Problems swallowing vitamins...

[skygazer]

I have trouble taking vitamins unless I can take them with milk because they gage me. When I am on Atkins and drinking mostly water I don't take them like I should because it's hard. If I have milk I can take as many as I need! Any sugestions? Thanks!

[Sashie]

Re: Problems swallowing vitamins...

Do you gag because of the taste, is that what your saying? I know like those GNC ones I cannot take with water, they make me want to hurl because of the after taste lol. If this is the case, what I did was either take them with a cup of decaf tea, coffee, atkins shake, or even crystal light type of juice, basically anything flavored. Or... find a different vitamin. I started buying those bone density ones from GNC that are coated and they have a bit of a sweet flavor rather than ________ LOL.

If it is about the size of the vitamin, what about getting a pill cutter and cutting it in half? Can find them at the dollar store.

[boonie stomper]

Re: Problems swallowing vitamins...

I used to have that problem, until I tried mind over matter. What I mean is, when you eat food fast, say somthing like oatmeal that you really don't chew much if at all before swallowing a spoonful, your throat opens up and the whole spoonful goes down. So think "you're swallowing a spoonful of ____" after you put the handful of pills (or one for starters) in your mouth, and as you slug the liquid in your mouth, swing your head up and back as you swallow.

[julirama723]

Re: Problems swallowing vitamins...

Ditto what boonie said. I just pretend I'm eating a big chunk of food (something yummy, of course) and I chug water while I do it. I also drink a lot of water after I've taken them, to "clear out" my throat and to get the rid of the after-taste.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Problems swallowing vitamins...

You could sub the milk with watered down cream maybe.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Problems swallowing vitamins...

i am wondering could you actually soften the vitamin up then take it (if the taste isn't so bad) or could you dissolve the vitiamin in a glass of water and drink it up?

bio would know this for sure, i am wondering if dissolving them makes any difference at all. maybe the body absorbs it faster?

[biogeek]

Re: Problems swallowing vitamins...

Some vitamins won't dissolve readily in water, while others will. If you do decide to dissolve them, it won't hurt the potency. In fact, it will be more readily absorbed. However, if you bought time-release type of vitamin, it more than likely won't dissolve in water and would defeat the purpose of such a supplement.

If size is the issue in causing you to gag, it would be best then to purchase a pill splitter and cut the supplement into 3 to 6 pieces or whatever size you think you can handle.

If the problem is taste and you don't think you can mask the flavor with anything but milk, then shopping around and trying different formulas may be your best bet. It'll be a pricy though, that's the downside.

There are some brands of vitamins that mask the "vitamin taste" with a special coating so that you won't taste it. Most of time, it's a glycerin shell that dissolves in your stomach. Very similar to buffered aspirin tablets. Usually the culprit to "vitamin taste" is vitamin B and iron.

Another option would be to look for vitamins that come in liquid form. There are several on the market that cater to those who can't swallow pills and makers claim it tastes good. However, you must be wary of the carb content and it's a lot pricier than tablet form.

If you think liquid is the way for you, you can also buy vitamins in powder form and then mix it into the cold liquid of your choice. Again, it's pricer than pill form but it's another option is solving your delimma.

Good luck in your search for the right supplement!

[skygazer]

Re: Problems swallowing vitamins...

I think it is swallowing and not the taste. I do better if the vitamin is small-most of mine are whoopers! I would love to use the Atkins shake but heard it stalls people. I will work on mind over matter I guess!

[biogeek]

Re: Problems swallowing vitamins...

Ok, good! Size is easier to deal with than taste!! Real food beats food substitutes any day....avoid the shake, even if it is Atkins.

[skygazer]

Re: Problems swallowing vitamins...

Thanks everyone!