{"id":320333,"date":"2026-02-04T19:38:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T19:38:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/320333\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T19:38:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T19:38:14","slug":"avoid-taking-these-3-vitamins-in-the-morning-dietitians-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/320333\/","title":{"rendered":"Avoid Taking These 3 Vitamins in the Morning, Dietitians Say"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vitamins aren\u2019t cheap, and it makes sense to want to get the most out of your investment if you\u2019re taking a daily supplement<\/a>. But while there are plenty of supplements you can have whenever you\u2019ll consistently remember to take them, for others, timing can make a huge difference. <\/p>\n

\u201cLike medications, timing can matter when it comes to maximizing vitamin supplements,\u201d says\u00a0Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN<\/a>,<\/strong> CEO of NY Nutrition Group. \u201cSome do their best work in the AM, while others shine at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scott Keatley, RD, <\/strong><\/a>co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy<\/a>,<\/strong> agrees. \u201cA lot of people take supplements first thing with coffee<\/a> and an empty stomach because it\u2019s easy, but that\u2019s not automatically optimal,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n

In fact, some supplements can actually irritate your digestive tract, leading to nausea<\/a> or burping when you take them on an empty stomach, according to Dr. Sonya Angelone, PhD, RDN,<\/strong><\/a> a nutritionist and registered dietitian based in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

Basically, it\u2019s important to at least consider the timing of your vitamins before you take them. Here\u2019s why, along with the most common supplements you shouldn\u2019t take in the morning, according to dietitians. Plus, they reveal what time of day to shoot for instead.<\/p>\n

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Yana Iskayeva&sol;Getty Images<\/p>\n

(Yana Iskayeva&sol;Getty Images)3 Vitamins You Shouldn\u2019t Take First Thing in the Morning<\/p>\n

It\u2019s always important to check in with a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement, and they should be able to go over with you the best timing and situations when you should take your vitamin, says Jessica Cording, RD<\/a>,<\/strong> author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. But, if you forgot to ask or just aren\u2019t sure, dietitians say these vitamins and minerals shouldn\u2019t be taken first thing.<\/p>\n

Related: The One Breakfast Habit Brain Health Experts Are Begging You To Stop<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Iron<\/strong><\/p>\n

Iron is technically a mineral, but this is a big one that dietitians flag. \u201cAlthough iron can be best absorbed on an empty stomach, it can cause nausea and stomach cramps,\u201d Dr. Angelone says. As a result, she says that taking iron between meals\u2014with a snack\u2014can be easier to tolerate.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also want to avoid taking iron with your morning coffee<\/a> or tea, since compounds in these drinks can bind to iron and lower its absorption, Keatley says. Another pro tip, per Keatley: Don\u2019t take your iron with foods that contain calcium. Why? Calcium significantly blocks the absorption of iron in your system.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it with a piece of fruit or OJ to increase absorption,\u201d Dr. Angelone says. \u201cIt is better to get a little less iron, if taken with a snack, than to get none because it causes you nausea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: This Is Hands-Down the Best Drink for Gut Health, According to Gastroenterologists<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Magnesium<\/strong><\/p>\n

The timing of magnesium is less about how it\u2019s absorbed in the body and more about its potential impact on your sleep. \u201cCertain kinds of magnesium, particularly magnesium bisglycinate, can promote a more relaxed state and therefore better sleep,\u201d Moskovitz says. \u201cThat effect can also make some individuals sleepy.\u201d <\/p>\n

Cording agrees. \u201cA great time to take magnesium is at nighttime because it\u2019s very soothing to the nervous system,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

But magnesium can also help you poop<\/a>, Cording points out. When you take it in the evening, you\u2019re less likely to be surprised by the need to go when you\u2019re out and about than when you\u2019re already at home and near a bathroom, she explains.<\/p>\n

Related: What To Know About the \u2018Pink Salt Trick,\u2019 the New Weight Loss Method Everyone\u2019s Talking About<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E and K<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble and best absorbed alongside dietary fat, Keatley says. \u201cTaking them with a meal improves absorption consistency,\u201d he explains. \u201cIf someone\u2019s first thing is just coffee, there may not be enough fat to absorb much of the vitamin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moskovitz agrees. \u201cConsider scheduling those supplements with a meal,\u201d she says. Dr. Angelone says she typically encourages her patients to take these vitamins with their largest meal of the day to ensure they have a source of fat to promote absorption.<\/p>\n

When Is the Best Time To Take These Vitamins?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ideal timing depends on the supplement you\u2019re planning to take. \u201cThe best timing is usually the one that maximizes absorption and the one you can repeat consistently,\u201d Keatley says. Here\u2019s a breakdown:<\/p>\n