Should Kids Take Multivitamins?

If you’re a parent, then you know the importance of wanting the best for your children in every area of their lives, including their nutrition. Whether you have a one-year-old or a five-year-old, it can be tough to ensure that your little ones get all the vitamins and minerals they need to feel their best. Not to mention, so many parents struggle with picky eaters who would rather cry for hours than eat their vegetables. So the question you might be wondering is, “should my kids take multivitamins?” and “can this actually help them?” 

In this blog post we are going to tell you exactly when children should take vitamins, how much they need, and some of the most important nutrients for optimal health and growth for children. 

The Most Important Nutrients for Children:

When it comes to getting balanced and optimal nutrients for children, ensuring that they get enough protein, carbs, and fats in their diet is a great place to start! Beyond this, there are certain nutrients that also make a big difference in how a child functions and grows to be healthy and strong. 

Calcium – We’ve all heard those dairy commercials growing up about “calcium building strong bones.” This is especially true for children so they can grow up with bones that are strong and will protect them. Dairy isn’t the only way to obtain calcium, you can also get this essential mineral from soy, broccoli, kale, almonds, white beans, oranges, and so much more! 

Iron – Another mineral that is super important for children to get enough of is iron. This is needed to make red blood cells which help to spread oxygen around the body. Not only does iron keep the blood healthy but it also supports brain development and growth.

Folate – This is such an important B vitamin that everyone needs, not just children. Folate supports the development of the brain, digestive system, nervous system, and the immune system. There are quite a bit of foods that contain folate but there are also many foods fortified with folic acid. 

Vitamin A – This vitamin plays such an important role in your child’s growth and development. Vitamin A helps to support a child’s vision, bone growth, and even their immune system! Some of the best foods rich in Vitamin A include leafy green vegetables, peppers, cantaloupe, fish oils, milks, and fortified foods.

Vitamin C – A master antioxidant and known as the repair and protect vitamin! Vitamin C helps to keep a child’s cells healthy and protects them from infections. It also helps to support the immune system and even build red blood cells. Something you may not have known is that Vitamin C is necessary for adequate iron absorption in the body, even for your child! Some of the best foods that are rich in this vitamin include citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, and so much more

Vitamin D – Also known as the sunshine vitamin, it is so important for every human no matter what their age is to get enough Vitamin D. It helps to build strong bones and strengthens their immune system. Did you know that some experts say that sunscreen can block up to 95-99% of Vitamin D absorption. Try to get your children to be in direct sunlight for at least 10-15 minutes a day to get enough Vitamin D. Many different kinds of fish also contain smaller amounts of Vitamin D but it is always best to get it from sunlight or supplements! 

Potassium – This mineral is an important one! Potassium works with sodium to control the body’s water balance, which helps to maintain blood pressure. Children could experience a deficiency in potassium from vomiting, diarrhea, or sweat. Some great potassium food sources include: beans, potatoes, spinach, bananas, avocado, and dried fruits!

When should children take a multivitamin?

In a perfect world, all of our children ate incredible diets filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world, and many of our children can be picky eaters! For the most part, many doctors say that children should get enough vitamins and nutrients needed for growth from their diet. Some also recommend that for added peace of mind, there is absolutely no harm in adding a multivitamin to your kids routine. 

There are definite instances when a child might not be fully getting the nutrients they need. Here are a few examples:

• A vegan diet without any animal products
• Chronic illnesses that impact absorption 
• Lactose intolerance
• Poor weight gain

Multivitamins can feel like a safety net in a world where uncertainty exists around proper nutrition and wellness. If you think that your kids could benefit from taking a multivitamin, we have an amazing recommendation for you!

NutraChamps Kid’s Multivitamin Gummies:

When we formulated our kid’s multivitamin gummies we made sure to add all of the essentials that growing kiddos need to thrive! Each delicious gummy is loaded with Vitamins A, B, C, D3, E, K, Biotin, Zinc, and so much more. Since we know that kids are picky eaters, we created four tasty flavors that they can choose from: strawberry, passionfruit, peach, and cherry! This supplement is also great for any sort of dietary restrictions that your child may have. These gummies are sugar-free, vegan, Non-GMO, and gluten-free! 

To conclude, we know that parents want to do what’s best for their children and to see them look and feel happy and healthy from the inside out. Nutrition is one of the most important pillars in ensuring this happens and multivitamins can be an excellent way to support your child’s health! If you want to learn more about our kid’s multivitamins, make sure to visit our website here.

We acknowledge all the parents out there who are doing their best to raise strong, healthy, and happy kids!