When you’re vegan, it can be a real challenge to find a multivitamin that doesn’t contain animal products. Many vegans are unsure just which compounds to avoid. Gelatin, caprylic acid, carmine, and magnesium stearate are all derived from animal sources, yet they’re all common in multivitamins.
In this article, I make it easy for you to choose your vegan multi by breaking down the eight best vegan multivitamins on the market today.
Why Take a Vegan Multivitamin?
The depletion of our soil over the last century means that the foods that we derive from the ground are nowhere near as nutrient-dense as they used to be. It has been estimated that to get the same quality and quantity of nutrients that were in an apple back in the 1920s, you would have to eat 5 apples today. This makes it important for all of us to supplement our diet with a good multivitamin.
Vegans, however, have a special need for an extra daily vitamin and mineral boost. When you exclude animal food sources from your diet, you cut out some important nutrients that you can’t get from plant food sources. Supplementing with a vegan-specific multi will cover the nutrient gap.
Here are 6 key vitamins/minerals that are mainly sourced from animal products that should be in every good vegan multivitamin.
Vegan Multivitamins Buyer’s Guide
Vegans have unique nutrient requirements that can’t be met by a run of the mill multivitamin. The following guide pinpoints what you need to look out for when shopping for a vegan multivitamin:
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- Sublingual Vitamin B12 – B12 deficiency is quite common among vegans so getting at least 1000 micrograms per day as part of a multivitamin should be a prerequisite. Look for B12 that is listed as sublingual. These supplements are designed to be dissolved under the tongue. B12 taken in this form will be more efficiently absorbed into the capillaries in the mouth.
- Calcium – the US RDA for calcium is 1000 milligrams. Vegans who are not consuming very much calcium through cow’s milk alternatives, should look for the RDA content in their multivitamin. However, you need to be careful as some vegan multis source their calcium from oyster shells or lanolin which is a wax secreted by wool producing animals.
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids – the most abundant source of omega-3 fatty acids is cold water fish. However, there are also some excellent vegan sources including walnuts, chia seeds, hemp and pumpkin seeds. Supplementing with a vegan source of omega-3 as part of your multivitamin will promote heart health, reduce inflammation and boost cognitive functioning.
- Iron – most vegans will get a sufficient amount of iron to meet the RDA through whole foods. Taking too much iron can be just as dangerous as not having enough. If you are eating a wide range of plant based foods, you will not need to include iron in your multivitamin.
Top Vegan Multivitamin Ranked:
1. Future Kind Vegan Multivitamin
Future Kind Vegan Multivitamin has been specifically created to meet the needs of vegans. It contains the 3 key ingredients that vegans need in a multi:
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
Future Kind is an ethical vegan company that donates a portion of every sale to an animal sanctuary. Future Kind Vegan Multi boat energy levels strengthens immunity and improves focus. The capsules are small and easy to digest and there is no aftertaste.
Highlights
- Omega 3
- Vitamins D & B12
- Created for vegans
Pros
- Vegan specific
- Contains Omega 3 fatty acids
- No aftertaste
Cons
- Only available from the official website
- Quite expensive
Why You Should Purchase Future Kind Vegan Multivitamin
Future Kind Vegan Multivitamin is a daily multi that has been made specifically for vegans. It is a pared own supplement, providing just the key vitamins and minerals that vegans need. These include all of the compounds that are recommended in the best selling book How Not To Die . . .
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
What We Didn’t Like About Future Kind Vegan Multivitamin
Future Kind is only available from the official website. That means that you may be waiting some time for your order to arrive. The cost is $29.95 for 60 capsules. The recommendation is to take two capsules per day. That works out to a dollar per day, which is a little on the high side.
2. Performance Lab Nutrigenesis Multi
Highlights
- Formulated for men and women
- 27 active ingredients
- Essentials minerals
Pros
- Men’s + Women’s versions
- 27 active ingredients
- No filler ingredients
Cons
- Expensive
- Only available from the official website
Why You Should Purchase Performance Lab Nutrigenesis Multi
Performance Lab Nutrigenesis Multi comes in both a male and female version. The key difference comes down to the different doses for men and women. Both versions include the same 27 key ingredients. The only other things in the product apart from the active ingredients are the plant-based capsule and rice concentrate.
