When You Should Consider Infant Vitamin Drops for Your Baby

Like many new parents, you may be concerned that your baby isn’t getting enough nutrients from breast milk or infant formula. If you have a fussy baby, you may be particularly worried. Are infant vitamin drops the answer? Here are some guidelines to help you determine if your baby’s diet needs a nutritional boost.

Experts often disagree on whether or not babies need infant vitamin drops – especially for those who don’t show any particular signs of a deficiency. The naysayers believe that babies don’t need additional vitamins and minerals beyond what is provided in breast milk or formula. The vitamin proponents feel that vitamin drops for infants can work as an insurance policy to ensure that gaps in nutritional requirements are bridged.
Most pediatricians tackle the vitamin issue on a case-by-case basis, and believe that infant vitamin drops that contain vitamin D can be particularly beneficial. For babies who are breastfed beyond the age of six months, this is especially the case.

Beyond multivitamins, calcium supplements can also be beneficial. After a baby has reached 12 months, most start drinking milk. However, not all children like or can tolerate milk. This can cause a deficiency in calcium that can lead to potential health problems. The calcium requirement in toddlers ages one to three is 500 mgs per day. Both milk and calcium-fortified foods can contribute to a baby getting enough to support proper growth and development. A calcium supplement can also help. It’s important to note that vitamin D is necessary to facilitate the absorption of calcium.

Of course, there is a wide range of vitamins and minerals that a baby needs to thrive, and to obtain these, a balanced diet is necessary either through breast milk, infant formula, solid foods, or a combination of the three. Babies who are fussy eaters are often lacking in a variety of nutrients, and infant vitamin drops are a convenient way to provide these. Animal Parade Baby Plex liquid vitamins are a favorite of many parents of babies because of the superior quality, flavor and convenient dropper applicator. Because they are hypo-allergenic, gluten-free, and vegetarian, they can be administered safely to nearly every baby to help ensure balanced nutrition.

Can Children's Multivitamins Help Kids Who Have Failure to Thrive

Children’s multivitamins are often prescribed to kids who have been diagnosed with failure to thrive (FTT). This is a common condition that can often be corrected with prompt diagnosis and intervention to prevent malnutrition and developmental problems.

Both medical and social factors often contribute to FTT. However, it is often not identified unless there is careful attention to plotting of growth parameters at routine checkups.  Typically a child who has been diagnosed with failure to thrive need additional calories and nutrients provided in children’s multivitamins to catch up in growth.

There are both organic and nonorganic classifications of FTT. The medical disorder can be caused by feeding problems, family stress, inadequate absorption, excess metabolic demand, or defective utilization. Very often, stress and psychosocial factors contribute to FTT.

The first action when FTT is suspected is to identify the underlying cause and correct it. This can be managed by nutrition intervention, including the introduction of children’s vitamin supplements, as well as feeding behavior modification. Some medical experts recommend choosing a children’s multivitamin with zinc as the mineral helps to reduce the energy cost of weight gain during catch-up growth.

The condition is very important to treat because there are serious consequences to not treating it such as short stature, behavior problems, and developmental delays. Early diagnosis is optimal, and with the correct course of treatment, there is a good chance of a good outcome.

If you suspect that your child may be suffering from FTT, it’s important to seek a physician’s care. They can provide you with the best advice and will often recommend a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates the help of a nurse, dietician, social worker, and psychologist. A recommendation of children’s vitamin supplements and a high calorie diet is usually also prescribed.  Learn more about Failure to Thrive.

Four Reasons Why Your Baby Might Need Baby Multi Vitamins

Whether you have a baby who is exclusively breastfeeding or a toddler who is refusing to eat green food, it can be confusing and downright worrisome for a parent who is concerned about ensuring their child’s nutrition. Even moms and dads who are lucky enough to have tots who eat what’s in front of them wonder if they should be also providing baby multi vitamins.

There are many differing opinions when it comes to baby multi vitamins. And, even the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t take an official stand on the subject. Thus, it’s always a good idea to start with your child’s pediatrician to find out if multi vitamins for babies are something you should be incorporating into your child’s diet or not.

What is agreed upon is that there are clear nutritional situations that do warrant supplementing with baby multi vitamins. The following are some of the most common of these:

Your Baby Is Breastfed Exclusively
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants have a minimum intake of 200 IU of vitamin D per day. Babies who are exclusively breastfed are getting a host of nutrients from their mothers’ milk. However, they are not getting ample enough amounts of vitamin D which is commonly found in infant formula. Vitamin D is also produced by the body when the skin is exposed to the sun, but babies are typically kept out of the sun to protect them from potential sun damage. To ensure that a baby is getting enough vitamin D to support healthy bone growth is to provide a daily baby multi vitamin.

You’re Breastfeeding and You Are a Vegan
Babies get a wide range of vitamins from their mothers including vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, and omega 3 fatty acids. These nutrients are often lacking in vegans, and thus, their babies are also at risk of having certain nutritional deficiencies. If you follow a vegan diet and are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s wise to tell your baby’s pediatrician to determine if there is a need to supplement with baby multi vitamins. Often, a liquid drop multi vitamin can bridge that nutritional gap.

Your Baby Won’t Eat Iron-Rich Foods
While there is iron in breast milk, the level of it drops significantly after six months of breastfeeding. At this point, most babies are beginning to eat solid foods include iron-fortified cereals and legumes. For premature babies and those who can’t or don’t want to eat iron-rich foods, iron supplementation is sometimes required. A simple blood test can determine if your baby is iron deficient.

Your Baby Is Crying Excessively
A recent study from the Public Health Service in the Netherlands has shown a link between babies of mothers whose blood contained low levels of vitamin B12 and prolonged episodes of crying in their babies. Some experts now believe that the lack of B12 in babies causes the sleep hormone melatonin to not be released fully resulting in longer bouts of crying. Thus, a baby multivitamin formula that contains the daily requirement of B12 may help make up for a deficiency that might be linked with sleeplessness and crying.

Vitamins for Babies Can Help Support Early Brain Development

Prenatal vitamins are highly encouraged during pregnancy for women. Doesn’t it simply make sense to continue to provide vitamins and minerals to your baby after birth?

Yes, breast milk provides most of the nutrients needed for a growing infant or baby. However, vitamins for babies can also help support brain and body development especially during the crucial early stages of life.
Vitamins B12, C, and D are particularly important for early brain development, and many pediatricians are now prescribing these vitamins for babies to complement either breast milk or formula.

Interestingly, a baby is born with over one hundred billion brain cells. Because of this, balanced nutrition is vital for healthy brain development. The following vitamins for infants and babies are vital for getting the right nutrition to support a growing baby’s brain.

Folic Acid
One of the eight B vitamins, folic acid is a must for expecting mothers. It’s also one of the most important vitamins for babies. Why? It helps support the healthy development of the brain and spinal cord.

Vitamin C
Also known as L-ascorbic acid, vitamin C helps produce neurotransmitters enabling the brain to transmit information from one neuron to another. It also supports the development of intelligence, cognition, and even eyesight. New studies are showing that vitamin C can even help prevent behavioral problems. Nearly all multi vitamins for babies have at least 100 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C.

Vitamin D
Deficiency of vitamin D is becoming an increasing problem as parents are minimizing sun exposure for their babies. This vitamin that is necessary for the development of the cerebrum is derived for the most part from the sun’s rays. Without it, a baby can suffer from problems with memory, motor control, and learning development.

Of course, it’s important to discuss vitamins for babies with your pediatrician before administering any supplement to your child. If a nutritional supplement such as a multi-vitamin can be beneficial, choose a natural, sugar-free formula like Nature’s Plus Animal Parade. It’s a high quality, multivitamin liquid drop that is balanced for optimal absorption and formulated for supporting development during these early stages of life.

