluble, the body cannot store them, so we must get our daily needs from food and supplementation," says Stangland.
"If you are a person experiencing a lot of stress, a B vitamin supplement is a must! I recommend this B complex by Thorne because it has a higher concentration of vitamin B5: a vitamin that helps manage stress and supports the adrenal gland," says Stangland.
"An important note to look for in B vitamins is finding a methylated B vitamin like what Thorne has, as this is the more bioavailable form of the vitamin."
Of course, it's best to get your B vitamins through food, but some groups like vegans or vegetarians, older adults, and those with medical conditions may find taking a B vitamin necessary.
"There are certain protein powders out there that can act as multivitamins since they contain the same vitamins and minerals you would find in traditional pill form," offers Mackenzie Burgess, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist, recipe developer at Cheerful Choices, and ambassador for Designer Protein.
"One of my favorites is Designer Protein Powder because it packs in over 20 grams of protein per serving along with 23 essential vitamins and minerals. This powder contains 30% of the recommended daily value for these vitamins and minerals, making it the perfect powder to supplement your diet and help fill in smaller nutritional gaps," she continues, noting that consumers should be sure to pair these powders with a carbohydrate source like a banana or energy bites to provide long-lasting energy.
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If gummy vitamins are your go-to, consider these: "They are a first of its kind, made solely from organic whole fruits and vegetables. Each gummy provides 21 key vitamins and minerals that are designed to support immunity, brain health, and energy. They are organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, and made without any synthetic fillers or flavors that are often found in gummies," says Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, registered dietitian, and author of The Better Period Food Solution, who has a paid sponsorship with the company. With lines for toddlers, kids, and adults, this whole food vitamin offers products for a variety of age groups.
Gillespie also gives these supplements her stamp of approval. "They are a little more costly than Nature Made, but are made using sustainable and natural ingredients. They do not contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives," she says.
"Similar to Nature Made, Smarty Pants makes a variety of vitamin products, including an adult multivitamin (for both men and women) and a prenatal vitamin. They contain a variety of nutrients that are tailored to meet the needs of the target buyer (the prenatal, for example, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and folate, which are both good for fetal development)," she adds, noting they also offer different forms, including pills and gummies.
Another great choice for gummies enthusiasts. "These are made without synthetic ingredients, artificial coloring, or flavoring. They are made from extracts and powders from over 30 organic fruits, veggies, and herbs, and contain no added sugars," Beckerman says. If you're pleased with this multi, check out the full mykind Organics line, which offers elderberry immune gummies, turmeric supplements, golden milk, and more.
Read More: 10 Best Protein Powders for Women, According to Dietitians
Gorin likes to recommend these multis to pregnant women, for their many standout nutrition facts. "For one, it contains a type of iron that is non-constipating. It also contains probiotics to aid digestion, as well as choline, a nutrient that we know is important for the health of a developing baby," she says, adding that they do not contain DHA and EPA omega-3s, so you will have to take a separate supplement for this.
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