A Message From Nancy And The Athlete's Kitchen

The Athlete’s Kitchen

Do I need to take so many pills…?

Dear Nancy,
I am a 24 year old grad student who runs 6 miles a day. I take many,
many vitamins each day, and am wondering if this is all a big hoax. I
follow what books and doctors have told me along the way and am just
trying to maintain my health. The pills are not only a hassle to take
but are also expensive.

Do I really need all of these? Cost/pill
1 Super-B complex (supposedly for energy) 10¢
1 Centrum Daily Multivitamin (because doc says so) 15¢
3 Citracal + D tablets (helps build bone) 45¢
1 Magnesium (helps absorb calcium) 35¢
2 Glucosamine-Chondroitin tabs (supposedly helps joints) 75¢
1 Conjugated Linoleic Acid (build muscle and lose fat?) 30¢
1 E (supposedly helps skin and nails) 7¢
2 Cinnamon tabs (supposedly helps blood sugar) 25¢
1 Flaxseed oil capsule (doctor said so) 6¢
1 Fish oil capsule (doctor said we need Omega 3) 10¢
Cost/day: $2.58

I try to eat well and exercise. A typical day looks like this:

Approximate Calories
BREAKFAST: packet oatmeal + an orange 200
RUN (after b’fast): 6 miles-5 days/wk; lift- 2/wk (-600)
SNACK (post-run): light string cheese + 20 almonds. 250
LUNCH: large salad, dry + can of tuna + 4 oz. yogurt 350
SNACK: Luna Bar 200
DINNER: large salad, dry + 2 Boca Burgers + cooked veg 400

I inevitably end up grazing in the afternoon and evening on goldfish
crackers, cookies, trail mix, hot cocoa, candy bars. Every night without
fail, I succumb to some sort of chocolate bar or frozen yogurt. Or both.
Writing all this down makes me feel like I eat too much... Help!!

Jessica

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