Happy FRIDAY! 
I’m so happy that the weekend is just about here! My sister’s Mexican-themed bridal shower is tomorrow afternoon! I seriously cannot wait! 
After a quickie 30-minute workout this morning, I was craving something cold. A nice, cool smoothie was an easy decision.
In the mix:
- Banana
- Blueberries
- Packed of Amazing Meal Original Blend
- Vanilla soy milk
- Ice
With my smoothie, I added a protein-packed Stonyfield Oikos Greek yogurt for some staying power and a glass of iced coffee for some much-needed Friday energy.
Calcium + Vitamin D
As you, I take a multivitamin most days of the week. (I often forget to take it! 
) Coupled with a healthy diet, I thought I as covering all of the nutritional bases, including getting enough Calcium and Vitamin D in my diet. However, after speaking with my RD friend, Janel Ovrut, I realized that I needed to step-it-up in the Calcium + Vitamin D department.
So, yesterday afternoon, I went to the Vitamin Shoppe to stock-up on Calcium with Vitamin D. This huge bottle was surprisingly cheap– just $9!
I am not an expert on dietary supplements. I just wanted to bring attention to this topic because some of you might be missing out on this essential combination. If you have specific questions, please contact your doctor or a Registered Dietitian.
Here are some interesting articles about Calcium and Vitamin D:
- Active Young Women Need Calcium, Vitamin D
- D Is for Defense: Why Vitamin D Is the Ultimate Super Vitamin
- In addition to Vitamin D, healthy bones also require Vitamin K and Potassium
- Important Info About the Vitamin D and Calcium Connection
- How to Get Vitamin D in Your Diet
Question of the Day
Do you take dietary supplements/vitamins? If so, which ones?
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Liquid Breakfast, yeah!
I take a MV sometimes… not often enough, and I take a Bcomplex because it helps me deal with stress/migraines… I really should take Cal/D but I can barely remember to take the ones I do take! Any tips on remembering to take your vitamins?
I take a multi-v, calcium & vit d (plus magnesium) supplement and a folic acid supplement (since I plan to have children in the next couple of years). Great post!
FYI – a lot of the “chewy” calcium supplements have partially hydrogenated oils, so watch out!
The shake I have in the AM had pretty much all the vitamins I need…plus flax! I love it, It’s protein and a multi all in one
That’s great that you can eat the plain yogurt plain! I always have to add something to it.
I had that EXACT smoothie this morning! It was mighty tasty.
I don’t take any vitamins…whoops. I like to think I get what I need from the food I eat, but I actually don’t think pizza has as many vitamins as I like to pretend it does.
Can’t wait for the recap of the bridal shower! I love seeing parties…there’s always so much creativity!
It’s cookie Friday! Yay!
I take fish oil, a multi, and I’m working though a pack of Adora…I ususally take one of those a day, but I’m going to try to switch to a pill made of calcium citrate because I think my tummy does not like calcium carbonate. I also head that D3 is important to seek out, rather than D2. I haven’t been tested, but I think living in San Diego helps me get some Vitamin D from the sun, but I am pretty dilligent with sunscreen so it’s always good to supplement “just in case,” I say!
A few times a week I’ll take a multi-v and glucosamine chondroitin, which is thought to help rebuild cartilage and relieve joint pain. I’m a runner, so I’m always concerned about my knees and hips.
I don’t take supplements. However, I eat a clif z-bar almost every day which is fortified with 30% of my calcium, 10% iron, and a lot else. Also, I’ll occasionally have a vitatop as a special dessert(way too expensive to have every day) but those are loaded with nutrients as well
I have always taken a multi-vitamin, too. After reading so many things about the importance of Vitamin D, I added it to my daily routine as well. Here is a post I wrote about it. http://modernation.wordpress.com/2009/07/12/seeing-the-light-vitamin-d/
Since a lack of the vitamin may be the primary culprit in depression, heart disease, pregnancy problems, birth defects, skin and other cancers, and multiple sclerosis – I thought it couldn’t hurt to add it!
The only supplement I take is calcium, but my mom takes vitamin D because she’s deficient in it. I personally do not believe in taking many vitamins because, quite frankly, your body urinates out excess ones anyway.
I agree with Ada in most cases that supplements are often not necessary. A nutrition sciences teacher once said, “Americans have the most expensive pee in the world” because we pee out so many extra vitamins. But 77% of Americans are vitamin D deficient because it is not found in many food sources and it is nearly impossible for our bodies to produce enough of it. Vitamin D is fat-soluble, which means you won’t pee out the excess as you would water-soluble vitamins like C. Normally this puts you at risk for toxicity, but toxicity is nearly impossible with Vitamin D.
Obviously, it is good to listen to your body and your doctor and do what is right for you.
WOW! The Vitamin Shoppe’s sales for Vitamin D and Calcium must be going through the roof right now
I take a multivitamin (one-a-day) everyday but now I think I need to get me some D and Cal. And I’m with Sarah, I’m taking a multivitamin with folic acid b/c that’s really important if you plan on having kiddies in the near future. Thanks for the great post, Tina!
Anon- I’m NOT wrong. I have read before in mags like Health and Self in the little boxes that multivitamins are a waste of dough of you’re eating properly. That is WHY I commented.
That being said I do take glucosamine chondroitin every day for my joints. And if you think you need to grab a some more vitamin D+ Calcium, that’s def understandable. BUT a multivitamin IS a waste of money when you’re eating properly.
i take my calcium in candy form….i’m such a child
Liquid breakfast… I had one this morning too.
you should try
1 and 1/5 frozen bananas
skim plus or soymilk
a handful of walnuts
lots of cinnamon… tastes like banana bread (but colder!)
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