Vitamins for kids? What’s essential and should you supplement?

Do kids need vitamin supplements?? This is a great question. Vitamins are essential for all of the functions in our body. If your child is every parents dream and eats the rainbow, isn’t picky, eats meat, and will have veggies than your little one most likely does not need a vitamin supplement! The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend supplementing over the daily recommended nutritional vitamin intake who are growing normally.

So what are the most essential vitamins for growing kids and is your child eating them in there regular diet?

Here are the top 6 to not miss!

Vitamin A

promotes normal growth and development; tissue and bone repair; and healthy skin, eyes, and immune responses. Good sources include milk, cheese, eggs, and yellow-to-orange vegetables like carrots, yams, and squash

Vitamin B

The family of B vitamins -- B2, B3, B6, and B12 -- help with metabolism, energy production, and healthy circulatory and nervous systems. Good sources include meat, chicken, fish, nuts, eggs, milk, cheese, beans, and soybeans.

Vitamin D

 promotes bone and tooth formation and helps the body absorb calcium. Good sources include milk and fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. The best source of vitamin D is sunlight

Vitamin C

Immune booster! Vitamin C is found in high concentrations in immune cells which suggest it is an immunity booster. While it won’t prevent you from getting sick, there is evidence to support it may help you recover faster. Did you know vitamin C also promotes collagen, blood vessel, cartilage and muscle growth? This helps to maintain body tissues and skin and helps with kin and cell repair and wound healing. It aids in the formation of neurotransmitters that important for signaling the nervous system.  Not to mention Vitamin C is critical for healthy bones and teeth. Good sources include citrus fruits, apples, berries, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and kiwi!

Calcium

helps build strong bones as a child grows. Good sources include milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, and calcium-fortified orange juice.

Iron

builds muscle and is critical to keep red blood cells healthy. Iron deficiency is a risk in adolescence, especially for girls once they begin to have periods. Good sources of iron include beef and other red meats, turkey, pork, spinach, beans, prunes, dark chocolate 45-69% cacao, fortified breakfast cereals.

Food and a well balanced diet is the best source of vitamins and nutrients! The exception to this being exclusively breastfed babies, diet restrictive and picky eaters. (Vegan and vegetarian children may also be missing some crucial vitamins). If you choose to supplement your child with a multivitamin makes sure you read the labels and see what is in it. Choose one that is for your Childs age group. Too much of anything is a bad thing and the same thing applies for vitamins. Some vitamins are stored in fat and if ingested in large quantities can be toxic for your child. Make sure you lock up those delicious vitamin gummies so your little ones don’t go to town! 

You can always discuss vitamin supplementation with your House Calls for Kids provider or Pediatrician

Always remember to choose high quality vitamins! Some sneaky vitamins have processed sugars and dyes so read the labels.

Here are some brands we recommend:

Olly, Ritual, Zarbees, Samrtypants, Mary Ruth Organics, Megafood

Now tell us your favorites? How do you get your little one to eat the rainbow?