Introduction

One thing we often hear is that we should focus on getting all of our micronutrients (vitamins & minerals) from food over supplementation. But is this truly the case? In my experience, instead of focusing on food only, we should reframe our perspective to food first. This short article will unpack this concept, drawing on my own experience.

Food First Approach

 Some people may disagree with this. We should always have a food first approach, not necessarily a food only approach. For me, the answer is smart, targeted supplementation on top of a food first approach. 

Some nutrients are really difficult to obtain from the diet. The harder you train, the requirements for certain nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, B vitamins, sodium, potassium and more all increase.

To actually derive the required amounts of these micronutrients from food alone can be challenging. Now, I've actually tracked a day's intake to try and hit 100 percent of the RDA in these vitamins and minerals. And if you can take control of every single meal, and have real variety in your diet, you can get close. 

But, this isn't practical for most of the population. Life gets in the way, busy with work, we're out, don't take control of all of our food choices.

This is why at Marchon Supplements, we have a really condensed range of supplements because we feel that these are the things that people require to support a food first approach. 

It's really challenging to solely get everything that you require to live a high performance life from food alone. If you want to support your daily intake of macro and micronutrients, then make sure you check out our range of protein powders, such as micellar casein, whey protein powder and plant protein. 

Conclusion

To conclude, whilst emphasising a food first approach is best for your diet, the reality of achieving all your necessary micronutrients solely through food may be challenging, specifically for those who train a lot, or may have specific nutritional needs. Having a smart and targeted supplement protocol can complement your balanced diet, ensuring that you have an adequate intake of vitamins, minerals and macronutrients. We always advocate a comprehensive approach to nutrition which prioritises food, whilst also acknowledging the practicality and benefits of supplementation to support your performance and health.