Do kids need vitamins? I’ve read a lot of mixed info on this. Some health care providers feel they do, while others believe vitamins supplements are unnecessary for kids who eat a balanced diet.
WebMD notes that children should be getting their vitamins from a healthy, balanced diet that includes the following:
- Milk and dairy products
- Fresh fruits and leafy, green vegetables
- Protein
- Whole grains
However, WebMD notes that not all children are actually eating a healthy, balanced diet and those kids could use a vitamin supplement. Additionally, children with some medical conditions might need vitamins.
- Children with unbalanced diets
- Children who are picky eaters
- Children who have chronic medical conditions (e.g., asthma or digestive problems)
- Children who are very active in sports
- Children who eat a lot of fast food or processed food
- Children on particular diets (e.g., vegetarian or dairy-free)
- Children who drink a lot of carbonated beverages
WebMD considers the following vitamins important for growing children, but also advises against megavitamins.
- Vitamin
- Vitamin Bs: B2, B3, B6, and B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Iron
I bounce back and forth about vitamins. My kids eat really clean and will eat just about anything. They probably get more than their daily requirements of fruit and they actually eat a lot of veggies. Still, I know that you can eat a balanced diet and lack some nutrients. My son also has some GI issues, so I worry.
So, if you decide your kids need vitamin supplements, how do you know what to give them? I’ve come across a few lately that I’d consider.
alternaVites Kids
alternaVites are for kids four years old and over. They are multivitamins in the form of yummy flavored powder. I’m not a huge fan of gummy vitamins. We don’t give the kids gummy type treats, and so when we bought gummy vitamins, the kids became obsessed with getting their vitamin. It concerned me that if they ever got a hold of the bottle, the temptation might be strong because to them, gummy vitamins are like packaged treats. alternaVites are great because they are in powder form. They are free of egg, milk, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish for kids with allergies. You can give them to your kids directly or mix in with food like yogurt.
Vemma Next
Vemma Next is a liquid supplement formulated for kids two through 12 years old. It contains vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin D, along with Quercetin (a group of flavonoids that give many fruits and vegetables their coloring) and phytonutrient extracts of 14 organic fruits and veggies. Vemma Next has a kid-friendly creamy orange flavor and is free of preservatives, artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.
Do your kids take vitamins? If so, which ones?
My son’s neuropsychiatrist recommended Omega 3′s with DHA, so he takes Nordic Naturals. Sometimes I also give them gummy vitamins but I usually forget.
It is true that a good meal beats all but who can get kids to eat a good meal all the time. Vitamins seem to fill in the cracks.