Can Multi Vitamins for Kids Help My Kids Stay Healthy?

Multi vitamins for kids are a source of much debate for many parents. Some prefer to give them to their children to ensure that they’re getting their daily requirement of vitamins and minerals. Others believe that simply eating a balanced diet is enough.

The reality is that there is no right answer when it comes to vitamin supplements for kids. Every child’s needs are different, and determining if it’s a good idea to incorporate multi vitamins for kids into their daily routine should depend on a number of factors including their overall health, their activity level, and what they’re eating.

No pediatric dietician or nutritionist will tell you that vitamin supplements for kids can replace balanced meals. Rather, they are designed to supplement an otherwise healthy diet or to augment diets for those children who have special nutritional needs. Thus, the primary focus when it comes to healthy eating is to start with providing the fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains that truly support good health in a child. Vitamin and mineral absorption is better in food, so healthy eating should always be a top priority for parents and their children.

Interestingly, many children are getting too much of certain nutrients due in large part to enriched and fortified foods like flour, orange juice, and milk. And, this should definitely be taken into account when you consider multi vitamins for kids. Before giving vitamin supplements for kids, it’s a good idea to go through your pantry and refrigerator to check all other sources. These often include cereals, breakfast bars, waffles,  juice drinks, and snack foods.

While not providing complete sources of nutrition like multi vitamins for kids, fortified foods often help supplement deficiencies in iron, folic acid, zinc, and vitamin C. However, there are also other nutrients that are not commonly found in enriched foods that are essential to a child’s health. These include calcium, potassium, and DHA.  In fact, many children fall short in these nutrients. This is when vitamin supplements for kids can come in particularly handy. Thus, it makes good sense to look for vitamin supplements for kids that contain the nutrients that are lacking in fortified foods and in your child’s everyday diet.

What to Avoid in Multi Vitamins for Kids
The sweetener used in vitamin supplements for kids is something to definitely consider before deciding on a particular brand. Many of the most popular grocery store brands contain either high fructose corn syrup or aspartame as a sweetener. Neither of these is a smart option for a child – or an adult for that matter! The best brands will be sweetened with xylitol which can help reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Animal Parade® GOLD Multi Children's Chewable from Nature’s Plus is one choice that has a sugar-free formula that doesn’t contain aspartame. With a range of features including all essential vitamins & minerals, probiotics, 20 certified organic whole foods, and more, they are also delicious with a variety of shapes and flavors. Animal Parade vitamins are also hypo-allergenic, gluten-free, and vegetarian – making them the right option for children with or without food allergies and sensitivities.