Learn How Kids DHA Supplements Can Support Your Child’s Health

There’s a lot of information out there about DHA for kids and whether it makes sense to give children kids DHA supplements. There are many opinions, and new research findings continue to get published on the topic. What is known is that omega-3 fatty acids (both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)) are necessary for good health in both children and adults.

Why Is DHA for Kids So Important?
DHA is necessary for brain development, not unlike how calcium is required for bone growth. When a child is deficient in DHA, emotional and intellectual development can be negatively affected. For kids to get the recommended amount of DHA, they would typically need to eat fish at least twice a week. Fatty fish like tuna and salmon have more DHA than leaner fish like sole and trout.

Parents have it easy when it comes to kids who like to eat fish. However, most children aren’t that enthusiastic about it. This is where kids DHA supplements make sense.  Yes, there are plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as flaxseed and walnuts. But, they do not convert well into DHA in the body. This is why many adult vegetarians opt to take fish oil supplements to get their daily requirement.

Studies Prove the Importance of Kids DHA Supplements
A recent study of children ages 7 to 9 who had below average reading scores were tested for DHA levels. They were found to have low levels of DHA and other omega-3 fats. Other studies have shown a link between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and low levels of DHA.

Even research studying infants has shown significant benefits of DHA. Specifically, higher levels of DHA were connected with better performance on learning, vocabulary, and intelligence tests.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate more DHA into your child’s diet is with a natural supplement like Animal Parade DHA chewables which provide the essential fatty acids needed for brain development in a delicious softgel kids love.

With Multi Vitamins Kids Can Get the Nutrients They Need for Studying

It’s simply a fact that children who receive proper nutrition each and every day perform better in school than those who don’t. With multi vitamins kids can obtain the vitamins and minerals that they are lacking in their diet.

Children are continuously growing both physically and mentally throughout their early years. It only makes sense that they need a balanced diet of nutrients to support proper brain function.  The challenge is always getting kids to eat the foods necessary to get adequate amounts of essential vitamins and minerals. In many cases, the addition of multi vitamins for kids can be the solution.

When choosing multi vitamins, kids need a well-rounded formula that provides a full range of vitamins and minerals to boost brain power. Here’s what to look for:

Vitamin C
Almost all multi vitamins for kids contain vitamin C, and for good reason! It is essential for keeping the immune system functioning properly. Vitamin C also helps in the production of neurotransmitters in the brain which help process information learned in school.

B Vitamins
B vitamin deficiencies can produce a range of negative physical effects on kids including memory loss, sluggishness, and mental slowness. You will want to specifically look for vitamins for kids that contain the daily requirement of both vitamin B12 and B6.

Vitamin E
As an antioxidant, vitamin E helps the brain function properly by protecting red blood cells from damage.

Iron
This important mineral is often found in multi vitamins. Kids formulas of multi vitamins should have no more than 100% of the daily requirement.

Multi Vitamins Kids Will Like
It’s important to discuss vitamins for kids with your doctor. You will want to mention any medications, supplements, and medical issues so that you can receive information on how and if you should provide your child with a multi vitamin.

Most children prefer chewable multi vitamins for kids. Leading brands, such as Animal Parade Gold Children’s Chewable offers a complete formula of vitamins and minerals along with great natural fruit flavors.

The Advantages of Natural Vitamins for Babies

Because of the rapid growth rate of infants and older babies, their need for consistent, balanced nutrition is vital. Ideally, these nutritional needs should be met by providing breast milk, fortified formula and healthy meal choices rich in vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins once then begin eating solid food. However, many babies are fussy eaters, and others require additional nutrients because of specific health issues. This is when it may make sense to explore natural vitamins for babies.

If you are wondering if you should be introducing a vitamin into your baby’s diet, the first step is to discuss your baby’s nutritional needs with your pediatrician. Most likely he or she will have a definitive opinion about the need for a multi-vitamin for babies. Don’t be hesitant to ask if there is truly a reason for vitamin supplementation a. In many cases, they will be getting sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals through breast milk or formula. At this early age, baby food only supplies a small portion of the daily requirements needed.

If supplementation could be beneficial to your baby’s health, you will need to evaluate supplements to determine which one will provide the most optimal benefits. Typically, a natural vitamin for babies is preferable because it will be free of artificial colors, preservatives, sweeteners, and flavors. This type of supplementation is also often free of yeast, wheat, soy, and milk which can be a good choice for babies with food allergies and sensitivities. A multi-vitamin for babies is usually in the form of a liquid drop to make them easy to administer – particularly for infants. These drops, such as Animal Parade Baby Plex Sugar-Free Liquid Drops, can be simply mixed with juice or water.

Keep in mind that the need for supplementation will change as your baby grows. In some cases, a multi-vitamin for babies isn’t necessary once they are receiving the majority of their daily calories from food. But, some older babies who are becoming more active require supplementation to meet their daily requirements. Again, it’s important to discuss these needs with your pediatrician.

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies found in babies, and it is one to specifically watch out for. This is particularly true for infants being breast-fed by malnourished women or those who are lacking sufficient sunlight exposure. If you live in a region where there is minimal sunlight or if you have a baby with darker skin, it’s quite possible that your baby is deficient in vitamin D.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released new recommendations for vitamin D supplementation, and now suggests that infants and children have a minimum daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D each day. Thus, it’s a good idea to specifically check on the labels of natural vitamins for babies to determine if there is sufficient vitamin D.

While it can be somewhat challenging to determine the specific nutritional needs of your baby, it’s a good idea to keep track of their consumption of breast milk, formula, solid foods, and supplements and share this information with your pediatrician. Together, with this information, you’ll have the best chance of creating a nutritional plan that will meet the needs of your baby.

Childrens Multi Vitamins Can Bridge the Nutritional Gap

Have you asked yourself if your children’s diet is balanced? It’s most likely not if they’re primarily eating fast-fixed, pre-made, and packaged meals. Because of the ever increasing popularity of these processed foods, the need for childrens multi vitamins is growing.

There are a variety of factors that play a part in a balanced diet for children. Eating habits, appetite, the quantity and quality of the food provided, how it is prepared, food sensitivities, and allergies can all affect the amount of nutrition a child takes in.

Presently, the North American diet is high in processed, refined foods that contain high levels of sugar, simple carbohydrates, artificial color and flavorings, preservatives, and fat. Most of these foods also have few vitamins and minerals and don’t have measurable amounts of fiber. A diet that primarily consists of processed foods can lead to a variety of metabolic conditions including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

Studies have shown that more than 50 percent of children do not get even the recommended daily allowance of many nutrients. And when a child isn’t getting sufficient nutrients from their diet, childrens multi vitamins can be a big benefit.

Making healthy diet choices can be tough when you are dealing with a picky eater. And, it’s never a good idea to assume that your growing boy or girl is getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals just because they’re eating the average home-cooked meal or school lunch. In many cases, these children are not.

Multi vitamins for kids can serve as nutritional insurance by providing in supplement form the nutrients that are needed each and every day. In fact, supplementation combined with a well-rounded diet is often the best choice for meeting a growing child’s nutritional requirements.

What to Look for in Childrens Multi Vitamins
If your child could benefit from multi vitamins for kids, it’s always a smart idea to choose a supplement that provides all essential vitamins and minerals along with enzymes and bioflavonoids for absorption and activity. Adequate levels of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 along with lutein and probiotics are also important.

By providing your child with high quality childrens multi-vitamins, you’re investing in their long-term health and well-being.

ABCs of Multi-vitamins for Kids?

Grocery and drugstore shelves have many choices when it comes to multi-vitamins for kids. From tablets and gummies to liquid drops in every color of the rainbow, it can be confusing to figure out which vitamin is the best choice for your child.

