Best Multivitamins For Kids: Which Is Your Pick?
As kids grow, it is important to provide best multivitamins for kids and minerals that they need for their optimal growth and development. However, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, if a child consumes a healthy, well-balanced diet, they do not need any vitamin supplement.
But for some kids, it is important to give them vitamin and mineral supplements to fill the gaps they have from lack of a well-balanced diet. According to Muhammad Khan, MD, MPH, and a pediatric gastroenterologist, “I always prefer a child to get their nutrition through whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. However, I know there are instances where supplementation is necessary.”
Sometimes, kids are picky eaters, some are not growing well, some follow extremely strict vegan diets, and some have dietary restrictions because of some allergies. These are the cases where it is important to give them a multivitamin supplement.
If your child falls in any of the above-mentioned categories, then it is best to give them a multivitamin supplement. It is important to fill the nutrition gap and make sure that they are getting all the nutrition they need.
Here are some of the best multivitamins for kids listed that are going to help with your kid’s growth and development. But when you are looking for the best supplements for your kids, there are some things that you should consider, including safety and quality, key nutrients, ingredients, and dosage.
Who can benefit from a multivitamin?
Before you change anything in your kid’s routine and add a multivitamin, make sure that there is no issue with it. It is best to have it run by a pediatrician. Overdose of some of the specific vitamins can be harmful for a kid.
This is the reason why you have to choose a multivitamin that is specifically made for kids and choose the dose appropriately. According to the statistics given by the National Centre of Health Statistics, almost one-third of kids in the US consume multivitamin supplements.
These supplements fill the nutritional gaps for kids who need them the most. But there is a chance of overconsuming certain nutrients. You have to ensure that the kid receives a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet; then, they will not require a supplement.
Kids with limited diets
Kids who have dietary restrictions because of some health conditions or due to some ethical reasons tend to be picky and selective about what they are comfortable eating. They are the ones exposed more to the risk of missing out on the required nutrients. They need these multivitamins even more.
Individual nutrient supplementation
Some kids do not always need multivitamins. Instead, they benefit more from a vitamin supplement. For instance, kids who follow a vegan diet at least need a supplement with vitamin B12 and might not need a multivitamin.
Also, kids who do not consume sufficient servings of vitamin D-fortified milk or dairy alternatives require a supplement of vitamin D.
Best multivitamins for kids
In order to get the best multivitamin for kids available in the market or the one that suits your kid best, you can consult a pediatrician. But here are some of the best that are available in the market.
SmartyPants Daily Gummy Multivitamin
This is one of the best multivitamins for kids. This is an NSF-certified, tasty, gummy multivitamin, so it can be trusted for its potency and purity. This multivitamin supplement contains 15 essential nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D3 and K for good bone health, and B12 and also choline for cognitive development.
This is a good option for kids with allergies. This multivitamin does not contain peanuts, milk, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, soy, and gluten. This one does not contain any synthetic flavors and colors. It has natural flavors and contains color from turmeric and organic black carrot juice.
Pros:
- This is NSF-certified
- Contains omega-3s
- Does not have any major allergens
- It contains 15 key nutrients
Cons:
- It has 5gram of added sugar
Ritual essential
If you are looking for one of the best multivitamins for kids with a monthly subscription, this is an excellent option. This multivitamin is formulated with nutrients, targeting the common nutritional gaps for supporting growth and development, but it leaves certain minerals and vitamins that are abundant in food.
This multivitamin has covered all bases. It is rich in vitamin D3, vitamin C, and zinc for supporting the immune system, omega-3 fatty acids, and choline for brain health, along with vitamin K and D for bone growth, along with a blend of prebiotic/fiber.
However, they have left out calcium and zinc, so if you are looking for these two things, then this is not the right supplement for your kid.
Pros:
- It contains omega-3s
- It is a third-party tasted
- Vegan friendly
Cons:
- It has a blend of probiotic fiber, which is not good for kids with IBS.
