Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

why chewable vitamins?



Recommended Posts

I already take a lot of medication that is swallowed due to unrelated health problems and have not had any intolerance's. So can I get Vitamins to swallow now too?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told to keep taking chewable to get the maximum absorption.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

chewable Vitamin C can be bad for your teeth...so that's a no no. I don't know about the "better absorption" thing. I'd have to do some research on that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

chewable Vitamin C can be bad for your teeth...so that's a no no. I don't know about the "better absorption" thing. I'd have to do some research on that.

I was wondering about it too. It's just what I was told. Let me know if you find anything. I would rather take pills.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The majority of nutrient/vitamin absorption occurs in the intestines so it doesn't matter be it chewable or pill form. I'm a big 34 year old kiddo trapped in an adult altered body so I stick to chewables. They've worked for me thus far on my labs, I take Celebrate Vitamins so it's not like I'm chowing down on kid's Vitamins. I've always taken high quality vitamins formulated for adults, and have never been led astray. As long as you taking the recommended value of vitamins, and ensuring that your other medications will not effect the absorption, then pill form of vitamins are just fine. My husband thinks it's absurd that I still use chewables, but it's what works for me. I figure if I'm going to take vitamins, I might as well enjoy it. I have zero issue swallowing pills, I don't gag, nothing gets caught, I'm just lazy and like my chewables. Plus, I have found the perfect combination of a multi with Iron and a Calcium citrate that I can work with and give me everything I need in just 4 chewables per day. Not to shabby considering my other regimen had me taking 8 per day.

Here is a great little reference diagram that shows where all the various "stuff" is actually absorbed. It's for RNY patients since they have malabsorption, BUT, it's a great reference for all of us. We don't have to worry about malabsorption with the exception of B12 so make sure you are supplementing B12 either sublingually or injectable.

RNY-Nutrient-Absorption-897x1024.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tiff- Where can you get the type of Vitamins that you take? My NUT told me to get the kids chewable ones and I have been taking Flinstones and I HATE them. I stopped taking them for a while because I just couldn't stand the taste. I tried the One-a-Day pills, but I threw up after, probably because it was on an empty stomach.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I take Multivitamin pill, it's called Complete Ultra Women's from Walmart's own brand. I feel nauseous if I take it in the morning on an empty stomach so I usually take it at night with no problems.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You can find decent Vitamins at any health food store, or places which carry a decent selection of "natural" and/or organic products. Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Fred Meyer, etc. A friend of mine has a store in Belfair, WA called Dragoun's Leir which is part gift shop part supplement and natural lifestyle store. Nancy would probably be more than happy to ship things to you. She's been a nurse for a bazillion years and has a ton of knowledge about these things. You could probably contact her and she could give you an idea of what you need.

NOW is a good brand. Try to stay away from Wal Mart, Safeway, Kroger, etc brands. They typically do not have the same quality of ingredients. Also, remember, that just because a pill says you get 100% of (example) Vitamin B, you will not actually absorb that much. You don't need to really, but just be aware that you will not. How much you absorb has to do with the quality of the product, as well as your digestive system and other stuff.

As far as taking childrens vitamins...think about it. Why are Seniors supposed to take a "senior" formula and why are pregnant women supposed to take a "pregnancy" formula? It is because they have different needs. Just try to get an idea of what you need, then look at the ingredients, how much are there and where they come from (as a vegetarian, finding vegetarian formulas can be tricky for me). Some sources are not as good as others.

Okay...about to nod off...night night all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tiff- Where can you get the type of Vitamins that you take? My NUT told me to get the kids chewable ones and I have been taking Flinstones and I HATE them. I stopped taking them for a while because I just couldn't stand the taste. I tried the One-a-Day pills, but I threw up after, probably because it was on an empty stomach.

Celebratevitamins.com

this is the Multivitamin I am on currently:

https://www.celebratevitamins.com/shop/multivitamin/multi-complete.html

Here's the calcium citrate plus 500

https://www.celebratevitamins.com/shop/calcium/calcium-plus-500.html

Since the multi has Iron, I can't take it within 2 hours of the Calcium since Iron impedes the absorption of calcium. So, I either take 1 calcium or 1 multi in the morning, repeat around lunch, then before dinner I take the opposite of one that I took in the morning, and then before bed I take another one. I only need 1000mg of calcium citrate per day.

You can email Celebrate, and tell them you had VSG, they will send you samples of the Vitamins. I like the Berries and Cream and the Cherry Tart in the Calcium Citrate Plus 500, and the Forest berry is the only flavor in the Multi, and it's yummy.

I will say these chewables are different than other chewables I've used. When I chew them up, they start dissolving so there isn't a lot of crud stuck in your teeth, or any lingering after taste. They are chewable so there is some texture, but not like Tums or too chalky. I do like the little chewy Calcet Creamy Bites, but at 35-40 calories and 5-7grams of carbs per chewy creamy bite, that's 80 calories, and up to 14grams of carbs because we need at least 2 of them per day. So, they were not worth it to me in the losing stage.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      Just been waiting until time for my consult with my bariatric surgeon. It's scheduled for Jan 9th. Turns out I won't actually be seeing him. Apparently it'll be with his P.A.             Not sure what to expect. I thought this is where the surgeon would discuss the best surgery option for me. For years I had my heart set on the sleeve, but I've read so many people have issues with reflux - even if they've never had it before - that they've had to be revised to the bypass. I already deal with GERD & take 40 mg of Omeprazole daily, so I started studying about bypass and honestly, it seems like it might be the better choice for me. How can we discuss surgery options if the surgeon is not there?
      What happened at your first consult? Trying to get an idea of what to expect, or maybe I should say, what NOT to expect.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • rinabobina

      I would like to know what questions you wish you had asked prior to your duodenal switch surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×