How to Choose the Best Kids Vitamins

Children need a broad range of both essential and nonessential nutrients to support their long-term health and growing. Essential nutrients are those that the body cannot produce itself and have to be consumed in the diet. Children also need a variety of minerals to support every cell in the body. While it’s wonderful when a child can get ample vitamins and minerals in their daily diet, many cannot and require more. The best kids vitamins provide the daily requirement of vitamins and minerals needed to bridge this nutritional gap.

What to Look for in the Best Kids Vitamins
Vitamins that offer food-based vitamins that are recognizable to the human body on a molecular level are always the best option. The best kids vitamins will not consist of synthetic vitamins that offer little in nutritional value for children.

The most balanced formulas of children’s vitamins will also include:

• All essential and non-essential vitamins and minerals
• Calcium/magnesium/vitamin D
• Probiotics for intestinal, oral, and dental health
• Antioxidants
• Lutein for eye and skin protection
• Vitamin K2 for immune, blood, and bone health

Other Things to Consider
Before you start giving your children vitamins, closely evaluate their diet. Children who eat fish more than twice a week may not need a supplement of essential fatty acids (EFAs). Those who are vegetarians or picky eaters may need extra supplementation. Certain health conditions may warrant specific types of nutrients. It’s always a good idea to talk with your child’s pediatrician before giving any type of supplementation.

While even the best kids multivitamins will not make up for a poor diet, they can go a long way towards helping to support balanced nutrition. By focusing on healthy habits, a balanced diet, and vitamin supplementation, you can give them valuable tools for building good health now and for many years to come.