Get Your Nutrients from Your Food

The Budwig Diet is designed to provide a high level of vitamins and antioxidants naturally from food. When they come from food they are accompanied by other nutrients that help the body absorb and use them. Extra antioxidants and vitamin supplements (other than vitamin D3 if needed) are not part of the Budwig Diet.

Dr Johanna Budwig advised against supplements of any kind, especially antioxidant supplements. She believed the diet worked by increasing oxygen in the cells, which is why she advised against taking extra antioxidants.

Not From Supplements

The vitamins and minerals occurring naturally in food are an important part of the Budwig Diet. Herbs and spices used as foods are Budwig compatible; concentrated extracts taken as supplements are not.

Herbal remedies and other supplements are generally considered not to be part of the Budwig Diet and are best avoided unless they are medically necessary, such as when a doctor has diagnosed a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Vitamin D3 is one of the few exceptions because many people in Northern Europe are unable to produce enough from sunlight alone.

Nutrient Deficiency

If you or your doctor suspect you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, ask to be tested. A properly followed Budwig Diet is designed to provide all the nutrients you need from real food. However, if a deficiency is diagnosed it should be treated appropriately. If you’re following the Budwig Diet, it can also be helpful to speak to someone experienced with the diet to ensure your nutritional needs are met without compromising its principles.

Budwig-compatible Supplements

Although most supplements are not part of the Budwig Diet, there are a few foods and supplements that are generally considered compatible. We’ve given these their own pages where you can find more detailed information.

Essiac Tea

Essiac Tea is a Canadian herbal tea created in the 1920s by René Caisse from a recipe shared with her by a Native American healer. It is generally considered compatible with the Budwig Diet.

Kelp and Seaweed

Seaweed is rich in minerals and is a common food in many parts of the world. We don’t have a strong tradition of eating it in the UK, which is surprising considering we’re an island surrounded by the sea.

Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast is amazing stuff. It adds important nutrients, particularly B vitamins, but none of the bad stuff – it’s fat-free, salt-free and makes a delicious savoury seasoning with a flavour a little like Parmesan.

It was recommended by Dr Johanna Budwig herself. If you choose a fortified brand containing vitamin B12, it can be particularly useful for those following a meat-free diet.

Vitamin D3

You should be tested to ensure your vitamin D levels are adequate. Vitamin D behaves more like a hormone than a vitamin, so the aim is to achieve healthy levels rather than simply meeting the minimum recommended amount. Dr Budwig recommended sensible exposure to sunshine whenever possible as the best way to maintain healthy vitamin D levels.