Boost your diet with vitamins and supplements

Working late, skipping meals and feeling too tired to cook is all too common. ‘If you know you’re not always getting the right nutrients from your food – you may need to supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals,’ says Charlotte Fraser, Naturopathic Nutritional Consultant. ‘Supplementation might also be advisable if you subject yourself to stress, sugar, processed foods, alcohol or cigarettes – all of which leach nutrients from the body.’

Spirulina is another great way to get your quota of vitamins and minerals. This blue-green algae contains around 96 essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements. You should notice an improvement in energy levels in as little as three to five days.

Wheatgrass juice is made from a plant exceptionally high in nutrients. Just one ounce of wheatgrass juice is equivalent to eating two and a half pounds of fresh, leafy green vegetables, which explains its current popularity as a “super drink” in juice bars everywhere. For variety, you can blend it with carrot, celery, parsley and spinach juices.

Noni from the morinda citrofolia plant, is a “superfood” from Hawaii. It helps balance blood sugar levels, aids digestion and improves immune function.

Co-enzyme Q10 occurs naturally in the body’s cells. It is essential for producing energy, without it cells cannot process oxygen. It improves stamina, endurance, muscle strength and acts as an antioxidant.

Ginseng is a herbal supplement that can help to improve vitality and energy when you are feeling run down. Take it as a tonic, but for no longer than a month.

Natural ‘live’ bio-yoghurt with chopped banana makes a very nutritious snack. The yoghurt provides the gut with healthy bacteria to help improve digestion and bowel function making you feel more energetic.