Responsible parenting is not a task for the faint at heart. The fast-paced lifestyle of the modern world means that we have less time to devote to home-cooked meals, making it more difficult to ensure that our children get the recommended amounts of fresh vitamins and minerals to grow strong and healthy.
A multivitamin can help fill the gap, so I’ve compiled a list to help you find the best multivitamin for kids.
Who Needs a Multivitamin
There is no denying that in a perfect world kids would get all of their needed vitamins and minerals from a well-rounded diet that includes lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Unfortunately, in modern society, it’s often unrealistic to assume kids are getting this on any sort of regular basis. Highly processed snack cakes often have to suffice as breakfast and a delivered pizza is dinner.
Many parents may not have a clue what was served at school for lunch or how much of any nutritious foods were thrown out uneaten. Some children develop picky eating habits and the battle to get the right food into your child can turn mealtime into an all-out war.
Highly active children partaking in sports and daily play need a boost in vitamins and minerals that are not found in a standard diet. Nearly every child could benefit greatly from the use of a good multivitamin. You can read more about the importance of vitamins and minerals to kids here.
Essential Vitamins for Kids
Iron
Helps build muscles and create healthy red blood cells. Low iron causes anemia and weakness.
Vitamin B
The B group of vitamins help transfer foods to energy in the body. They improve nervous and circulatory systems.
Vitamin C
This vitamin is important for a healthy immune system, skin, muscles and connective tissue growth.
Vitamin D
This vitamin is critical in good bones, teeth and helps the body absorb calcium.
Calcium
Correct growth in children requires the right amount of calcium for bone health and development.
How Multivitamins Work
The great thing about using a multivitamin is that once it is introduced to the body your job is done. The body understands its own nutritional needs and will break the product down and use each component over the course of the day. Establishing a regular routine of use is all you need to do. Here are some great tips on safe limits for vitamins and minerals.
How to Pick the Perfect Multivitamin
The market is overflowing with a multitude of kids’ multivitamin products. The different types can leave your head spinning and you can feel lost when tryingto pick the best multivitamin for kids. Below are a few considerations to give before making this all-important choice.
What Are the Advantages and Benefits of a Multivitamin for Kids?
Beginning to narrow down your options starts with understanding the benefits and advantages offered for the given products. The ideal multivitamin for kids is easy to swallow, tastes good and contains all of the important nutrients listed above. Look out for the following points when evaluating your choice of vitamins:
Avoid Megavitamins
Avoid a multivitamin that packs more than 100% of daily allowances as the excess will just be flushed out of the body and wasted.
Make Sure It Is for Kids
Multivitamins nowadays are marketed for specific lifestyles, genders and age groups. Ensure that you choose one that focuses on the nutritional needs of children. Adult multivitamins are built to fill the needs of larger individuals that have very different daily requirements.
Read Nutrition Labels and Ingredients Lists
To get the best value for money, you need to find a multivitamin with the ingredients that are most beneficial for your child. The label should clearly list all of the vitamins and nutrients included, along with the percentage of the daily recommendation. Take the time to research anything you are not familiar with and always avoid products that are unwilling to share this information.
Get Professional Advice on Additives for Chronic Conditions and Deficiencies
Always consult with your pediatrician before starting your child on a multivitamin that has high amounts of ingredients such as iron or calcium. Having more than 100% of the daily requirements might be fine if your child has a chronic condition like asthma or a deficiency in iron, but the average child will not benefit from consuming more than the recommended daily amounts.
Does the Product Pass the Look, Smell and Taste Test?
If you have trouble with the shape, smell or taste of the multivitamin, so will your child. Research other parents’ experiences online to save yourself a lot of hassle when offering the product to your child.
What’s the Best Way to Use This Product?
The toughest part to starting a multivitamin routine is remembering to take it everyday. Make it a habit to take it right after eating breakfast or dinner. Already having food in the stomach will reduce any incidences of stomach upset or gas. Never double up on a missed dose.
Are Multivitamins Really Necessary?
The debates will always rage when it comes to the necessity of adding a multivitamin to the diets of children. Most of the experts do agree that a sensible addition of a standard multivitamin is not harmful when used as recommended. They all agree at some level that poor diets and a lack of proper vitamin and mineral sources can create the need for supplements in some children. Here is an excellent video that outlines this clearly.
5 of the Most Popular Multivitamin Products
The Winning Multivitamin
In my opinion, the clear winner is the Rainbow Light Nutristars Multivitamin. This product is not only very well-rounded in vitamin profile but also includes powerful antioxidants and digestive aids. The price is also great for those on a budget.
A little research and trial and error will lead you to the best multivitamin for kids that meet your budget as well as nutrition concerns. Boosting the health and wellness of your children does not have to be a battle or overly-expensive. When you find one that works make it a daily routine and stick with it!
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