Question:
Suggestions for better tasting vitamins?

I am a week out from surgery and suppose to be taking a chewable multivitamin, calcium citrate and vitamin D3. I can't seem to find any that I can tolerate. Does anyone have any brand suggestions on easy tasting tolerable vitamins? Thanks for your input!    — Angie4change (posted on May 14, 2009)

May 14, 2009
Vitamins basically taste the same because the B vitamins are GROSS!!!!! Some are bitter too.. YUCK! LOL It's really hard to disguise those flavors...Bariatric Advantage is a quality vitamin in my opinion after studying the ingredients in the common vitamins out there with high doses of the B Vitamins that RNYers need...and while it is a strong flavor, it is easy to get used to. I have had multiple vitamin defs and anemia at year 4 post op and was SHOCKED how malnourished I was...At that point I decided it was about time I learned as MUCH as I could about RNY, Vitamins, nutrition...etc! I like the flavor of Trader Joes High Potency Adult Chewables...Only trouble is the calcium in their formula is calcium carbonate...Since we have to take calcium citrate separate anyway...I use this vitamin as an alternate on days I just need a different flavor...I like Trader Joe's vitamins because they use nothing artificial, fillers,preservatives, or dyes and they use quality vitamins in their multi that are compatable with the RNY anatomy...The calcium carbonate is it's only flaw...Oh well! Otherwise BA is a worth every penny and PERFECTLY designed for RNY, and for taking our iron and calcium citrate separately... IMHO...You still need to take calcium citrate w/D3 and iron separately (2 hours apart) from WHATEVER multivitamins you use for best chances of absorption and bioavailability...as well as a B-12 sublingual to help prevent vitamin deficiencies. You need to get used to the strong flavors and a schedule for taking vitamins...It's forever! Don't forget that the ultimate way to prevent vitamin defs is to have all your vitamins checked with labs at LEAST yearly...So whatever vitamin you do take, you know with labs how well you are doing...and by the way...It takes years to deplete your bodies natural vitamin storage...so, many deficiencies do not show up on labs for years...I suggest you get copies of labs and compare to see if you are dropping anywhere...and if you are, you might want to supplement that particular vitamin in addition to your vitamin regimen! Malabsorption is real! I learned that the long hard way! Good luck
   — .Anita R.

May 14, 2009
I find the taste of all the Bariatric Advantage vitamins and Protein are great. The Matrix protein powder in Chocolate is delicious. I also love the cinnamon flavor and the orange.
   — PPOOH1157

May 14, 2009
I would literally gag on taking vitamins. The nurse at my Dr's office had the Gastric Bypass and I talked to her about this. She said she would take 1 B12 injection a month(which my pcp prescribes this) and I get 12 syringes and the vile is enough for 1 year. I give the injections myself. And I take 1 flinstone vitamin at night. I have been doing this for 1 year now and I have had my labs done twice and every level they check is with in normal ranges. YOu may want to try this. Good Luck and let me know how it goes and what you decide to do!
   — nellienormand

May 15, 2009
I know your pain, I hated the stupid orange flavor chewables. Bariatric Advantage has a new multi vitiman that is a capsule, you have to take 3 twice a day, but compared to the orange chucks getting stuck in my teeth its a piece of cake!!! You would need to check to see when you can actually take a pill though since your a newbie. Good luck and please please dont skimp or not take your vitamins it is a must. I also use the mint calcium and they taste great. I order a whole 90 day pack and it has everything I need and runs about $130. Toni
   — ToniLee

May 15, 2009
I use liquid calcium by Oasis.... it tastes like watered down OJ but it doesn't bother my stomach like some... http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2188156
   — phyllismmay

May 15, 2009
I use Bariatric Advantage and they don't taste too bad. I typically take all of my vitamins at night before I go to bed. No problem with them upsetting my stomach (or little pouch). I have great labs and am 2 years out from RNY.
   — waferqueen

May 16, 2009
I find the Bariatric Advantage vitamins palatable.
   — Terri D.

May 21, 2009
Not sure if u are post lap band or post gastric bypass? I had gastric bypass on Jan 8th of this year. I am 4 months out. I take Forvia (you can buy it on Forvia.com) and it includes ALL vitamins you need except the Calcium. They don't taste too bad. You do have to take 2 day though. Hope this helps.
   — Lyndsay30