Supp lemen tary InsuranceVitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other micronutrients in food are just as vital to your health as protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Vitamins and minerals help convert calories into useful energy and perform a host of other functions that are vital for your body’s optimal performance. With lots of vegetables, ample protein, and healthy fats, at the very least you’ll be getting the daily minimum of micronutrients that you need. You should also take a daily multivitamin with minerals that includes magnesium and calcium but no iron (unless your doctor has diagnosed you as iron-deficient). Also, take an omega-3 supplement to ensure a proper balance of essential fatty acids. Finally, consider taking additional vitamin D if you don’t spend a lot of time in the sun.Become Goal-O rientedAs with any new endeavor, the first step is to set specific goals. We encourage a realistic long-term weight goal. If you’re dealing with health issues, work with your health care provider to quantify both long-term and shortterm goals. Blood sugar, insulin, triglyceride, and blood pressure indicators usually improve quickly on Atkins, but changes in some markers may take up to six months. As with any journey, you need to know your destination or you might get lost or distracted along the road. The more specific your goal, the more likely you’ll achieve it. For example: