All in one supplements are a phenomenon which have struck the markets in recent years with ferocious popularity! Many supplements claim to truly be a jack of all trades, providing you with all of the essential nutrients the body needs in just one product. This sounds too good to be true right? Well perhaps it is. There is a great deal of skepticism surrounding this topic, and we're going to take this opportunity to get to the bottom of the debate, and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of whether these supplements can truly be a beneficial addition to, or even replacement of, your current balanced diet.
First of all let's look at what these supplements are offering. A good all-in-one supplement such as a meal replacement bar or shake, should be providing you with all of the macro-nutrients, protein, carbohydrates and fats, in good proportion from a healthy source, as well as micro-nutrients such as essential vitamins and minerals. Gaining all of these nutrients from a balanced diet is not extensively difficult, however it would require the use of multiple sources, ie meats, vegetables, fruits, breads and more, to accomplish the appropriate consumption of each in good proportion. Therefore one great benefit of these all in one supplements is that, for those who lack the time or knowledge to assess their nutritional balance themselves, they can achieve a healthy balance from an all in one supplement which has been calculated for them. Further, it can be difficult to get all of the essential vitamins and minerals from your diet, and so taking an all in one multi-vitamin or other, can help you to ensure your body is getting all that it needs.
A large disadvantage of these supplements however, could be the price. Certainly, purchasing high-quality multi vitamins and complete macro-supplements can be tough on your wallet, when compared to going down to your local Asda for Meat and Vegetables. Additionally, whole-foods will always provide more wholesome nutrients for the body, as they are natural and un-tampered. One helpful way to look at it, is to remember than supplements are exactly that, supplements. They are not intended to replace a healthy diet, but instead, they are intended to add missing nutrients to an already healthy diet. An article from the Mayo Clinic says “Whole foods are complex, containing a variety of the micronutrients your body needs.” It is very difficult to replicate the essential nutrients of whole-foods, and it is much the same as the debate between organic food and processed food, as a lot of good stuff is lost in the process.
In conclusion, it is clear that all-in-one supplements can be highly beneficial for those who struggle to get all of their essential nutrients from their diets, or for those who have the inability to accurately calculate the balance of their diet. However for those who are able to achieve a healthy balanced diet without the use of all in one supplements, I would greatly recommend using other supplements to merely add to their diet rather than replacing it. For example, an athlete may have a fantastic diet, but due to extensive physical activity they may benefit from a protein powder supplement as their body will be in higher demand than the average person's body. Additionally, supplements such as fish oils may be great for those who do not regularly consume fatty acids from fish, but instead eat chicken and red meat for their protein. Multi-vitamins are also beneficial for those who may consume a good amount of fruit and veg, but perhaps they are repeatedly consuming the same fruit and veg, and therefore may be avoiding some essential micro-nutrients.
Toby Hone
BSc (hons) Sport and Exercise Science