For many children, simply eating a well balanced diet is sufficient. However, for those who are underweight, have chronic illness, or have more active lifestyles, multi-vitamins for kids that contain a balanced formula of vitamins and minerals may be necessary to support healthy growth.

The following guidelines can help you ensure that your kids are getting the nutrients they need.

When to Introduce Multi-vitamins for Kids

Before introducing any type of supplement into your child’s normal routine, it’s a good idea to first talk to their pediatrician or dietician. They can help you determine if there is anything lacking in their diet, and what vitamins and minerals will be beneficial.

Check Formulas

Individuals of any age can consume too many vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins such as E, D, K, and A are particularly risky in large doses because the body stores the excess, and these can cause dangerous levels of toxicity to form. When evaluating labels of multi-vitamins for kids, make sure to carefully read the nutritional information to ensure there vitamins and minerals aren’t exceeding daily recommendations.

What about Natural Vitamins?

Artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives are all readily found in most big brand kids’ vitamins. If you are taking the time to ensure your child’s good nutrition by giving them multi-vitamins for kids, doesn’t it make sense to ensure that they are safe and natural? Yes, they may cost slightly more than those found in the grocery stores, but they will be free of unsafe ingredients which can be harmful to children. Animal Parade natural vitamins from Nature’s Plus is one brand that has combined a complete vitamin and formula with natural health foods including spirulina, carrot, broccoli, whole brown rice, and spinach.

Vitamin Safety

Many multi-vitamins for kids look like candy to children. So, it’s very important to keep them stored as you would prescription medications. Overdoses can be extremely dangerous, so an ounce of prevention can go a long way. As well, make sure that safety caps are placed on bottles and that you follow the recommended dosages as stated on the label.

Stay Focused on Healthy Eating

It’s always better for your children to obtain essential vitamins and minerals from the foods they eat. Currently, over half of children are not getting the recommended intake for calcium, and nearly a third are not obtaining enough vitamin E, zinc, or iron in their diet. So, striving to meet dietary requirements through food is a must each and every day. Good eating habits are acquired over time and can stick with a child for a lifetime. Don’t rely on just supplements for nutrition. A healthy diet is a must!

What Makes Natural Vitamins Better for Kids

Whether you have a fussy toddler or a teenager engaged in athletics, meeting your child’s nutritional needs on a daily basis can be a big challenge. All kids require a wide range of nutrients to fuel their growing bodies. Ideally, these nutrients are consumed in the foods that they eat. However, it’s not always possible, and this is when it’s worth introducing natural vitamins for kids into their daily regime.

Some of the key nutrients that are most likely to be lacking in your child’s diet are:

• Calcium
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin D
• Zinc
• Iron

All of these can be provided in natural vitamins for kids.  However, most of the store brands of vitamins contain synthetic vitamins that, on a molecular level, the body cannot identify or absorb effectively. Food-based nutrients in vitamin supplements for kids are simply a smarter choice. Studies have shown that food-based nutrients are absorbed more than 70% more efficiently than synthetic vitamins.

Yes, natural vitamins for kids do sometimes cost more than the chain store brand vitamins. However, they are more beneficial because they are better absorbed, and they are also free of less than ideal additives such as corn syrup, aspartame, food colorings, and preservatives.

Animal Parade from Nature’s Plus, is one line of trusted natural vitamins for kids that contains nutrients from whole vegetables and fruits, including green super food extracts that facilitate vitamin and mineral absorption. They also contain bioflavonoids, botanical extracts, as well as natural forms of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. Their line of vitamin supplements for kids is also sweetened with xylitol which is natural and tooth-friendly.

Of course, every child’s nutritional needs are different. This is why there are many varieties of natural vitamins for kids. The most common include multivitamins, essential fatty acid supplements, calcium and vitamin D supplements, probiotics, and antioxidants. Because there are many options to choose from, it’s a good idea to discuss with your child’s pediatrician which, if any, supplements could be beneficial.

And, it’s always worth repeating that it’s vital to always provide a healthy, well-balanced diet for your child. No amount of supplementation can make up for skipped meals, junk food, and soda. With a combination of a healthy diet and natural vitamins for kids, you can have peace of mind that your child is getting what they need to thrive.

Kids Vitamins – When You Should Start Giving Children’s Vitamins to Your Kids

Regardless of how hard you try to get your kids to eat nutritious, healthy meals, it’s simply a fact that most children do not get all the nutrients they need.  With the right children’s vitamins, you can ensure they are getting the nutrients they need to keep them thriving.

Babies and Children’s Vitamins
Many new parents worry that their babies are not getting enough vitamins and minerals through breast milk. Breast milk does meet babies’ complex nutritional needs. However, breast fed babies are often lacking in vitamin D which is necessary for producing strong bones.

Vitamin D is obtained through sun exposure and fortified foods. It is also found in most brands of children’s vitamins.  If your baby does not get sun exposure and isn’t drinking vitamin D fortified formula, it may be necessary to introduce children’s vitamins.

Toddlers and Children’s Vitamins
Once a child turns one, their diet is mostly solid foods and milk to fill their caloric needs. The majority of vitamins and minerals should be coming from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to get kids to consume the recommended daily number of servings from each group.

Most dieticians will agree that the top nutrients for parents to closely monitor in their toddlers’ diets are:

• Calcium
• Fiber
• Folic acid
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Omega 3 fatty acids (DHA)
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Zinc

The majority of kids do not get enough of one or more of these nutrients. Because of this, children’s vitamins can be beneficial. With the body and brain growing rapidly, particularly up to age three, a multi-vitamin can provide a little reassurance that all nutritional needs are being met.

How to Choose the Best Children’s Vitamins
It’s essential to carefully read the labels of children’s vitamins. Not all brands are created equal. Many parents are shocked to find out that some of the most popular brands contain additives including hydrogenated vegetable oil, artificial dyes, aspartame, and butylated hydroxytoluene (a preservative that is suspected to be a carcinogen). Labels should indicate that vitamins contain 50 to 100 percent of the daily recommended value of each key nutrient.

A good place to start is to look at natural children’s vitamins such as Nature’s Plus Animal Parade children’s vitamins and supplements. This line of vitamins takes the guesswork out of nutritional supplementation and makes it easy for you and your kids. 

Can Adults Take Childrens Multi Vitamins?

Children’s multi vitamins are formulated to provide extra nutrition for children. However, they are often taken by adults for a variety of reasons. Some individuals have difficulty swallowing large vitamin tablets and prefer the chewable childrens multivitamins for ease of use. Others are simply short on time and just grab a couple of their kids’ supplements when they’re giving them to their children. Whatever the reason, children’s multi vitamins are not always the best choice for adults. However, they will typically do no harm either.

The Nutritional Needs of Adults and Children Are Different
While an eight year old child and a 30 year old adult both need the same amount of calcium according to the United States Department of Agriculture, their iron needs are dramatically different. Childrens multi vitamins are formulated specifically for the needs of children and typically do not have the optimal amounts for children. With that said, they do offer some amount of nutrition, and some is always better than none!

Caution for Pregnant Women Taking Childrens Multi Vitamins
Pregnant women, according to the American Pregnancy Association, require extra nutrition such as iron, calcium, and folic acid which can help protect against neural tube defects. This is why there are prenatal vitamins designed specifically to support pregnancy. Children’s multivitamins do not provide enough of these nutrients, and thus, these should never be used by pregnant women.

It Begins with a Balanced Diet
Not everyone requires a nutritional supplement. If you are eating a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruit, whole grains, protein, and dairy, you may very well be getting enough that there’s simply no reason to pop children’s multivitamins.

A good place to start is your doctor’s office when it comes to determining the right vitamins and minerals for your specific needs. Your doctor can offer guidelines and suggestions based upon your lifestyle, health, age, and physical needs. You may need a variety of supplements, be ok with children’s multivitamins, or not require any supplementation at all.

With that being said, if you are considering taking children’s multivitamins, a good option is Animal Parade Sugar Free Children’s Chewables by Nature’s Plus. They’re gluten-free, vegetarian, and contain a complete range of essential vitamins along with healthful whole foods including spirulina, carrot, broccoli, whole brown rice, and spinach. With great flavor, they’re delicious for both children and adults!

Can Natural Children’s Vitamins Improve Symptoms of ADD?

If you have a child or children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you have probably read considerable information on strategies for minimizing disruptive symptoms. Much of the latest data related to ADD and ADHD has to do with incorporating natural children’s vitamins into their diet.

Why are vitamins so important in the treatment of ADD and ADHD? There is still much information to be discovered. However, what has been proven is that many symptoms of ADD/ADHD overlap those of vitamin deficiency. For example, serotonin levels are typically low in children who suffer from ADD/ADHD. And, magnesium, vitamin b6, and zinc are all essential for the body to produce serotonin. Thus, adding natural children’s multi vitamins that contain these essential vitamins and minerals can often be beneficial.

Unfortunately, many healthcare providers first prescribe powerful prescription medications before improving nutrition with natural children’s vitamins.  These drugs can have substantial side effects and can impair health. By starting with vitamins, symptoms often go away.

The reality is that there are a variety of factors that can cause the hyperactivity symptoms that often lead to a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD. Undetected issues such as learning disabilities, food and environmental allergies, gastrointestinal problems, yeast overgrowth, heavy metal toxicity, poor diet, emotional distress, and nutritional imbalances can all look like ADD or ADHD.

One of the easiest ways to try and improve symptoms is to give your child a balanced diet and natural children’s vitamins.  Often, simply removing commercially processed foods that are high in sugars, additives, and preservatives can help. Removing caffeine and foods high in salicylates such as apples, berries, almonds, oranges, and tomatoes can also spawn improvements in behavior. Adding well formulated natural children’s multi vitamins can also provide assurance that your child is getting ample nutrition.

What to Look for in Natural Children’s Vitamins
Beneficial nutrients to look for in natural children’s vitamins include vitamin B-complex, folic acid, essential fatty acids, omega 3 oils, and digestive enzymes. It’s also important to choose a formula that is hypo-allergenic, sugar free and without artificial colors such as Animal Parade Gold which is a best-selling multi-vitamin and mineral formula sweetened with xylitol.

What Are the Best Vitamins for Kids with ADHD?

One of the most talked about childhood conditions is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This makes sense since the number of children being diagnosed with the condition is growing rapidly. In fact, nearly one in five high school age boys in the United States and over ten percent of all school age children have received a diagnosis of ADHD, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While there are a variety of prescription medications to treat the condition, many parents are choosing to try more natural treatment options such as incorporating vitamins for kids into their diet.

There is growing evidence that vitamins for kids can reduce symptoms of ADHD. The following are some of the primary nutrients that have been studied by researchers and have shown promise in helping children battling symptoms of this challenging condition.

Zinc
This important mineral has a calming effect on the body, and it helps support a healthy immune system. Holistic doctors who evaluate children for ADHD often look at kids’ nailbeds to determine if they are deficient in zinc. Many picky eaters are deficient, and this is why it’s a good idea to supplement with one of the best vitamins for kids.

Magnesium
This is another important mineral which has the ability to relax nerves and relieve tension. A deficiency in magnesium can cause depression and headaches which are both common in children with ADHD. Most formulas of vitamins for kids supply the daily requirement for magnesium.

B6
The B vitamins are vital for brain health. Interestingly, many children diagnosed with ADHD are deficient in these essential nutrients.

B12
B12 is a vitamin that has been shown to increase the ability to concentrate and focus. Many parents who give their children with ADHD B12 vitamins for kids find that it helps with speech and mood/behavior. This is because the vitamin helps to regulate brain neurotransmitters. B6 and B12 are both found in multi-vitamin formulas for kids.

Probiotics
Some health experts suggest that ADHD is partially caused by a yeast overgrowth in the body. Thus, probiotics can be used to fight off yeast. At the very least, probiotics are helpful for intestinal and dental health. Some multi-vitamin formulas such as Animal Parade Gold Multi Children’s Chewable from Nature’s Plus includes probiotics which makes giving probiotics to a child convenient and easy.

Can Children’s Multi Vitamins Improve Your Child’s School Success?

Your child’s brain grows at a rapid rate throughout their school years. The biochemical process of learning requires balanced nutrition, as well as plenty of sleep, exercise, and hydration. It can be challenging to give many children enough nutrition to adequately feed their brains – especially those who are fussy eaters, very active, or have certain medical conditions. To compensate for a lack of sufficient nutrition in their diet, children’s multi vitamins may be an option to ensure a child is obtaining the nutrients they need to excel in school.

Not sure what is required in your child’s each and every day to facilitate proper brain development? The following offers some guidelines.

Good Fats
Fat was once considered a bad part of the diet. However, much more is known about the benefits of certain types of fat. Considering that the brain consists of 60% fat, it’s easy to understand why it is so necessary for healthy brain development in children. The best fats are omega-3 oils that can be found in fish, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens. B-vitamins that can be found in children’s multi vitamins are also necessary for processing healthy fat so that it benefits the brain.

Protein
Protein helps to create the amino acids that are used to build neurons and receptors in our brains. Protein can be found in nuts, lean meat, and low-fat dairy products.

Carbohydrates
Surprisingly, sugar is a main fuel source for the brain. But, before you reach to give your child that cookie or candy bar, it’s better to offer him or her foods that contain complex carbohydrates such as whole grains. These foods contain energy and fiber and slow the rate of absorption of sugar, as well as B-vitamins and vitamin E – whether they are consumed in food or obtained from natural children’s vitamins.

Micronutrients
There are many micronutrients that are only needed in small amounts that are necessary for brain development and health. These include B-vitamins, zinc, calcium, phytonutrients, and other vitamins and minerals that can be found in quality children’s multi vitamins.

If you want to incorporate natural children’s vitamins into your son or daughters diet, it’s important to choose a supplement formula that contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals. Animal Parade Gold from Nature’s Plus is a good option because of its award-winning taste, sugar-free formula, and complete formula of the nutrients needed to support healthy brain development.

Tips for Getting Your Child to Take Children’s Multi Vitamins

The following tips are to help parents and other caregivers administer children’s multi vitamins.

Small children cannot be expected to swallow tablets or pieces of tablets. Chewable children’s multi vitamins are a safer and easier option than adult capsules or tablets.

Offering vitamins for children before a meal is one of the easiest ways to get them to start a regular habit of taking vitamins.

If your child doesn’t like the taste of a vitamin, you can provide a “chaser” of a piece of fruit, a teaspoon-full of honey, or a small glass of a sweet, non-acidic juice.

Taking vitamins is a learned behavior just like walking. Be consistent to form a routine. The earlier you start to build the routine, the better.

Liquid vitamins for children are a good choice for infants and babies. However, they do not keep as long as other forms of vitamin supplements. It’s important to follow the storing instructions on the label. Most recommend storing liquid vitamins in a cool, dark place. This isn’t the refrigerator, though because of the high humidity. Thus, a dark closet or cabinet is a better choice, out of the sun, out of a car, and definitely out of the reach of children.

Carefully read the labels of any children’s multi vitamins that you’re considering for your child. You will want balanced formula that is preferably sweetened with a natural sweetener like xylitol. As well, you will want one that doesn’t have artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Some children simply do not like to take vitamins regardless of the taste. Most vitamins for children can be added to applesauce or other pureed foods.

If it’s necessary for your child to take vitamins during the school day, almost all schools will require a letter from their pediatrician giving them permission to take supplements at school.

Do your best to make the process of taking vitamins a fun time for children. It shouldn’t be a battle. There are many adults who cannot swallow tablets, and often these individuals were forced to take pills before they wanted to when they were children. Do your best to be patient and consistent when it comes to administering children’s multi vitamins.

Ensure Your Children’s Bone Health with Kids Vitamin D3 drops

Most parents assume that their children are getting adequate amounts of vitamin D from fortified milk. However, recent studies are now concluding that the vast majority of children are deficient in this vital nutrient for bone health. Are kids vitamin d3 supplements something you should consider? The following will provide some guidelines.

Vitamin D enables the body to absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus which are both critical for bone development.  A vitamin D deficiency can lead to a serious condition called rickets, which causes bones to soften and become misshapen. Those who are at greatest risk of acquiring rickets are breastfed babies who do not receive vitamin d in fortified formula, as well as children with certain medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis.

However, many medical experts now believe that the majority of children, as well as adolescents and adults are deficient. Some are even saying that vitamin d3 drops, chewables, or capsules should be taken by everyone, regardless of their age.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) increased their vitamin d recommendations in 2008 from 200 IU to 400 IU per day. The AAP recommends that kids vitamin d3 drops can be administered starting in the first few days of life.

Giving Vitamin D3 Drops 
While chewable supplements are safe for children over the age of three, vitamin d3 drops are the best option for infants, babies, and toddlers. These liquid vitamin preparations can be placed on an index finger to be placed in the baby’s mouth. Alternatively, the drop can be placed on a pacifier so that when the baby sucks, he or she will receive the vitamin.

Kids vitamin d3 drops, as well as all medications and supplements should be kept out of children’s reach at all time.

Other Sources of Vitamin D
In addition to vitamin d3 drops, milk and enriched foods can also add vitamin D to your child’s diet. Fortified foods include cereal, orange juice, and yogurt. Vitamin D is also found naturally in oily fish, like tuna, sardines, anchovies, and trout, cheese, egg yolks, and some mushrooms.

What You Need to Know about Infant Vitamin Supplements and Breastfeeding

More and more new moms are choosing to breastfeed their babies because of the growing list of health benefits of breast milk. However, there are unique nutritional needs for infants who are breastfeeding that are important to understand. These include vitamin D supplementation which can be provided through a liquid infant vitamin.

In 2011, the Institute of Medicine began recommending that breastfed babies (ages newborn to 12 months) receive IU of vitamin D. This recommendation was made because studies were showing that these babies were deficient in this vitamin which is vital for bone development.

A study published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association has further concluded that breast-fed babies need a vitamin D infant vitamin supplement.  However, the American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that only about 10 to 20% of these babies are getting this essential vitamin for infants. Those who are not getting adequate amounts of vitamin D either through an infant vitamin or through fortified formula are at a higher risk of getting rickets, a disorder which can lead to softening and weakening of the bones.

The human body has the ability to produce vitamin D when skin is exposed to the sun. Yet, babies who are typically kept out of direct sunlight are not getting enough exposure to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D. The alternative is an infant vitamin supplement that contains vitamin D. Back in the 1920s, this was given to children in the way of cod liver oil. Now, flavorful liquid drops provide the vitamin for infants safely.

Rickets has become increasingly common over the last two decades as more babies are breastfed and as parents are more diligent about keeping them out of the sun. However, more and more pediatricians and childhood health experts who are spreading the word to parents about the need for vitamin D infant vitamin supplementation for their babies.

Rickets can be seen in children from ages six to 24 months and can include an array of symptoms including bone pain and tenderness, dental deformities, delayed formation of teeth, decreased muscle tone, muscle cramps, short stature, bowlegs, increased cavities, and progressive weakness.

Replacing calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D is the primary treatment for the condition, as well as positioning or bracing devices to reduce or prevent deformities.

Can Children’s Multi Vitamins Improve Your Child’s School Success?

Your child’s brain grows at a rapid rate throughout their school years. The biochemical process of learning requires balanced nutrition, as well as plenty of sleep, exercise, and hydration. It can be challenging to give many children enough nutrition to adequately feed their brains – especially those who are fussy eaters, very active, or have certain physical conditions. To compensate for a lack of sufficient nutrition in their diet, children’s multi vitamins may be an option to ensure a child is obtaining the nutrients they need to excel in school.

Not sure what is required in your child’s each and every day to facilitate proper brain development? The following offers some guidelines.

Good Fats
Fat was once considered a bad part of the diet. However, much more is known about the benefits of certain types of fat. Considering that the brain consists of 60% fat, it’s easy to understand why it is so necessary for healthy brain development in children. The best fats are omega-3 oils that can be found in fish, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens. B-vitamins that can be found in children’s multi vitamins are also necessary for processing healthy fat so that it benefits the brain.

Protein
Protein helps to create the amino acids that are used to build neurons and receptors in our brains. Protein can be found in nuts, lean meat, and low-fat dairy products.

Carbohydrates
Surprisingly, sugar is a main fuel source for the brain. But, before you reach to give your child that cookie or candy bar, it’s better to offer him or her foods that contain complex carbohydrates such as whole grains. These foods contain energy and fiber and slow the rate of absorption of sugar, as well as B-vitamins and vitamin E – whether they are consumed in food or obtained from natural children’s vitamins.

Micronutrients
There are many micronutrients that are only needed in small amounts that are necessary for brain development and health. These include B-vitamins, zinc, calcium, phytonutrients, and other vitamins and minerals that can be found in quality children’s multi vitamins.

If you want to incorporate natural children’s vitamins into your son or daughters diet, it’s important to choose a supplement formula that contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals. Animal Parade Gold from Nature’s Plus is a good options because of its award-winning taste, sugar-free formula, and complete formula of the nutrients needed to support healthy brain development.

How Many Vitamins for Infants Are Enough?

Vitamin D is particularly important for babies during their first 12 months of life. During this time, bones are growing rapidly, and vitamin D along with other vitamins for infants are necessary to facilitate healthy growth and development.

A growing number of health care providers are now encouraging parents to give their infants a daily vitamin D supplement. However, there is still some debate over how much should be given.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the recommended dosage of vitamin D is now 400 IU for infant health.

According to Hope Weiler, a professor in the school of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at McGill University, “There’s sometimes a feeling that more is better. But until now, no one had compared the popularly recommended daily doses of vitamin D to see what will result in optimal health for infants.”

Interestingly, debate over vitamin D for infants is global. For example, the recommended dosage in France and Finland is 1,000 IU. However, in Canada, the dose is 400 IU. The Canadian Pediatric Society takes the recommendations even further by recommending that infants receive 800 IU of vitamin D in the winter months and 400 in the summer.

Vitamin D is often called the sunshine vitamin because most healthy individuals produce enough of the vitamin with exposure to the sun. However, infants and babies who are protected from the sun and who aren’t consuming vitamin D fortified foods are often deficient.

Most researchers now believe that there are no advantages of giving high dosages of vitamin D for infants that exceed 400 IU per day. And, in the case of infants and older babies who are obtaining vitamin D through fortified formula, there may be no reason to supplement at all.

However, vitamins for infants, particularly vitamin D, are often beneficial to those who are breast fed and have minimal sun exposure. For these babies, liquid drops of vitamin D3 can be a smart option. The best choice for vitamin D for infants offers the bioavailable form of vitamin D along with complementary nutrients to optimize absorption and utilization.

What Parents Need to Know about Vitamin Supplements for Infants

As a new parent, you are undoubtedly full of questions about how to care for your baby. From sleeping to eating, your baby’s needs are changing daily, and it can be challenging to figure out exactly what they need, when they need it. One of the most common questions concerns vitamin supplements for infants. Do they need them? And, if so, what type is best, and how often should they be given?

Both formula-fed and breast-fed babies require a wide range of vitamins and minerals. And, it can be challenging to ensure that they are receiving adequate amounts – particularly when they are not yet consuming solid foods.

The following provides some guidelines on vitamin supplements for infants, and when it might be necessary to give your baby a formula designed specifically for infants.

Vitamin D
While the body does make its own vitamin D with exposure to sunlight, infants and toddlers who are kept out of the sun and who are using sunscreen could be at risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Because almost all infant formulas contain vitamin D, most formula-fed babies do not need additional supplementation. However, babies who are exclusively breast fed may require vitamin D drops to receive their daily requirement. Many of the best infant vitamins, such as Animal Parade Baby Plex Sugar-Free Liquid Drops, will contain vitamin D to ensure that this nutritional requirement is being met.

Iron 
Iron is necessary for both growth and development in infants and toddlers. Breast milk supplies ample amounts of iron for a baby’s first six months. However, additional iron is required after that and can be consumed in iron-fortified cereals, dark leafy vegetables, and meat. Most formulas are iron-fortified and can be used throughout the first year of life. Thus, it is rarely necessary to provide iron in the form of a supplement for an infant or toddler. Before doing so, it is very important to consult with your child’s pediatrician.

Once Solid Foods Are Introduced
Most babies begin eating some amounts of food at around four to six months. First starting with iron-fortified cereals, and then progressing on to fruits, vegetables, and meats in the form of pureed foods, some babies will develop significant food preferences and aversions that make it necessary to add vitamin supplements for infants.

Infant and toddler nutritional formulas typically contain balanced amounts of:
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Thiamin
• Riboflavin
• Niacin
• Vitamin B-6
• Vitamin B-12

The percentage of daily value (DV) should not exceed 150% for one vitamin to prevent a possible overdose. And, it is never a good idea to give an infant, toddler, or young child a vitamin supplement for adults. Vitamin supplements for infants are formulated with amounts that meet the needs of small, but growing bodies.

Could a Kids Multivitamin Help with Your Child’s Weight Management?

The percentage of children with obesity has increased substantially over the last two decades. And, there are some very serious risks for children carrying extra weight. With the rise in childhood obesity, heart attacks and type 2 diabetes have both increased substantially for people under 30. Because of these health risks, some parents are seeking out new ways to help their children improve their health and drop unhealthy extra pounds. This includes adding a kids multivitamin to their children’s daily regime.

How Kids Multivitamins Can Help Fight Obesity
A recent study has shown that the amount of fat cells in an adult body is equal to the amount of fat cells in the body when a person is 18 years of age. This gives new insight into why adults who were obese as children have such difficulty managing their weight later in life. It also makes it clear that helping children control their weight early is essential to having a lifetime of good health.

Forming a Healthy Practice
A daily kids multivitamin helps promote healthy practices. By getting kids to think about nutrition on a daily basis, it can start to form an improved routine that includes diet and exercise.

Bridging the Nutritional Gap
Many obese children who are consuming high numbers of calories each day are actually malnourished. This is because what they are taking in offers little in the way of nutritional value. A kids multivitamin can help provide the vitamins and minerals that are needed to support good health.

Supporting Increased Activity
Increased exercise is most often needed in a comprehensive weight loss plan. With more activity, additional nutrition is required. This can be hard to obtain through just the food children eat. If exercise is increased, kids multivitamins can help support the extra demands placed on the body.

Weight loss is challenging at any age. For children, it can be particularly difficult to treat. With a smart nutrition and exercise plan supported by a well-formulated kids multivitamin, children can have the best chance of overcoming this serious health issue.

Storing Strategies for Kids’ Multi Vitamins

Making it a habit to give your children kids’ multi vitamins can help support their growth and long-term health. Yet, how effective and safe the vitamins are has a lot to do with where you store them. The following guidelines can help you increase the lifespan of kids vitamins and enable you to keep them safely stored.

1. Do not store kids’ multi vitamins in the bathroom or kitchen
The vast majority of us store vitamins in either the bathroom or the kitchen, but these locations are not the best locations because of the variances in heat and the additional moisture that is common to these areas. Cool, dry places in your home that are convenient to your daily routine are a much better choice.

2. Keep vitamins out of the refrigerator
Condensation can build on vitamins that are stored in the refrigerator causing them to lose potency.

3. Keep vitamins in their original containers
Confusion over administering vitamins is more likely to happen if they are kept in unmarked containers or old prescription bottles. To ensure you know what you’re giving to your children, always keep kids’ multi vitamins in their original containers.

4. Always check to make sure the child’s safety cap is secure
Vitamins can look like candy. Some even taste nearly as good as candy, too! Don’t take chances by making it possible for your child to open a bottle of vitamins. Take the extra few seconds to ensure the bottle’s cap is securely locked.

5. Keep kids’ multi vitamins out of reach of children
Perhaps, the most important strategy when it comes to the safe storage of kids vitamins is to keep them out of the reach of children. This means in a cabinet or shelf far above where they can reach. Ideally the cabinet should have a lock on it to prevent adventurous children from climbing to new heights to get their hands on their vitamins.

Children’s Vitamin D Supplements for Preventing Kids from Developing Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes increasingly is being diagnosed in children and teenagers. While obesity, a poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle are well-known contributing factors for this largely preventable disease, vitamin D deficiency could also be considered a factor. Because of this, children at risk of developing type 2 diabetes may benefit from incorporating children’s vitamin D supplements into their diets.

A child’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes is 75 percent if both parents have the condition. Could these at risk children benefit from proactively taking children’s vitamin D supplements?

Studies Suggesting Vitamin D Supplements for Children Could Help Reduce the Risk of Acquiring Diabetes
Studies are now being conducted in Denmark to demonstrate a possible link between type 2 diabetes and vitamin D levels less than 25 ng/ml. Currently, 20 ng/ml was considered in the normal range. Many nutrition experts are beginning to consider 30ng/ml and above to me more desirable.

For children, keeping vitamin D levels at the optimal level requires a substantial amount of bare skin to sunshine exposure. UVB rays interact with skin’s cholesterol to initiate a conversion process that generates vitamin D3 to promote other hormonal activity in the body.

For many parents, the desire to avoid sun exposure is putting children at risk of vitamin D deficiency. This is why pediatricians frequently recommend vitamin D supplements for children. While these supplements are frequently prescribed for children with other conditions such as asthma, allergies, and ADD/ADHD, there could be measurable benefits for children to take children’s vitamin D supplements if they are at risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes.

The most effective formulas of children’s vitamin D supplements are those that contain vitamin D3 that support optimal growth and long-term health. By providing a daily amount of this essential vitamin, parents may be able to help reduce the risk of their children acquiring type 2 diabetes.

Natural Vitamins for Toddlers to Prevent Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency has become one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in toddlers and infants because of the increased usage of sunscreen and decreased amount of time in direct sunlight. Although this vitamin is produced by the body with just a few minutes a day of midday sun exposure, many children are not getting enough sunlight to produce sufficient vitamin D. Many pediatricians are now recommending vitamin D in natural vitamins for toddlers or supplemental drops to prevent the occurrence of rickets, a severe deficiency in this important vitamin.

Occurrence of rickets dropped significantly in the 20th century as milk and certain foods began being fortified with vitamin D. However, with dietary changes and a bigger focus on keeping children out of the sun to prevent the risk of skin cancer, a jump in cases of rickets has been seen in the last five years.

If children are not getting enough vitamin D, either from their food, from the sun, or from multi-vitamins for toddlers, there can be significant health ramifications. Vitamin D deficiency can show up in a variety of ways, including stunting overall growth and contributing to bones being weak, brittle, and misshapen. 

Oftentimes, a diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency is made after a child begins to complain of bone or joint pain. Blood work combined with x-rays can show abnormal bone growth. Once a diagnosis is made, vitamin D replacement is typically prescribed along with orthopaedic treatment. 

