Taking Children’s Multi-Vitamins with Food vs. without Food

How your child takes multi-vitamins can make a substantial difference in absorption of nutrients. As well, timing can greatly impact how your child feels after taking any type of nutritional supplement. If you’ve wondered about how to administer children’s multi-vitamins, keep reading!

Nearly all formulas of multi-vitamins for children contain both fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins, like A, D, E and K, need to be taken with food to be absorbed. In contrast, water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B complex vitamins don’t need to be taken with meals. Because multi-vitamins contain both types of vitamins, they can be taken with meals. However, it’s not a good idea to take them with dairy products as they can block absorption.

Reducing Side Effects from Children’s Multi-Vitamins
Many children will complain of “tummy pain” or nausea after taking children’s multi-vitamins. Just like adults, these supplements can upset children’s stomachs. To reduce uncomfortable symptoms, the best strategy is to take supplements with or immediately after a meal. It’s also important to remember not to give doses higher than what is recommended, as too much of certain vitamins can cause a variety of toxicity symptoms. As well, certain medications, including antibiotics, can also interact with multi-vitamins for children. This is why it’s very important to tell your pediatrician about any supplement that you’re giving your child.

Get into a Routine
Helping children get into the habit of taking vitamins is not always easy. One of the best ways to encourage them to take their daily supplement is to administer them at the same time each day. For example, routinely giving your child their supplement with breakfast can make it much easier to remember, and it becomes part of the regular morning routine.

Taken at the right time, children’s multi-vitamins offer substantial health benefits for many kids. Talk to your pediatrician to learn more about the specific supplement needs of your child.