When you’re exploring different foods and learning about the many benefits of balanced meals, it’s easy to get carried away with portioning and identifying the macronutrients. As important as they are, it’s critical to pay attention to micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, as they also have a “macro” job. Vitamins and minerals support bodily functions, like metabolic processes, that keep us healthy.

As part of NOVA Online’s Nutrition series, we worked with a community partner to present a Vitamins and Minerals Nutrition workshop. The program provided an overview of the following: vitamins and minerals, dietary recommended intakes (DRI’s), essential types of vitamins and minerals, and supplement safety.

• Vitamins are organic substances found in food that can either be fat-soluble or water-soluble. Minerals are inorganic substances found in soil and water that can be absorbed and/or consumed by plants and animals.
• Dietary Recommended Intakes (DRI’s) is a set of reference values for nutrients. Find information about DRI’s on the National Institutes of Health’s website.
• The top six vitamins and minerals you should know include Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, and Zinc.
• Although supplements are available, it’s advised to use food as your primary source of vitamins and minerals. If you are taking supplements, it’s encouraged to consult with your healthcare provider first and to always look for third-party verification on the supplement’s label.

Interested in learning more? Be sure to enroll in the Virtual Student Union to stay up to date on upcoming programs!