Magicians are the masters of illusion. Through a tricky skill (and a secret treasure chest of magician’s tools), they hypnotize us with their magic; creating a world of impossibilities before our very eyes. 

Which brings us to the master magician of kid’s health: The Great & Devious Gummy Vitamin. 

With words like “nutritious, non-gmo, and organic,” we wonder if gummies are really “healthy”. . . or has this trickster created an illusion of health?

Let's find out!

The Gummy Vitamin Healthy Hoax

Well, with one peek at the ingredient list, we find the magician’s secret, the card up its sleeve, and suddenly – all its healthy promises magically disappear!

Because the Great & Devious Gummy Vitamin’s secret to creating the illusion of health is the one thing our kiddos should stay away from (especially during the school year, but more on that later). . . 

⇒ SUGAR

With secret names like cane sugar, beet sugar, syrup, fructose, and glucose, this is one magic trick we could easily fall for. 

But the truth is:

Gummy Vitamins have as much sugar per weight as a cookie.

And all that sugar leads to an increased risk of:

• Cavities: Excess sugar is the leading cause of tooth decay in children
• Weight gain and obesity
• Poor nutrient supply & reduced nutrient diversity
• Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health effects

So although taking a gummy vitamin on the way to school may seem like a healthy habit, research shows otherwise. 

Yet before you panic, we have good news.

Our favorite wizard has discovered a way to *zap* evil sugary gummies and offer healthier, tastier choice:

Our healthy, melty vitamins are sugar-free and made in delicious flavors kids love! Check them out here.

Sugar During the School Year

According to a study recently published, kiddos are getting more than the recommended amount of sugar at school – and that’s just breakfast and lunch!

Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), added sugars are recommended to be less than 10% of calories. But here’s what the data showed. 

Most schools exceeded the DGA limit of added sugars by:

• 92% at breakfast
• 69% at lunch

Now you’d think that the added sugar was coming from sweets, right? 

Well, it turns out, the leading source of added sugar was from flavored swim milk! Followed by: 

• Cereal
• Condiments
• Cake

It’s no wonder sugar is the master magician’s secret! 

Healthy School Alternatives

There are other ways to ensure our little ones meet their nutritional needs without a morning sugar bomb. So let's kick those gummies to the curb and jumpstart our morning on the right foot.

1) Brain Power Meals

To power our kiddos' growing brains and bodies, a nutritious breakfast and lunch is the best fuel. When thinking of ideas to fill your kiddo’s lunchbox, choose recipes that are:

• Quick & easy
• Filled with key nutrients
• Delicious enough for your kiddo’s “sophisticated” taste”

Here are 5 Brain Power Lunch Ideas high in Vitamin B6 – the vitamin shown to help our kiddos focus.

2) Good Night’s Sleep

Getting greeeeaaattt sleep not only feels amazing, but helps our kiddo’s brains stay super sharp. Restful sleep also helps us choose healthier foods throughout the day. 

There’s just something about being sleepy that flips a switch in our brains to crave high fat and sugar foods!

Now for busy parents, we’re lucky to get 6 hours of sleep, and 8 hours. . . well that’s just unheard of. 

But our kiddos need much more sleep than we do. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, to promote optimal health, children from age: 

• 3 - 5 should sleep 10 - 13 hours
• 6 - 12 should sleep 9 - 10 hours

And teens aged 13 - 18 should sleep 8 - 10 hours. 

3) Fill in Nutrition Gaps

When it comes to our kiddo’s health, we’re always shooting for the moon. But even if we don’t get there, let’s make sure we at least land in the stars by filling in nutrition gaps with a healthy kid’s vitamin – and yes, definitely a sugar-free one!

Back to School Bundle for Picky Eaters

If you have a picky eater, Renzo’s Back to School Bundle is the perfect solution. This starter kit has the must-have vitamins for kids to get back into school mode. They’re sugar-free and made in delicious flavors picky eaters love! 

The Back to School Bundle includes:

• Picky Eater Multi: 18 essential vitamins and minerals – perfect for picky eaters
• Bright & Brainy B6: for super smart brains to work at their full potential
• Invincible Vitamin C: made with Elderberry and Zinc for extra antioxidant power

Pick up your Back to School Bundle today and have a happy start to the school year!