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According to recent research, 46 per cent of Britons are using supplements to boost their health. <\/p>\n
At the same time, nearly two-thirds of the population are failing to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, according to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. <\/p>\n
To make matters worse, a study by Imperial College London released in February recommended that people should now try and hit ten. <\/p>\n
All of this suggests that many people in the UK arent hitting their RDAs of nutrients. <\/p>\n
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The amount of nutrients our body needs is sometimes, or a lot of the time, difficult to obtain from food.\" <\/p>\n
Natalie Viklund <\/p>\n
But if we are to improve, does it really matter where we get these nutrients from? <\/p>\n
Natalie Viklund, nutrition and kinesiology expert and co-founder of Aevi wellness, said: The amount of nutrients our body needs is sometimes, or a lot of the time, difficult to obtain from food, especially in the processed food that makes up the majority of the standard British diet today. <\/p>\n
I almost always recommend supplements to be taken for a limited time. Limited being a key word here, as when prescribed and taken properly, they should heal, uplift and do their intended work in just a few months.\" <\/p>\n
Wiklund recommends that once youve used supplements to top up, real food is what you should prioritise next. <\/p>\n
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A-Z of vitamins and minerals <\/p>\n
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She added: Whats important to remember about supplements is that they should never replace or 'supplement' a healthy balanced diet. <\/p>\n
Instead they should simply 'boost' or 'compliment' what is already a substantial intake of nutrients through the foods we are eating.\" <\/p>\n
While its best get nutrients from a variety of different food sources, if you are trying to hit your RDAs from actual food, this is what your plate might look like. <\/p>\n
Magnesium: four servings of spinach <\/p>\n
Essential for healthy muscles, bones and helping you sleep. <\/p>\n
The RDA for men in the UK is 300mg and for women its 270mg. <\/p>\n
Thats roughly 606g per day of of green leafy vegetables, meaning just over two 260g bags of spinach leaves or four servings. <\/p>\n
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Potassium: six bananas <\/p>\n
Its great for lowering your blood pressure. <\/p>\n
However, the UKs RDA is 3,500mg, which equates to 744g of bananas or just over six of average size. <\/p>\n
Zinc: one and a half servings of steak <\/p>\n
It helps keeps your immune system healthy, and even helps fight cancer. <\/p>\n
In the UK the RDA is 5.5-9.5mg for men and 4-7mg for women. <\/p>\n
For the upper scale for men, thats 161g of steak, or one and a half portions. <\/p>\n
Calcium: six handfuls <\/p>\n
Its important for healthy teeth and bones. <\/p>\n
The UKs recommended RDA is 700mg for adults, which is the same as 198g of almonds or six generous handfuls. <\/p>\n
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Food or supplements? THIS is how much you need to eat to get your RDA of nutrients - Express.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GETTY According to recent research, 46 per cent of Britons are using supplements to boost their health. At the same time, nearly two-thirds of the population are failing to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, according to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. To make matters worse, a study by Imperial College London released in February recommended that people should now try and hit ten. Continue reading