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!