Children and multivitamins
Let’s get it clear, multivitamin supplement do not provide additional benefits for kids who eat good food regularly. In fact high doses of mineral or vitamins can cause damage to the body.
We should be careful while handling multivitamins pills because most of them made now are sweet and are often dangerously consumed as candies.
It is no longer a fancy idea giving multivitamins to children who do not have additional needs for them.
Circumstances when children may need their diet fortified with multivitamins include:
- Failure to thrive
- Certain chronic diseases
- Food allergies
- Restrictive diet, such as a strict vegan diet
- Picky eaters
If multivitamins are advised, chose categories recommended for your child’s age.
Fresh foods rich in fruits, vegetables and fibres should be at the core of your child’s dietary plan. Also remember that vitamins and minerals found in foods are more potent than those present in pills. For example, why give vit C pills or gummies when your child loves oranges or watermelon.
If your children need multivitamins, we recommend the following:
Vitamin A
This vitamin is needed for normal growth and development;
It enhances tissue and bone repair
It is also necessary for healthy skin, vision and immune responses.
Good sources include milk, cheese, eggs, and yellow-to-orange vegetables like carrots, yams, and squash.
Vitamin B (B2, B3, B6 and B12)
They aid needed for metabolism and energy production.
They also aid healthy circulatory and nervous systems.
Good sources = meat, chicken, fish, nuts, eggs, milk, beans and soybeans.
Vitamin C
They promote healthy muscles, connective tissue, and skin.
Good sources = oranges, strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes, and green vegetables like broccoli.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the most important vitamin for tooth and bone development
It also helps the body absorb calcium.
Good sources = milk and other fortified dairy products, egg yolks, and fish oil.
The best source of vitamin D doesn’t come from the diet — it’s sunlight.
Calcium
Calcium is needed for strong bones.
Good sources =milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, and calcium-fortified orange juice.
Iron
Needed for building muscle and healthy red blood cells. Iron deficiency is a risk in adolescence. Good sources include beef and other red meats, turkey, pork, spinach, beans, and prunes.