Have you wondered whether you should be giving your kids a multivitamin? If you’ve looked into children’s multivitamins and found the options overwhelming, here’s a guide to help you choose the right multivitamins for your kids.
The Best Kids Multivitamin & Why They May Be Necessary
Though ideally our kids would be getting all the nutrients they need from a well-rounded diet, we all know kids can be rather selective about what they’ll eat at any given time.
Picky eaters sometimes miss whole categories of foods, including important ones like
vegetables and
foods rich in iron.
If you want to ensure your kids aren’t missing any critical nutrients, a balanced
children’s multivitamin may make sense. As we learn more about the benefits of
probiotics and
omega 3s, you’ll find that more makers of kids’ vitamins are including them and a number of other lesser-known nutrients as well.
With kids spending more time indoors , getting
vitamin D in their multi can support the many
important bodily systems dependent on vitamin D, the so-called ‘sunshine vitamin.’ In addition to affecting immune system function and bone health,
vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of numerous health conditions, including depression, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
If yours in one of the many kids who avoid animal proteins, you might want a multi that includes
vitamin B12, especially if they also don’t consume much dairy.
Discuss your kids’ particular needs with your pediatrician to help you make an informed choice.
What to look for in a children’s multivitamin
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to multivitamins for kids . Whether you choose a chewable tablet, a gummy vitamin or a liquid, here are some things to look for.
A variety of nutrients: Some multis include just the basics, such as vitamin C, D, A and the Bs, while others incorporate additional important trace minerals like
selenium and other nutrients like
choline or concentrated fruit or herb extracts that can add a diversity of
polyphenols missing from many children’s diets.
Minimal added sugar: Kids’ diets often include far more
added sugar than recommended, which can have negative health effects and encourage the formation of cavities. If you’d rather avoid extra sugar, look for a sugar-free or low-sugar multivitamin.
Natural ingredients: Some multivitamins contain chemical colors, flavorings, and fillers. If you’re concerned about the possible effects of artificial additives and
food dyes, be sure to read labels to make sure your multivitamins are colored with natural dyes derived from fruits and vegetables. Some will also indicate that they don’t contain any artificial flavorings or preservatives.
A number of top companies have come out with multivitamins made with organic ingredients, so if you’ve worked to limit your family’s
exposure to pesticides in other parts of their diets, it’s nice to know you have options for organic multivitamins as well.
For those concerned about food allergies, many kids’ multivitamins will list the allergens they’re screened for. Vegetarians will also find that most gummy options are vegan, using pectin rather than gelatin, and can look for that information on the bottle’s label.
Cautions with multivitamins for kids
Pay attention to the serving size. Some multis require only one tablet or gummy, while others need two or as many as four. If you give your kids half or a quarter of the serving size indicated, they may get considerably less of the RDA for some nutrients than you’d like.
Be mindful of getting too much of a good thing. If you read the back of many bottles of multivitamins, you’ll find that some have several times the RDA for certain nutrients. In some cases, the serving size is two tablets or gummies, in which case you might consider giving your child just one and occasionally skipping a day. Fat-soluble vitamins like
vitamin A can build up in the body to the point of toxicity and shouldn’t be taken in excess.
Make sure kids don’t think of their vitamins as candy. Kids’ vitamins can be
very yummy. Because they look and taste so much like candy,
kids may reach for additional vitamins, putting them at risk for overdoses. Make sure your children understand what vitamins are and the risks of consuming more than the recommended serving.
Protect their teeth.
Gummy vitamins have become extremely popular, and many are sweetened with sugar or corn syrup. Dentists aren’t great fans of these stick-to-your-teeth supplements. Be sure kids brush their teeth after taking gummy vitamins, and
follow dentists’ guidelines for protecting kids’ teeth.
Note that most multis do not contain iron or calcium, so if your child doesn’t tend to eat foods rich in these minerals, you might consider an additional supplement. Iron and calcium shouldn’t be taken at the same time, however, as calcium and iron
inhibit each others’ absorption.
Below are some options to consider if you’re looking for a quality multivitamin for your kids.
Sugar-free kids’ multivitamins
Dr. Mercola Chewable Multivitamin for Kids has 0g of sugar per serving and provides 28 vitamins, minerals and trace elements. It’s also free of artificial flavors, colorings and preservatives.
Culturelle Kids Probiotic Plus Multivitamin Chewables are also sugar-free as well as dye-free and non-GMO. In addition to 11 vitamins and minerals, each tablet contains 5 Billion CFUs probiotics.
Smarty Pants Sugar Free Kids Multi & Omegas contain 13 vitamins and minerals plus flaxseed oil for vegetarian essential fatty acids. They use monk fruit extract to sweeten the gummies rather than sugar alcohols.
Organic kids’ multivitamins
New Chapter Kids Multivitamin Gummies contain 17 vitamins and minerals including
vitamin K, which plays an important role in bone health. Sweetened with inulin fiber, they contain only half a gram of sugar per gummy. They also contain extracts of polyphenol-rich elderberry, acerola, and black currant.
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Kids Chewables include a blend of 24 organically-grown fruits and vegetables and provide a range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K and selenium as well as 1 billion CFU of probiotics. These chewable tablets contain only a gram of sugar per serving.
MaryRuth's Organics Kids Multivitamin & Postbiotics Gummies are made with organic ingredients and include 11 vitamins and minerals as well as postbiotics.
Healths Harmony Organic Kids Vitamin Gummies contain 11 vitamins and minerals and are made with certified organic ingredients. Each serving has just one gram of sugar.
Garden of Life Mykind Organics Kids Multi Gummies are made with real fruits and vegetables and USDA-certified organic ingredients. Containing 17 vitamins and minerals, they’re fruit-sweetened and free of artificial colors, fillers, and preservatives. The serving size is 4 gummies, containing 5 grams of sugar.
Whichever multivitamin you choose, remember that a vitamin-rich gummy bear can’t make up for chronically poor eating habits. A varied whole-foods diet rich in fruits and vegetables is still the gold standard for
healthy eating habits you hope will lead to a lifetime of healthy food choices. Continue to encourage kids – including picky eaters – to eat a wide range of foods, but know some of the inevitable nutritional shortfalls can be lessened with a well-chosen multivitamin.
