Atkin supplements/pills--Does anyone else have this problem?

[goofy4wdw59]

I'm on the Atkins Plan for weight loss and have good results with it. Everyday, I'm taking (or try to) the Basic #3, Dieters' Advantage and Essential Oils.
Now, this is embarrassing to admit, but, I have a terrible time swallowing pills. My daily ritual is to cut up the pills so that I can swallow them with lots of water without gagging. As I do this everyday, I wonder if others have to do this too?
The Essential Oils is big yellow capsule with "oil" inside--it's not something I can cut up . What I do is cut it open and put in a little water and drink it down. I know, I know! It seems silly, but, it's the only way I can get them down.
Does anyone else out there have to do something to swallow their supplements?
Well...whatever it takes! I'm hanging in there...
Margaret

 

[geetey]

Margaret,
Great post!! I too can't swallow pills. Those multi-vitamins have to be cut 4 times for me to be able to get them down. A capsule? Forgetaboutit! They float! LOL! If anyone has a tip, I would love to hear it. That's why I like Viactiv so much! I can chew my calcium!

 

[Luvinit]

I just stick them all the way in the back of my throat and CHUG CHUG CHUG...water!!! OR sometimes...if I can't do it that way...I PRETEND to be chewing something while the pill is in my mouth and then swallow "it" (the pill). I can fool myself like that sometimes.


I know how difficult it can be thou. Sorry I don't have any "good" tips. I think if you just keep at it...eventually you will be able to get it down. I think alot of it is "psychological". If you think about it...you swallow pieces of steak that are bigger than that.

Good Luck to you both!!

Tracy

 

[aurora19]

I would not suggest cutting the oil pills - they contain fish oil which many people gag over. If you have trouble swallowing them I would suggest you go to a health food store & buy Essential Fatty Acid supplements for children - my son takes them and they are MUCH smaller (he can take them without water and pills usually make him gag). We bought Nature's Way EFA blend for Children through netrition.com and they are about the size of an m&m each (though oval not round).

 

[Beastlover]

I take vitamins twice daily, and I take them with food. That way they stay down better. I don't get that "floating" sensation, and they don't come up on me all day.

Give 'er a try! But don't stop taking them!!

 

[karebear1]

I use to have that porblem too, but I mentioned it to my sister once and she said- "You swallow pieces of meat bigger then those pills!" and she was right! Now I just think of them as a piece of meat! Silly? YES! But, it works for me.... really similar to the 'chewing' idea luvinit suggested!

 

[goofy4wdw59]

It's definitely me/psychological...I know I swallow chunks of food bigger than these pills, Ha!
It took years, but I can swallow regular pills & capsules with no problems...it's just these big horse pills I have a problem with ! (Maturnity vitamins were a nightmare too--my third pregnancy I finally found chewable vitamins--it was much easier!)
When I first tried Atkins in 2000, I didn't take the essential oils because of the size of the capsule. In a few weeks, my feet & hands were really itchy & dry & I realized I really needed the supplements. I went to GNC and the employee helped me pick a liquid oil that he said had many of the Atkins ingredients. It was "Doctor something" oil and didn't taste too bad.
This time, I want to start out with the Atkins oil, so...I'll keep cutting up the capsule for now. I'll check out the EFA for children/smaller pills too.
I just wondered if others have this quirk...I may conquer it yet!