5 Reasons Why Your Child May Need a Kids Multivitamin

Not every child needs kids multivitamins to stay healthy, but some do. Here’s a rundown of five of the top reasons why kid’s multivitamins might be beneficial for your child.

1. Your Child Is a Finicky Eater
Picky eating is a common problem that parents face when trying to provide a balanced diet for their children. Fruits and vegetables are essential for obtaining sufficient nutrition to support healthy, growing bodies. Unfortunately, not all children are willing to load up on these healthy foods. While there are plenty of processed foods on the market that are vitamin and mineral fortified, these products can be loaded with sugar, fat, sodium, and preservatives. An easy way to ensure your child is getting sufficient vitamins and minerals is to provide a daily kids multivitamin with a balanced formula.

2. Your Child Has Asthma
According to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine, daily usage of inhaled steroids for asthma can often be reduced when combined with a vitamin D supplement.  This nutrient can easily be provided with a daily multivitamin.

3. Your Child Is Active in Sports
Very active children and adolescents often need more than just the daily recommended requirements for vitamins and minerals. These can be challenging to obtain from just a healthy diet. For young athletes, a kids multivitamins can be beneficial to supporting their physical activities.

4. Your Child Has a Slower than Normal Growth Pattern
Children who are thin or short in comparison to other boys and girls their age many need additional supplementation. Your pediatrician will track your child’s height, weight, and BMI (body mass index) and will make recommendations based on these numbers. In many cases, if there is a slower-than-normal growth pattern, kid’s multivitamins will be prescribed.

5. Your Child Is a Vegetarian
A growing number of children and teens are choosing meat-free diets. This can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency. If you have a child on a meatless diet it’s worth discussing with your pediatrician to determine if supplementation is necessary.

Choosing the Right Kids Multivitamin
A few guidelines for choosing vitamin supplements for your kids:
• Choose a high quality brand of natural kid’s multivitamins
• Read the label carefully
• Look for a formula that offers a full range of vitamins and minerals including calcium, iron, and zinc
• Choose a supplement with no artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors