Gummy Vitamins: What's Really Inside?

Gummy Vitamins: What's Really Inside?

Article By: Dominica Dieffenbach, RDN

Dominica is a Registered Dietitian and mom of 2 kiddos currently specializing in the special needs pediatric population. She has over 15 years of experience as an RD, working with a wide variety of patients to provide them with individualized medical nutrition therapy and education.

Have you ever inspected the label of your kiddos' multivitamin bottle — I mean really inspected it? Not just glancing to make sure all the vitamin and mineral bases are covered... But examining the other ingredients that might be lurking in that oh-so-sweet gummy?

1) Often times, sugar is a key ingredient in gummies.

In the “Other Ingredients” section of each Supplement Facts Panel, you will find the ingredients listed in descending order based on weight (i.e. the ingredient weighing the most will be at the top and so on). When a gummy vitamin lists corn syrup or glucose syrup (both forms of sugar) first, and then SUGAR second, it’s easy to see why many gummy vitamins are also providing kids with up to 20% of their daily added sugar allotment — a fact that is not so sweet. The sugar in gummy vitamins also tends to cling to teeth, increasing the risk for dental cavities.

2) Renzo's Melty Tabs are sugar-free & contain tooth-friendly xylitol.

Renzo’s Vitamins come in tasty, dissolvable Melty Tabs that don't stick to teeth. Renzo’s products are all sugar-free and sweetened with monk fruit, which does not contain fructose or glucose and therefore does not raise blood glucose levels. Renzo's Melty Tabs also contain xylitol, which tastes sweet, but unlike sugar, doesn't cause tooth decay. Xylitol also has the added benefit of reducing the levels of cavity-causing bacteria in the saliva.

3) Gelatin in gummies means they're not compatible with a vegan diet.

It is also important to note that most gummy vitamins contain gelatin, which would not be compatible with a vegan diet. On the other hand, Renzo’s products do not contain any binding agents and are vegan (as well as gluten-free and non-GMO)!

4) With 18 vitamins & minerals, what's not to love about the Renzo's Picky Eater Multi?

Take a closer look at the vitamin and mineral label of the Renzo’s Picky Eater Multi compared to other gummy vitamins, and you will find that just 1 of these Melty Tabs is equivalent to the nutrition of 3 or more gummies. The Renzo’s Picky Eater Multi contains 18 essential vitamins and minerals, some of which (such as pantothenic acid, selenium, and chromium) are not found in other typical supplements. These micronutrients can have a powerful antioxidant effect, boost the immune system, and help with blood sugar regulation respectively.

Kiddos who are picky eaters are at risk for iron deficiency due to the lack of adequate iron consumption through their diets. As children go through a rapid rate of growth, they are more likely to experience the effects of iron deficiency with an estimated 14.4% of kids ages 1-2 and 3.7% of kids ages 3-5 being iron deficient.

However, many gummy vitamins surprisingly do not contain ANY source of iron! The Renzo’s Picky Eater Multi, as well as Renzo's Iron Strong, both contain iron in the form of Carbonyl Iron, which does not cause GI distress, is much better tolerated, and tends to be gentle on little tummies.

Renzo's Vitamins provides general recommendations, not to be construed as medical advice.

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