What We Didn’t Like About Performance Lab Nutrigenesis Multi
Performance Lab Nutrigenesis Multi is quite an expensive multivitamin, working out at $1.30 per serving. That price does come down if you buy in bulk, with a 3-month supply, bringing it down to $0.98 per serve. You can only purchase this product from the official website.
3. HealthyCell Vegan Essentials
Highlights
- 30+ vitamins
- Tastes great
- Mixes easily
Pros
- Gel Pack
- Tasty
- Convenient
- No Pills
Cons
- Expensive
Why You Should Purchase HealthyCell Vegan Essentials
HealthyCell Vegan Essential is not like most multivitamins. That’s because it comes in the form of a gel pack. You can either squeeze it directly into your mouth or mix it with water to form a delicious drink. There are more than 30 vitamins and minerals in the gel, including omega 3, vitamins A, D, and B12. It also includes biotin and vitamin E for hair, skin, and nail health.
What We Didn’t Like About HealthyCell Vegan Essentials
HealthyCell Vegan essentials is one of the most expensive vegan multivitamins you will come across. A 30 serving pack is $49.95, which works out to $1.66 per day!
3. Rainbow Light Just Once
Highlights
- B Complex
- Herbs
- Phytonutrients
Pros
- Organic spirulina
- Plant-sourced enzymes
- American ginseng
Cons
- Unpleasant odor
Why You Should Purchase Rainbow Light Just Once
Rainbow Light Just Once is a daily supplement that delivers all of the vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that vegans need for optimum health. It includes such nutrient-rich green foods as spirulina, chlorella, and stinging nettle. This is an allergen-free product that does not contain any gluten, wheat, tree nuts, or peanuts. You also get 240 mg of Vitamin C, 400 IU of Vitamin D, and 25 mcg of Vitamin B12.
What We Didn’t Like About Rainbow Light Just Once
Rainbow Light Just Once capsules give off a rather unpleasant odor that makes them a little uninviting.
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5. Garden of Life
Highlights
- Specifically for women
- 16 vitamins & minerals
- Great for skin and hair
Pros
- 16 vitamins & minerals
- Designed for women
- Vitamin D & B12
Cons
- Some side effects possible
Why You Should Purchase Garden of Life
Garden of Life Multivitamin is specifically created for women. It concentrates on the multivitamin and minerals that most benefit women, including those that promote hair, skin, and nail health. It also boosts energy levels with the inclusion of such ingredients as Vitamin B12, which is dosed at 500 percent of the daily recommended value. All 16 ingredients are provided at a minimum of 100 percent of the DV.
What We Didn’t Like About Garden of Life
Garden of Life users have reported some adverse reactions to the use of their products. These include bloating, gas, and acid reflux.
6. Nature’s Dynamics
Highlights
- Chewable vegan gummy
- Non-GMO
- Pectin
Pros
- Non-capsule
- Gummy chewable
- Non-GMO
Cons
- Relative light vitamin and mineral list
Why You Should Purchase Nature’s Dynamics
Nature’s Dynamics is a gummy bear chewable that contains a blend of vitamins and minerals. That makes it ideal for people who don’t like to swallow pills or capsules. This is a non-GMO product that is also free of soy, dyes, or chemicals.
What We Didn’t Like About Nature’s Dynamics
The vitamin and mineral content in Nature’s Dynamics is a little on the light side. It does not, for example, contain any Vitamin D or Vitamin K. It is also quite light on whole food ingredients.
7. Battle Ready Fuel
Highlights
- 12 vitamins
- 13 minerals
- Greens Powder
Pros
- Green’s super powder
- 25 vitamin/mineral ingredients
- Spirulina
- Probiotics
Cons
- It may not be dosed high enough for high performing athletes
Why You Should Purchase Battle Ready Fuel
Battle Ready Fuel is a super greens powder that contains 25 vitamin and mineral ingredients. It includes spirulina, barley grass powder, wheatgrass, kelp, digestive enzymes, and probiotics. The powder mixes easily with water and tastes pretty good.
