Think your healthy diet covers everything? Even with the best eating habits, it’s easy to miss key nutrients. Here’s a look at why those gaps happen—and how simple changes can make a big difference.

Doing Everything ‘Right’—But Is Healthy Eating Enough?

At just 21, I received news I thought only happened to people who didn’t look after themselves—Stage 4 colon cancer. I grew up in a family that valued fresh, home-cooked meals with minimal processed junk, so hearing the word “cancer” felt like a complete contradiction. How could this happen when I was doing everything “right” and thought I didn’t need supplements?

That question pushed me to dig deep into everything I thought I knew about health and nutrition. I started searching for answers and ended up uncovering a reality that many of us overlook: sometimes, even the healthiest diets fall short.

Are You Getting All the Nutrients You Need?

A startling statistic struck me early in my journey: over 90% of Americans are missing essential nutrients.[1] Imagine that—most of us, no matter how carefully we eat, aren’t getting everything we need. Suddenly, “eating well” didn’t seem quite as foolproof as I’d always believed.

I used to think supplements were just extras, but this new understanding shifted my perspective. Food alone, as I learned the hard way, isn’t always enough to support our bodies, especially when life throws extra challenges our way. And when you’re a parent juggling special needs, homeschooling, or just managing the day-to-day, those nutrient gaps can catch up quickly.

Here are the key lessons that changed my approach to health and why supplements became a non-negotiable part of it:

4 Key Reasons We Need Supplements

1. Covering What Our Diets Miss

Balanced diets are crucial, but modern eating habits come with some serious gaps. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is known for missing key nutrients, but even those who focus on fresh foods can fall short.

  • 80% of us don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, which means we’re often missing essential vitamins and minerals.
  • Nearly half don’t get enough whole grains, healthy fats, or protein—essential for overall balance and energy.

And it’s not just about what we eat but where it comes from. Soil depletion has reduced the nutrient quality of produce, so today’s fruits and veggies don’t pack the same punch they once did.[2] Even organic food isn’t necessarily more nutritious than conventional. That realization encouraged me to start filling in those gaps with supplements to ensure my body had what it needed.

2. Handling Life’s Extra Demands

While a solid diet is always the goal, supplements can help cover those gaps, especially when you consider a few realities we face every day:

  • Life’s pace and stress drive up our need for nutrients. Between the late nights, screen time, and the constant juggling act of special needs parenting, there are days when our bodies could use a little extra support.
  • Our nutrient needs change as we grow. From kids to adults and beyond, supplements help us keep up with each life stage.
  • Environmental toxins add extra demands. Supplements can give us a cleaner, more concentrated source of nutrients to help offset these hidden stressors.

Knowing I have these bases covered—especially on the tough days—has made all the difference in keeping me steady and strong.

3. Personalized Supplementation for Your Needs

One unexpected finding was that our bodies have unique nutrient needs based on more than just what we eat. Genetics and health factors play a huge role in determining the vitamins and minerals we may need more of. For me, discovering certain cancer markers shifted how I approached supplementation, helping me focus on the nutrients that best supported my health.

Curious about how your genetics and health factors affect your nutrient needs? A personalized assessment could provide valuable insights, helping you create a supplement plan tailored to your body’s design. Feel free to reach out if you’d like more information about the type of assessment I used.

4. Supporting Health in Illness and Stress

When you’re dealing with health challenges—whether it’s catching a bug, feeling run down, or going through particularly stressful seasons—your body often needs more support than usual. I’ve found that specific nutrients like vitamins C and D, zinc, and protein can be vital during these times. They help reinforce immunity, aid recovery, and strengthen cellular health, giving your body the extra support it needs to bounce back.

While eating well is always the goal, knowing I’m covered with essential nutrients has kept me steady and resilient. Adding these targeted supplements gives me peace of mind, knowing my health has a bit more of a safety net when things get tough.

Closing Thoughtsbenefits of supplementing a healthy diet

Looking back, I see that nutrients aren’t just “nice-to-haves”—they’re foundational. The demands of daily life, especially when balancing a family, often mean we need more support than food alone can provide.

For me, supplements have become an essential way to bridge those gaps, helping me feel balanced and strong. And if you’re a mom juggling multiple responsibilities, it’s worth exploring how they might help you feel steady, too.

If you’re interested in choosing a high-quality multivitamin but aren’t sure where to start, I’ve created a Vitamin Checklist PDF to guide you. Feel free to download the checklist below, or reach out to me for extra help!

I’ll be sharing more insights soon, including some hidden risks in cheaper supplements and what to watch out for, so stay tuned!

Footnotes

1. National Center for Health Statistics. “What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007-2010.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ↩︎

2. Davis DR, Epp MD, Riordan HD. “Changes in USDA Food Composition Data for 43 Garden Crops, 1950 to 1999.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition. ↩︎

Signature - Bonnie Smit

Bonnie Smit

I'm Bonnie

I'm so glad you're here! As a special needs mom, I know how easy it is to put our wellness on the backburner while pouring into our families. My journey has shown me that simple, sustainable wellness choices can make a world of difference - especially for moms who've been through those intense seasons of caregiving.

Now, I'm passionate about sharing real-life wellness tips to help us stay strong and thrive. If you're looking for a faith-filled space created for moms like us, I'd love for you to join my wellness community - a place for encouragement, support, and true connection with those who understand.

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