Vitamins are everywhere, but do children really need vitamins?
There are a variety of choices out there when it comes to vitamins for kids. It is up to you as a parent to understand your child's nutritional needs and supplement their diets correctly. Age, gender, ethnicity and many other factors play a role in what nutritional deficiencies your child may experience. There is also the risk potential allergies to the ingredients in some vitamins, so you have to be very careful. Different vitamins help with different things, so it is important to know the different types of children's vitamins out there and speak with your pediatrician before giving your child anything.
The four most common deficiencies found in children worldwide today include:
- Iron
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Zinc
2016 a health report done by the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health found that the diets of American children do contain adequate amounts of most vitamins and minerals. Unless you are constantly feeding your kids unhealthy snacks, junk foods, and sugary sodas, chances are they are probably getting what they need.
Even though your children may getting what they need to function on most days, only an average of just 16 percent of kids eats what is considered the “ideal diet” daily. Most do not regularly get their recommended serving of fruit, vegetables, grain or dairy, meaning they are not getting all the nutrients they need every single day.
Due to the fact so many children these days eat mainly processed and refined foods and don’t consume enough fruits and vegetables, some pediatricians will recommend a multivitamin. You should always attempt to feed your kids healthy foods, but there’s no harm in the occasional ice cream, pizza or candy bar in the context of a well-balanced diet, but try to encourage kids to snack on healthier foods – fresh or dried fruit, a small handful of raw, unsalted nuts such as cashews and walnuts, a small chunk of flavorful, natural cheese or a piece of dark chocolate.
Depending on the health needs of your child, adding vitamins to their diet could be beneficial. Your child may benefit from a multivitamin, or they may just need a specific vitamin to fit their dietary requirements. Just remember that vitamins are there to supplement a healthy diet, not to replace it! If you do decide to go the vitamin route, make sure you choose a vitamin that is free of sugar, artificial ingredients, and genetically modified ingredients.
It isn’t always easy to find a good child’s multivitamin that does not contain sugar or artificial colorings, but Renzo's offers a great selection of no sugar and no gummy vitamins!
References:
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
American Academy of Pediatrics
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