Multivitamins offer “nutritional insurance” if you’ve been eating less than ideal, says Julie Garden-Robinson, PhD, RD, Professor of Nutrition and Food Safety at North Dakota State University. While you should always try to eat a healthy diet first and foremost to get the nutrients and phytochemicals firsthand, a multivitamin can help you supplement those nutrients if you need it.
Multivitamins are a bit of a hot topic. Most people don’t necessarily need one: a 2020 study in Open BMJ found that people who take a multivitamin do not have lower rates of illness compared to those who do not. However, people who take one a day said they feel healthier on a regular basis, and even if it’s a placebo effect, that counts for well-being and sticking to healthier habits.
Also, that study didn’t measure actual nutrient levels, so we can’t say that the multivitamin had no real benefit. Additionally, the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans in 2020-25 say that about three out of four people don’t eat enough dairy, fruits, or vegetables.
If you want to take a multivitamin, the next hurdle is choosing the right one. We spoke with a nutritional psychiatrist, pharmacist, and registered dietitian to help narrow down what’s available and perfect the best multivitamins for women at different stages of their lives. At the end of this guide, we go into more detail about who needs a multivitamin and how to choose the right one.
Here are the best multivitamins for women of 2021:
Best Multivitamin for Women Overall: Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women, $ 37.99 at Vitamin Shoppe
The Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women is an all-in-one option packed with nutrients, probiotics and enzymes essential for digestion.
Best multivitamin for active women: Opti-Women by Optimum Nutrition, $ 18.74 at Vitamin Shoppe
Opti-Women by Optimum Nutrition offers a personalized distribution of nutrients designed for a more active lifestyle.
Best budget multivitamin for women: Nature Made Multi for Her, $ 13.99 at Walgreens
Nature Made Multi for Her provides a calcium, folate, iron, and vitamin D boost for less than $ 30.
The best multivitamin for vegan women: Ritual Essentials for Women, $ 30 in ritual
Ritual Essential for Women is vegan, gluten-free, and no major allergens, and focuses on brain health, bone health, blood-building, and antioxidant support.
The best multivitamin for women over 40: Garden of Life myKind Organic Women’s 40+ Multi, $ 41.99 at The Vitamin Shoppe
Garden of Life myKind Organic Women’s 40+ Multi is specially formulated to address the changing nutritional needs of women as they age, with 16 nutrients at levels in excess of 100% DV.