Of course, the best solution is to prevent vitamin D deficiency from occurring by supplementing with natural vitamins for toddlers and children. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine recommend a daily intake of 400 IUs per day of vitamin D during a child’s first year and 600 IUs for children over the age of one. Most multi-vitamins for toddlers have amounts of vitamin D that are consistent with these recommendations.

There are also foods that contain vitamin D, and these should be included in a balanced diet. Some of the foods with the highest amounts include salmon, tuna, soy milk, shrimp, orange juice, low-fat milk, mushrooms, and yogurt.

Symptoms to Watch for…

Interestingly, vitamin D deficiency is commonly misdiagnosed because there are a wide variety of symptoms. Besides painful bones and joints, the following can also be an indicator of a deficiency:

• An unusually high incidence of respiratory infections

• Muscle weakness

• Psoriasis

• Kidney disease

• Asthma

• Periodontal disease

• Depression

If you suspect that your child may have a vitamin D deficiency, it’s important to consult with their pediatrician. A prescription for over-the-counter vitamin D supplements, such as Animal Parade Vitamin D3 liquid drops, or multi-vitamins for toddlers or children will most likely be made as a preventative measure. Nearly all medical professionals agree that a proactive approach to preventing vitamin D deficiency is a good idea because it can enable your child to avoid a host of chronic diseases and conditions that can last a lifetime. 

Incorporating vitamin supplements for kids into your summer eating plan

The lazy, hazy days of summer usually means lots of free time for the kids and hopefully healthy meals along with vitamin supplements for kids to make up for any nutritional gaps.  Unfortunately, with daily routines not as planned as during the school year and plenty of access to the refrigerator and pantry, summer eating can be a time when good nutrition goes right out the window.

Trips to the local ice cream shop, hot dogs at the ballpark, and cotton candy at the fair can only add to the challenges of good nutrition. With these challenges, many parents wonder how they can better manage their children’s nutrition in the summer months and whether or not they should be incorporating vitamin supplements for kids.

Without a good plan, the risk of weight gain grows substantially. And, the early onset of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are possibilities. The following tips can help you keep your children healthy through these fun, school-free months.

Get Excited about Summer Fruit
In most parts of the country, there is no shortage of summer fruit choices. From berries to apricots, peaches, and melons, kids enjoy the sweetness of a fresh piece of fruit. To get them interested in the variety of summer fruits, head to your local farmer’s market, and let them help pick out what they want to eat. Fruit can also be creatively used in frozen pops and baked treats like cobblers and crisps for summer desserts that are far healthier than cakes and cookies. While the best children’s vitamins can provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals, it’s always a good idea to get the bulk of these nutrients through fresh food.

Avoid the Fast Food
When the temperatures begin to climb, you may not want to turn on the stove or oven to cook a meal. But, don’t get tempted to head to the drive-thru window of your local fast food joint. There are plenty of great meals that you can make quickly with having to cook. Think turkey sandwiches, salads, wraps, salads, and healthy dips with plates of mixed fruits and vegetables. Not only will your kids eat better, you’ll save money, too!

Keep Track of Activities
Summer is usually when kids are swimming, playing games at camp, hiking, biking, and just enjoying plenty of active time outdoors. With extra calories being burned, kids often reach for junk food and sodas to satisfy their increased hunger and thirst. To avoid this situation from occurring, make sure to incorporate plenty of healthy proteins such as lean meat, low-fat dairy, nuts, and legumes into meals. And, consider adding vitamin supplements for kids into their daily routine to ensure that their daily requirements of vitamins and minerals are being met.

Evaluate Summer Camp Menus
If your child is attending a day or overnight camp, it’s also a good idea to evaluate what they’ll be eating so that you can help them stick with their healthy eating choices. If you aren’t happy with what they’ll be served, consider packing healthy lunches for them or discussing the meal options with the camp management. Yes, vitamin supplements for kids can help bridge the gap in eating, but you still want to make sure that they are consistently getting healthy meals each and every day.

If you will be supplementing, choose one of the best children’s vitamins and don’t just grab the first brand you see on the grocery store shelf. Nature’s Plus Animal Parade line of vitamin supplements for kids is highly recommended by many because of their natural formulas and great taste.

Using Diet and the Best Vitamins for Kids to Combat Childhood Obesity

Could the best vitamins for kids help solve the obesity crisis in the United States? Childhood obesity has become a problem of nearly epidemic proportions throughout the country. In fact, one out of three children is considered to be overweight or obese and the obesity rate has more than tripled in the last 50 years.

Two primary factors have contributed more to the obesity crisis than any others. First, children today are getting less exercise and playtime than previous generations. With the rise of video games, hand-held mobile devices, PCs, and cable TV, kids are spending more time in front of screens and far less time outside playing
The second factor is nutrition. With busy schedules, parents are less likely to be feeding their children home-cooked meals and are more often heading through the drive-thru line after work. With processed, high-fat, high-sodium food on the menu most nights, weight gain is nearly inevitable, particularly when it’s coupled with low amounts of physical activity.

A healthy diet and a regular exercise regime are essential for every child’s good health. This means meals rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and low-fat dairy. Highly processed, fried, or sugary foods should be avoided.

Of course, offering healthy meals and getting kids to eat them are two different things. Picky eaters can often be lacking in essential vitamins and nutrients. This is when it makes sense to supplement with one of the best vitamins for kids on the market. Children’s vitamins that contain a balanced formula of vitamins and minerals can actually help reduce fat and jump start weight loss while also filling in the nutritional gaps.

A study from 2010 showed that children’s vitamins combined with a healthy, well-balanced diet can stimulate a rise in basal metabolic rate (the rate at which the body burns calories when at rest). As well, specific vitamins within supplements have weight-loss effects. For example, a lack of vitamin D, which may be the most common deficiency in the United States, can contribute to weight gain. Thus, taking a multivitamin with vitamin D can be beneficial. As well, B vitamins and calcium can also help support healthy weight loss.

Of course, the best vitamins for kids are those that have natural flavor and aren't sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. You will also want to choose a formula that is hypo-allergenic, gluten-free, or vegetarian if you have a child who is on a restricted diet due to health issues.

By combining a good diet and children’s vitamins, you can help promote a healthy lifestyle that will help prevent weight gain now and into the future.

Multi-vitamins For Kids To Meet Nutritional Needs

If you’re a parent, you know that it can be a daily battle to get kids to eat nutritiously. Incorporating enough fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains into their diet is tough under the best of circumstances. Because of this, it can be beneficial to add multi-vitamins for kids to their daily routine.

Of course, children, as well as adults, should get the bulk of their nutrition from healthy foods. When it’s not possible because of dietary restrictions or pickiness, you naturally want to choose the best children’s vitamins.

While chain grocery and drug stores carry many brands of multi-vitamins for kids, most of these are not all-natural, and many have unhealthy ingredients such as synthetic dyes, aspartame, hydrogenated vegetable oil, artificial flavors, and other additives. These are not good options for children.
Alternatively, it’s better to choose natural multi-vitamins for kids that are hypo-allergenic, gluten-free, and vegetarian.

Nature’s Plus Animal Parade Multi Children’s Chewable is one such supplement that can help provide essential nutrients without the unhealthy additives. Known as one of the best children’s vitamins on the market, Animal Parade features a formula containing vitamin D3, vitamin K2, over 20 certified organic whole foods, all essential vitamins and minerals, probiotics, lutein for eye and skin protection, enzymes, and bioflavonoids.

Their formula also contains xylitol as a sweetener which helps to reduce the risk of tooth decay, but doesn’t have the health risks associated with artificial sweeteners like aspartame.

Along with multi-vitamins for kids, there are also other types of supplements that may be beneficial depending on your child’s particular nutritional needs. For example, calcium supplements can be helpful for kids who have dairy allergies or sensitivities. A good calcium supplement can help support bone growth during the important growing years and beyond.

