Question:
Most of the vitamin bottles say to take with food. How much food and why?

The bottles say "take during or after a meal." I've been combining (for my husband, the post-op RNY) 1-1/2 oz thinned yogurt with the calcium and Crystal Light with the rest, except iron and B12. He has not had any problems, but I wonder if the 1-1/2 oz yogurt is enough food. Additionally, would this amount of vitamins be too much together. He's feeling great. THANKS. I reviewed all the questions in archives and found nothing on this.    — Katy G. (posted on April 8, 2002)

April 8, 2002
The yogurt is probably better than the Crystal Light. It need to be something somewhat substantial for two reasons: 1. most vitamins are only absorbed by our bodies through food. 2. when taken on an empty stomach, they can make you feel very nauseated.
   — DJeffrey

April 8, 2002
Part of the reason is that pills are designed to break down in gastric juices. So, food stimulates more of it. Of course, for RNY, that's a moot issue because we have no gastric juices because we do not "digest". I prefer them with food because I don't like pills on empty. Be sure you're not doing your iron with any dairy or cafeine foods, OK? Just some vite C. Protein drink (no milk) is OK.
   — vitalady

April 9, 2002
Katy Gilberts here and thanks for the answers! Very much. I have substituted pureed/well strained/straw-thin raspberries (NO seeds) for the Crystal Light which is delicious and more substantive. Thanks again.
   — Katy G.