If you are currently taking, have taken or wish to start taking oral contraceptives, it is wise to boost your dietary intake of the nutrients that can be affected by them. Zinc, magnesium, selenium, vitamins C and E as well as vitamins B2, B6, B9 (folate) and B12 have been found to be at lower levels in women on the pill. Luckily, these 9 essential vitamins and minerals that can be depleted by the pill, are readily found in common ingredients that also provide many other health boosting nutrients.
Seafood, lamb, liver, turkey, chicken and eggs are some of the best sources of most of these nutrients. However, it isn’t just animal sources that provide them, dark leafy greens, quinoa, avocadoes, wholegrains, nuts, seeds, asparagus, lentils, broccoli and fruits should be included daily. If you are vegan or vegetarian you may need to consider supplementing with B12 as it isn’t readily available from plant-based foods.