Probiotics and acidophilus are often recommended by doctors for children with intestinal difficulties. Zinc and vitamin C supplements can be particularly beneficial during cold and flu season. And, nutritional shakes are a great source of protein and fruits & vegetables for kids who are underweight, involved in sports, or just picky eaters.

It’s always a good idea to first discuss multi-vitamins for kids with your child’s pediatrician prior to purchasing a particular formula. They can advise you on any specific nutrients that may be particularly beneficial for your child’s health needs.

Once you have the go-ahead, choose the best children’s vitamins based upon nutritional ingredients and establish a specific time when you will provide them to your child. The goal should be to establish a habit so that a vitamin simply becomes a natural, regular activity like brushing teeth or making the bed.

Tips for Adding a Multi-Vitamin for Children into a Well-Balanced Diet

If you’re like most parents, you occasionally struggle with getting your kids to eat a well-balanced diet on a consistent basis. A multi-vitamin for children can be a helpful solution for making up for the nutritional deficiencies that are so common today.

One of the biggest threats to children’s overall health now is poor nutrition. With a growing obesity problem and children eating more processed and fast food than ever before, offering healthy meals and natural vitamins for kids can go a very long way in ensuring their health and well-being as they grow.

Many mothers and fathers wonder just how and when to start giving a multi-vitamin for children. The following guidelines can help you incorporate a multi-vitamin into your child’s daily routine.

Determine What Is Lacking In Your Child’s Diet
Does your child utterly dislike leafy greens or can’t tolerate drinking milk? Perhaps, they are just inconsistent in their eating habits. Before doling out vitamins, consider where they might be nutritionally deficient, and start your search for a supplement that addresses these deficiencies.

Opt for Natural Vitamins for Kids 
While there are countless vitamin choices out there, your best bet is to choose a high quality multi-vitamin for children that is hypo-allergenic, gluten-free, and vegetarian. The best will contain organic whole foods and natural flavoring. Nature’s Plus is one trusted brand that specializes in natural vitamins for kids. Their Animal Parade Gold Multi Children’s Chewable is a favorite of kids!

Let Your Child Choose the Form of Vitamin
Kids uniquely have their own preferences when it comes to the form of multi-vitamin for children that they prefer. Some will enjoy chewables or gummies, and others prefer getting their supplement in the form of a shake or other type of liquid. Be respectful of their preferences because the goal is to get them to want to take their vitamins on a regular basis. You don’t want to make this a battle!

Start a Habit
Good habits are essential when it comes to health and nutrition. And, this definitely applies to natural vitamins for kids. To get your child to take a supplement on a regular basis, it is a good idea to determine a set time each day for it. Whether this is after dinner or before school, pick a time and stick with it so that they get into a habit that is easy to remember.

Regularly Assess Their Nutritional Needs
Your child’s nutritional needs will shift over time. For example, they may require more calories and different types of nutritional supplements as they become more active in sports or during times of growth spurts. You will want to closely monitor these changes and even talk with their pediatrician on how best to adapt to them to make sure that dietary requirements are being met.

A multi-vitamin for children can help round out a healthy diet and establish good nutritional habits at an early age. By using the above guidelines, you can help to ensure a lifetime of healthy nutrition for your child.

When Is the Right Time to Introduce a Multi-Vitamin for Children into Your Child’s Diet?

Many medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association recommend that healthy children should obtain their vitamins and minerals from their diet. However, they also stress that there are many health reasons that would necessitate a multi-vitamin for children.

Some of the reasons to introduce a multi-vitamin for children include:

• Being underweight
• Restricted diets
• Illness
• Exclusively breastfed 

Before you begin looking for the best multi-vitamin for children, it’s important to first take a close look at your child’s diet. You will want to ensure that they are getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. You will also want to minimize saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and sugar.

If there are gaps in adequate nutrition levels, it may be time to consider a multi-vitamin for children. Of course, it’s always a good idea to first consult with your child’s pediatrician prior to giving supplements. If a supplement will be helpful, you will want to look for a natural multi-vitamin for children that doesn’t consist of synthetic vitamins. These should be derived from natural food sources.

The top vitamins to look for in a multi-vitamin for children

• Vitamin A - Promotes growth and development, bone and tissue repair, healthy eyes, skin, and immune response. 
• Vitamin Bs – B vitamins help energy production, metabolism, as well as the circulatory and nervous systems. 
• Vitamin C – Promotes immune response and healthy muscles, skin, and connective tissue.
• Vitamin D – Promotes tooth and bone formation.
• Calcium – Promotes bone growth and strength.
• Iron – Builds muscles and is necessary for red blood cell production. 

Ideally, it’s best for your children to get these nutrients from the foods that they eat. This can only be accomplished if they are eating a wide range of whole, fresh foods and staying away from fast or processed foods. The most high-vitamin foods are fresh fruits and vegetables followed by low-fat dairy, whole grains, and lean meat.

Sadly, many children today are both overweight and malnourished because of poor diet. Shifting eating habits can be challenging, and a multi-vitamin for children can help with the transition towards a healthier lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, exercise, and nutritional supplementation.

Nature’s Plus has created a line of vitamins and supplements that are for a variety of specific dietary needs. Nature's Plus Animal Parade® supplements are designed to make nutritional supplementation easy for both parents and kids. Considered the best multi-vitamin formulas for children, Animal Parade promote good health with whole foods and green super-foods extracts and concentrates, bioflavonoids, botanical extracts, and naturally derived essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids.  And, they taste great which can enable your child to easily incorporate taking a supplement as part of their daily life.

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.

What Nutrients Can Be Found in the Best Vitamins for Kids?

Good nutrition for any kid starts with a healthy diet. But, when supplementation is needed, you want to make sure that you’re choosing the best vitamins for kids. Not all vitamins are created equal – especially when it comes to natural vitamins for kids. However, the right formula can help ensure that you child is getting the nutrients they need to thrive.

A healthy diet is obviously the foundation for overall health in every child. Kids should be getting the bulk of their vitamins and minerals from the following:

• Milk and dairy products including yogurt and cheese
• A wide variety of fresh vegetable and fruits
• Lean protein from chicken, meat, beans, legumes, and eggs
• Whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice

Certainly, it can be a challenge to get kids to eat all of these foods day in and day out. And, as busy parents, we don’t always have the time to prepare home-cooked meals. This is when it makes sense to incorporate natural vitamins for kids into their daily routine. Kids who can definitely benefit from a multivitamin include:

• Finicky eaters and those who are eating lots of fast food or processed food
• Kids with chronic medical conditions including asthma and digestive problems
• Kids who are very active in sports
• Kids on a vegetarian diet
• Kids who drink lots of carbonated sodas which tend to deplete vitamins and minerals from the body

When searching for the best vitamins for kids, you should look for some key ingredients that are particularly important to growing children:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin Bs (B2, B3, B6, and B12)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Iron

While vitamins are healthy, your children can get too much of a good thing! The best vitamins for kids will not contain mega-doses. Too much of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can be dangerous. As well, iron in too large of a quantity can be risky.

Animal Parade® GOLD Multi Children's Chewable is a unique formula that contains exactly what your child needs. These natural vitamins for kids contain all essential vitamins and minerals, along with 20 certified organic whole foods for synergistic health promoting activity, and many more health-supporting nutrients all in fun, animal-shaped chewables that your kids will love!  Animal Parade Gold also contains probiotics for intestinal health, lutein for eye and skin protection and is sweetened with xylitol to help reduce the risk of tooth decay.

When you want to ensure that your child is getting the nutrients they need during these very important growing years, it’s essential to choose the best vitamins for kids. With Animal Parade Gold, you can feel confident that you’re giving them a highly effective supplemented formulated just for their unique needs.