I have no doubt in my mind that we all want our children to be healthy and happy. Truth is, we know what is best, but that won’t always make them happy. Whether it be trying to lure them into a bowl of Brussel sprouts, a fitting bedtime or a dose of fish oils, kids always have a way of resisting. When it comes on to vitamins for kids, there is still hope! As children are still in developmental stages, it is important that their little body’s are receiving essential nutrients to support the process. Vitamins are a great way to nourish the body and fuel the cells for optimal health and growth. In this article, we will discuss fun ways we can get our children to take more vitamins.
Should Kids Take Vitamins?
The simple answer is yes. Although food is the best source of nutrition, there is no harm done when an extra dose of nutrients are implemented in the diet. This is especially beneficial for picky eaters and those who have low appetites, as their nutrient intake may be compromised. With the brain and bones (amongst other things) still being in the developmental stages, it is absolutely crucial to support the body so as to avoid developmental delays and nutritional deficiencies. Some supplements like probiotics, can be implemented as early as the infant stage, to help the baby increase immunity and ward off possible infection. This is usually recommended by a doctor if needed. There is no golden rule for when you should implement vitamins in your child’s diet, but most kid’s multivitamins are safe to be given and indicate for children 3 years old and up.
How to get your Kids to Take Vitamins?
Hide it
There are certain vitamins like liquid Fish oils, that a lot of kids just don’t like. No matter how flavored it is, the oily texture can be a turn off. The only other option is to be clever and hide it! Fish oils are necessary for brain health, specifically cognitive function, memory and focus. Many studies have been done that rave about the impact fish oils has on the brain and DNA of a developing child. I personally like to make a shake called the, chocolate bar smoothie. It really does taste like a chocolate nut bar and my kids still have no clue what gives the shake its chocolatey taste. Here is the recipe below (for 2 kids)/
Chocolate Bar Omega 3 Smoothie
- 2 cups of milk
- 1 overripe Banana
- 2 tbsp of a chocolate flavored fish oil
- 1 tsp of peanut butter
- ½ scoop of Noor’s Vanilla Vegan Protein Powder
- ¼ cup of oats (optional for thickness)
- Blend all ingredients in blender and serve! They won’t know the difference!
If you’d rather not go through the trouble of making a shake, try Noor’s Omega Gummies for Kids. The gummy texture and added fruit extracts, cuts the oiliness of the Fish oil, making it enjoyable and yummy for kids!
Take it with Them!
Simply getting excited while taking your vitamins and allowing your children to see you, will get them excited and want in on all the fun. Try talking about how strong and energized it’s going to make you feel, this is intriguing, and your child will want to follow suit!
Offer Rewards
A reward system is always fun for children. Give them an extra 15 minutes of TV time or let them play outside a little longer if they take their daily dose of vitamins.
Get Tasty Vitamins
There are many vitamins out there for kids and in many forms. Chewable tablets and gummies are the most popular as they come in all sorts of flavoured goodness. Some of them are so tasty, like Noor’s Gummies for Kids, that your child may want more after their daily dose! This is a good thing, as they are getting exactly what they need nutrient wise, without the fuss.
Vitamins for Kids
There are many vitamins out there for kids and in many forms. Chewable tablets and gummies are the most popular as they come in all sorts of flavoured goodness. Unflavored powdered supplements are great to throw into smoothies, mix into apple sauce, or sprinkle on top of oatmeal.
Can Kids Take Vitamin D?
Kids can definitely take vitamin D, but not for an extended period of time. This fat-soluble vitamin is stored in the body and can have toxicity effects if taken over its needed amount. A lot of parents ask if their kids can take vitamin D. The truth is, there are hundreds of vitamin D supplements out there for children and 400IU a day during the winter months where there is little to no Sunshine is relatively safe. That being said, it is always best to consult your healthcare provider and get your child tested for possible deficiencies before administering any fat-soluble vitamin, which is vitamin A, D, E and K. Fat soluble vitamins are rendered safe, when incorporated with other nutrients and offered in fairly small amounts, which is below daily recommendations, like the Omega 3 Gummies for Kids. In this case, the added vitamin D and E are in very small amounts, act as buffers and assist with the absorption of Omega 3.
All in all, we want the best for our children. Although they may resist, there is always a way to work around the push-back and make taking vitamins fun! Kids can begin taking vitamins as early as 3 years old, to support them during the developmental stages of childhood. Multivitamins, Probiotics and Fish Oils are a great start and should be continued into adolescence and teenage years.
