Many parents struggle to know what is “right” when it comes to picking vitamins and supplements for their kids and it can be a very daunting task. There are so many options! Each child is different and it’s hard to know exactly what the right choice is.

This topic is also hotly debated, which adds another layer of complexity. Some people believe that you don’t need to give your children any vitamins or supplements and that you just need to focus on providing essential nutrients through a balanced diet alone. Other people believe that there isn’t a “perfect” way to get your child everything they need through just their diet alone, or that allergies and/or picky eating habits can prevent a good balance of foods.

The important part is to remember that no matter what you choose for your family, children usually have the same nutritional requirements as adults, but they need them in smaller amounts.

One thing that is important to look for in children’s vitamins and supplements is if they are derived from whole food sources.

This specification is key in making sure that your children are getting the best quality supplements and benefitting all their developmental needs. Vitamins and minerals found in food sources can be some of the most easily digested by our bodies, making them very efficient and often tasting better.

Another important thing to keep in mind when searching for children’s supplements is avoiding any that contain artificial sweetener and ferrous sulfate.

If your child is a picky eater, doesn’t eat enough food, has any chronic medical conditions, is on a vegan diet, or drinks a lot of carbonated drinks; then a vitamin/supplement routine may be something worth looking into.

The 6 most commonly needed vitamins/minerals for growing kids!

Calcium helps your child to build strong bones as they grow. Children who eat an adequate amount of calcium as young kids and teens grow up with the strongest bones possible, helping to prevent bone loss and other issues later in life. Great sources of calcium are cheese, milk, yogurt, tofu, and calcium fortified orange juice.

Iron helps build muscle and aids in the production of healthy red blood cells. Iron also helps to efficiently move oxygen around your body from your lungs and helps your muscles store oxygen. To make sure you’re eating an adequate amount of iron, eat foods such as beef, turkey, pork, spinach, beans, sunflower seeds, and prunes.

Vitamin A is essential for kids because it promotes overall growth and development, helps repair tissue and bone, and keeps their skin, eyes, and immune system strong and healthy. If you are hesitant to try a Vitamin A gummy or supplement, make sure your child is eating an adequate amount of milk, eggs, cheese, and yellow/orange vegetables such as carrots and squash.

Vitamin B12 and the other B vitamins aid in your child’s metabolism, energy levels, and keeping their nervous system healthy. Your B vitamins also promote muscle growth, healthy connective tissue, and clear skin. Foods to feed your children with the essential B vitamins are chicken, fish, tree nuts, eggs, beans, strawberries, kiwi’s, tomatoes, and broccoli.

Vitamin C helps your child to form and repair red blood cells, helps to keep their gums healthy, helps to boost their immune system, and helps them build collagen which repairs injuries faster. Great foods to feed your kids with Vitamin C are citrus fruits, bell peppers, brussel sprouts, and potatoes.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium which aids in the building of strong, healthy bones and can also help improve mood. Fantastic foods with Vitamin D are fatty fish, red meat, eggs, and fortified foods. The best source of Vitamin D is the sun, so enforcing plenty of outdoor time is also very important.

Here are our favorite kids’ supplements…

There are some great supplements available for kids and we hope that you have learned more about them here. Please reach out to us directly or stop on by if you have any questions about them or any specific supplements we can help with.