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.

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.

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.

Natural Kids Vitamins for Stronger Bones

Has your child suffered from multiple fractures from injuries? A Mayo Clinic study has shown that forearm fractures have increased by more than 32 percent in boys and 56 percent in girls in the past three decades. This same study also linked these early forearm fractures with hip fractures and osteoporosis later in life. Obtaining proper nutrients from a balanced diet and natural kids vitamins can be beneficial in preventing fractures in children and can help build bones that will be strong for a lifetime.

Peak Bone Mass Is Reached before the Age of 25
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, nutrients are very important to bone health because peak bone mass is obtained by the mid-20s. And, dietary and lifestyle factors during childhood can have a profound effect on the level of bone mass in young adults. These factors include:

• Poor dietary choices – especially many processed foods and beverages that can actually deplete nutrients
• Hypercalcuria – A disorder that leads to minerals being excreted too fast
• Lack of sunshine – causes vitamin D deficiency
• Lack of exercise – insufficient weight-bearing exercise to strengthen the bones
• Poor quality nutritional supplements – leads to malabsorption of nutrients

A Healthy Diet and Natural Kids Vitamins – A Winning Combination
While calcium commonly found in milk is an essential vitamin for bone health, there are also other nutrients that work synergistically with this important mineral to help build healthy, strong bones in children. These include vitamin D3 and vitamin K2. These can be obtained through a balanced diet and from a high quality formula of natural vitamins for kids.

By combining a diet rich in nutrients and natural kids vitamins, you can help provide the healthy foundation your children need to have strong bones for a lifetime.

Kids Vitamins – What’s Safe and What Isn’t

From infants through adolescence and beyond, children need a complex range of vitamins and minerals to support their growth and development. While a healthy diet is an absolute must for all children, kids vitamins can serve as a good supplement during these important years.

Parents can often be overwhelmed with the number of choices for kids vitamins on the shelves of grocery, drug, and health food stores. Many of the labels tout confusing promises such as “supports optimal brain function” and “provides a full day supply of vegetables.”  So when it comes to dietary supplements for kids, it’s important to know what is needed, what’s not, and what is simply too much.

One of the most essential nutrients for growing children is iron. It is found in many kids vitamins, and many doctors also encourage parents to introduce plenty of iron-fortified foods into their children’s diet. Babies are tested for anemia at nine to 12 months, and close monitoring in some children is necessary.

Iron deficiencies can be prevented through supplementation. However, it is important to choose a formula that doesn’t exceed more than 100% of the daily requirement for iron. Natural vitamins for kids, such as Animal Parade from Nature’s Plus, provides a smaller percentage of iron so that it can be safely combined with a diet that contains iron-fortified foods. An overdose of iron can be very serious, so it’s important to consult with your child’s doctor to determine the right amount of supplementation that is needed.

Besides iron, vitamin D is another nutrient that is often lacking in kids. Particularly in northern latitudes where these is limited amounts of sun exposure, vitamin D deficiencies are very common. Children that don’t have enough vitamin D to support tooth and bone formation are at risk of developing rickets, as well as osteoporosis later in life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants, children, and adolescents get 400 units of vitamin D each day. This can be accomplished by providing your child kids vitamins.

Animal Parade Sugar Free Multi Chewables contain 100% of the daily value for highly bioavailable vitamin D3 along with vitamins A, C, E B12, B6 and other B vitamins. And, because they are sweetened with tooth-friendly xylitol, they have decay-preventative properties. These kid-friendly chewables also contain a bounty of healthful foods including spirulina, broccoli, carrot, brown rice, and spinach and other immune-supporting phytonutrients to provide a complete kids vitamins formula that can support your child’s health as they grow.