What is the Nutrition Gap?

In 2010, the National Nutrition Survey revealed that some 60% of Singaporeans now eat out at least four times a week.

Most food stalls however sell foods high in energy, fats and salt. This can lead to a nutrition gap of essential vitamins and minerals in diets caused by inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables and protein.

Change the way you eat

Nutritional gaps exist because we eat too many foods that are high in some types of nutrients, whilst not eating enough foods that contain other important nutrients.

For example, a plate of nasi briyani or chicken rice contains less vitamins and minerals than a healthier option like yong tau foo or salad.

However, even eating more fruits and vegetables may not mean you achieve your daily-recommended-allowances for vitamins and minerals. One of the reasons is the lack of nutritional information for regular hawker fare.

For example, do you know how many popiahs are needed to fill your daily need for vitamin A? It’s actually about 5 to 6 rolls.

How many servings of tofu in a plate of economy rice is necessary for getting enough B-vitamins and folate a day? The answer is about 4 squares of tofu.

Multivitamins: a fuss-free way to get the nutrition you need

But it isn’t always possible to eat 5 to 6 rolls of popiah a day or 4 squares of tofu. You may already feel full due to eating other nutrients in your meal like carbohydrates and protein, and don’t have appetite for more food. Many people also do not enjoy the taste of vegetables or fruits.

If you don’t think you can squeeze in more fruits and vegetables daily due to lack of choices, time or appetite, try a multivitamin supplement. A multivitamin supplement is a fuss-free way to fill the nutrition gaps in your diet. Multivitamins provide vitamins and minerals in a convenient, once-daily pill or tablet.

When shopping for a multivitamin supplement, look for a brand that is globally recognised, scientifically-formulated, and tailored to your individual needs. This way, everyone and anyone can have their nutrition gaps filled from A to Zinc.