The Supplements I Take & Why

As a dietitian and very busy mom of two, there are a few nutrition supplements that have made their way into my daily wellness routine. I’ve taken Herbaland gummies for years, which is why I jumped at the chance to create my very own box featuring my favourite Herbaland supplements.  There are a few things I look for when choosing supplements to round out my personal nutrition game, which I will cover below along with a summary of the top 3 supplements I take and why! 

Where Do Supplements Fit in? 

First, it is important to remember that supplements cannot in any way replace a healthful well-balanced diet. If anyone ever tells you differently you should run, not walk, in the other direction! A food-first and plant-centered approach to nutrition has always been my priority, and supplements offer a way to fill in the gaps and elevate the intake of hard-to-get nutrients based on diet alone. Finding a trusted source for supplements is important, as they are not all created equal. And as someone who forgets nearly everything, I can honestly say that my supplements aren’t one of them (they taste so good!). 

It is important to remember to speak with your healthcare provider regarding nutrition supplementation should you have any concerns: the information included here should never substitute for qualified personalized healthcare advice. 

My Basic 3 Supplements 

I worked with Herbaland to bring you some of my favourite gummies all wrapped up in one box to make things simple, including the Women’s Multi, Sweet Dreams and Iron Plus. You can use code FRAICHE for 20% off this limited-edition curated box. Here’s why I chose these three: 

Sweet Dreams  

Sleep is pretty important. In fact, I think that it is the most critical element of wellness – and it is sadly something that I haven’t always prioritized until now.  Burning the candle at both ends was something I have done for years, often getting half the sleep my body really required for proper rest and repair.  I’m proud to say that sleep is my biggest health priority right now! 

Sweet Dream Gummies contain a blend of sleep-aid and relaxation-promoting herbs and essential nutrients such as L-theanine, melatonin, lemon balm, and vitamin B6. This unique blend is designed to help you to fall asleep faster, improve your sleep quality and support resetting your sleep-wake cycle.  Just like with nutrition, good sleep hygiene has to be practiced in tandem, including no screen time prior to bed, sleeping in a cool dark room, and waking up and going to bed at the same time each day to name a few.  

Melatonin, one of the ingredients in the Sweet Dreams supplement, is a hormone naturally produced by the body and is needed for regulating the sleep/wake cycle. It is particularly useful when your sleep pattern has been thrown off, such as travelling through different time zones. Melatonin also functions as an antioxidant that protects cells against free-radical damage while helping you get those restorative zzz’s. 

Women’s Multi  

I take a multi vitamin as a form of nutrition insurance. I eat really well, but it is comforting to know that I have a buffer of extra nutrients to help my body do its best through my busy weeks.  I ask a lot of it after all!  

The Herbaland Women’s Multi is a professionally formulated multivitamin containing 15 vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support good health, immune function, and healthy bones for women.  Vitamin B6, for instance, is important for normal brain development and for keeping the nervous and immune systems healthy. It may help to support mood regulation, promote brain health, and may be useful in treating PMS symptoms. Folate is important in red blood cell formation, for healthy cell growth and function, and supports pregnancy by assisting in the growth and development of unborn babies. Folate also boosts energy through metabolizing carbohydrates. Methylated folate, which is used in the Women’s Multi, is the most active and natural form of folate. 

Iron Plus Gummies  

I have teetered on the lower end of the scale as far as iron goes, and look for iron-rich foods to help me meet my daily needs.   

Iron has many functions in the body, including a role in gastrointestinal processes, energy regulation, immune system, and the regulation of body temperature. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles.  

The Iron Plus gummies contain a fortified blend of essential vitamins and minerals that offer a delicious way to help reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia, boost red blood cell formation, and support energy metabolism in the body.  This particular supplement also contains biotin, which plays a key role in the health of skin and hair. Please speak with a healthcare professional about iron deficiency and its treatment should this be a health concern for you. 

About Herbaland  

If you don’t know about Herbaland, they are a Canadian company based out of Richmond BC, that specialize in vegan, inclusive, gluten free, and non-GMO supplement gummies. They make delicious gummy supplements for kids, adults and athletes. 

Their gummies are created with the earth’s health in mind; they use plant-based ingredients and recently launched new compostable packaging – two thumbs up, I wish more companies were like this!  You can learn more about Herbaland and shop their supplements HERE.