How to Remember to Take Your Supplements

Posted on July 21, 2021

How to remember to take your supplements

It can be easy to forget to take your supplements, even if you have been taking them for a long time. These tips can help you get into the habit of taking your supplements to ensure you never miss a dose or skip a day. Always check with your healthcare practitioner or nutritionist with how long you can take the supplement for. 

Create a calendar

Making a note of what supplements you need to take and when can be particularly useful if you are taking more than one. Create a calendar and put it somewhere you won’t miss it, like on the fridge or beside your bed. It may also help to set an alarm reminder on your phone or use a reminders feature to send you alerts when it is time to take your supplements.

Taking supplements at the right time

To get the most out of the supplements you are taking, make sure to take them at the right time of day. For example B-vitamins provide energy and are better to be taken earlier on in the day and do not need to be taken with food as they are water soluble. Vitamin D supplements on the other hand are fat soluble and should be taken after a meal for better absorption. It can also be taken in the evening. Some supplements interact with medication so always speak to your doctor first. If you are not sure when to best take your supplements, speak to a healthcare practitioner or a qualified nutritionist. 

Make it part of your routine

If possible, take your supplements at the same time every day to reduce the risk of forgetting. This might be before breakfast, while you enjoy a certain TV show, or after you brush your teeth. Once you associate one of these routine activities with taking your supplements, you’ll be less likely to forget.

Use a pill box

Pill boxes are widely available from pharmacies, supermarkets or local hardware stores. They are affordable and a reliable way to keep track of tablets. A pill box can also make it easier to take the right dose by encouraging you to separate out supplements into the correct dosage at the start of each day or week.

Store it where you won’t miss it

Consider storing your supplements somewhere you will see them every day, like next to your toothbrush or by the kettle. This will make them easier to spot and harder to forget. Think about when you have to take your tablets (morning, evening or with food) and what you do at these times of day to find the perfect spot to store them. Remember to check the storage instructions to make sure your supplements are kept in the right conditions and always keep them out of reach of children.