Linda Arpino, MA, RD, CDN Responds:

Studies show that foods consistently outperform supplements in use and benefit of the body. Although a multivitamin may be good to take if you can't consume enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains on a daily basis, it can't become a substitute for these foods. Here's why: There are thousands of nutrients in plant-based foods—including vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants—that a supplement can't quite replace or duplicate. Additionally, multivitamins may not have the most easily absorbed forms of nutrients that foods naturally have. The bottom line: While a multivitamin can help you fill in some nutritional gaps, smart food choices are still important.