What We Didn’t Like About Battle Ready Fuel
Battle Ready Fuel is expensive. It costs around $48 for a one-month supply, which works out to $1.60 per day. It is also a little light on the dosing of some ingredients, making it questionable for high-performing athletes.
8. Deva Vegan Multivitamin
Highlights
- 22 ingredients
- Easy to swallow tablets 100% RDA of 17 vegan nutrients
- Ashwagandha
Pros
- High RDA dosages
- Spirulina + Ashwagandha
- High in Vitamin B12
Cons
- Vitamin D is in the less effective D3 form
Why You Should Purchase Deva Vegan Multivitamin
Deva Vegan Multivitamin contains 22 vegan-friendly ingredients, 17 of which provide at least 100 percent of the RDA. Some of them are much higher. Deva provides you with 1666 percent of the RDA for Vitamin B12. All of the ingredients in this product are sourced from plant-based vegan whole food sources. Included are such recognized superfoods as spirulina, ashwagandha, broccoli, chlorella, and ginger.
What We Didn’t Like About Deva Vegan Multivitamin
The form of Vitamin D in Deva Vegan Multivitamin is in the D3 form. This is less effective than the D2 form which is more commonly used in multivitamin supplements.
9. Hippo 7 Vegan Complete
Highlights
- 7 essential nutrients
- Specifically for vegans
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Pros
- Designed just for vegans
- 7 essential vitamins and minerals
- Contains Omega-3
Cons
- Limited ingredient profile
Why You Should Purchase Hippo 7 Vegan Complete
Hippo 7 Vegan Complete is made specifically to fill the nutrient gaps that vegans may experience. The essential 7 nutrients in this product are omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iodine, and calcium. Your purchase of Hippo 7 comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What We Didn’t Like About Hippo 7 Vegan Complete
There are only 7 ingredients in Hippo 7. These are the nutrients that plug your vegan nutritional gaps. However, if you are low on other nutrients, you will not get them from this product.
10. Morning Liquid Vitamins by Mary Ruths
Highlights
- No mixing required
- Can be taken on an empty stomach
- Great taste
Pros
- Liquid form
- Tastes great
- Good for hair, skin, and nails
Cons
- Very small doses
Why You Should Purchase Morning Liquid Vitamins by Mary Ruths
Morning Liquid by Mary Ruths is a pre-made liquid multivitamin supplement that is vegan friendly and provides the support needed by people who do not consume animal products. The liquid delivery system makes it easy and very tasty to digest. It’s great for people who aren’t keen to take a pill every day. The liquid format also makes it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients in the product.
What We Didn’t Like About Morning Liquid Vitamins by Mary Ruths
Morning Liquid requires taking just a single ounce per day. That can be quite difficult to measure out. Be sure to refrigerate the bottle after opening.
FAQ
Do vegans need to take a multivitamin?
It is a good idea for vegans to take a multivitamin as it will make up for the nutrients that are missing from a plant-based diet. When you don’t eat animal products, you will be deficient in zinc, vitamin B12, omega 3 fatty acids, and calcium.
Are gelatin capsules vegan friendly?
No, gelatin capsules are not vegan-friendly. It is made from the bone marrow of animals. Instead go for capsules made from Agar, Carrageenan, Guar gum, starch or pectin
How do I go about becoming vegan?
Read about the nutrients that you need to concentrate on as well as the benefits of going vegan. Many people have gone cold turkey on animal foods successfully, whereas others have found it easier to transition their way off animal foods more gradually.
Wrap Up
Vegans need to plug the vitamin and mineral gaps in their diet that arise from not consuming animal products. Buying a general off-the-shelf vitamin and mineral product will probably not do that. Your best bet is to buy a vitamin and mineral supplement that has been specifically designed to provide the nutrients that vegans are bound to be low in.
The best overall vitamin and mineral supplement for vegans is Future Kind Vegan Multivitamins, which delivers 100 percent RDA level doses of all of the key nutrients that vegans need for optimum health.
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