Bayer Flintstones Complete Chewables Multivitamin
This is a budget-friendly multivitamin with an appropriate dose of 18 minerals and vitamins to support all nutritional needs. They have been a trusted brand for a long time now, and they are also formulating their products without any artificial colors, high fructose corn syrup, or added sugars.
These vitamins are also third-party tested for their potency and purity, and they also go through heavy metal testing. And they taste good as well, which actually makes it approved by kids.
Pros:
- It is quite affordable
- This product is third-party tasted
- It contains 18 key nutrients
Cons:
- Contains sugar alcohols
- It is not suitable for those who have gluten allergy
Llama Naturals Plant-Based Multivitamin
If you are looking for a vegetable-and-fruit-derived gummy that is also vegan-friendly, then this is exactly your pick. Llama Naturals Plant-Based Multivitamins is an organic product made from vegetables and whole fruits like carrots, spinach, strawberries, broccoli, and others.
There are no added sugars, sweeteners, or major allergens in this product. It has 12 main ingredients, including vitamins B12, D3, and K. If your child or you are trying the vegan lifestyle, make sure that they get the calcium and iron, as these are not included in the product.
Kids who are 4 or more than that are recommended to take two gummies every day, and below that age, they should take one gummies per day. The product is third-party tested for various factors like heavy metal content, vitamin levels, mold, microbes, and yeast.
Pros:
- The product is third-party tested
- It has 13 key ingredients
- It is a plant-based product and is free from most major allergens
- There is no alternative sweeteners or added sugar
Cons:
- It is expensive
Renzo’s Picky Eater Multi with Iron
If you find your child struggling with eating gummies and prefer a table that will dissolve instead, then this multivitamin tablet with iron is one of the best picks for you. It has 18 key ingredients and includes vitamins A, K, C, D3, iodine, iron, zinc, and many others.
This is one of those few supplements that has iron, and this is a good option for those kids who do not like eating meat. Like various other best multivitamins for kids, this one also does not contain calcium. All their products are third-party tested.
Even though the product is sugar-free, it still contains mannitol and sugar alcohol xylitol. It is often responsible for stomach upset, mostly when they are taken in large amounts. It also has monk fruit for some sweetness. Kids who are 4 or more than that should take 2 tablets per day.
Pros:
- This product is third-party tested
- It contains iron
- It has 18 key ingredients
Cons:
- It has sugar alcohols
ChildLife Essentials Children’s Multivitamin & Mineral
If you are positive that a tablet or gummy is not going to work for your child, then try this liquid multivitamin. This is among the best liquid multivitamins that you will find. You can try giving it to them with the help of a spoon or a syringe. If they refuse, you can also mix it in their yogurt or beverage.
It consists of 16 vitamins and minerals, and it is suitable for kids as young as 6 months old and 12 years of age. But of course, before you give anything to your kid, consult a pediatrician. But you should know that this product has 5 grams of added sugars in every 2 spoon servings.
However, this supplement does not have iron, and calcium is present in very little quantity. The product is gluten-free, and it is believed to be safe as a pediatrician has developed it. It is also a third-party-tested product. They have been tested for strength, identity, and purity.
If necessary, you can introduce the product to your kid as it is in the liquid form. But before you do anything, it is best to consult a healthcare provider to make sure your child actually needs a multivitamin and make sure of the dosage.
Pros:
- It contains 16 key nutrients
- This product is gluten-free and non-GMO
- You can adjust the dosage according to your kid’s age
Cons:
- It has 5 grams of added sugars
- Liquid supplements are difficult to measure
MegaFood Kids One Daily Multivitamin
If you are looking for a whole-food-based comprehensive multivitamin and mineral supplement, then this is the ideal one, but your kid has to be 5 or older than that. These easy-to-swallow-mini-tablet have a wide range of nutrients, like vitamins B6, B12, and D3.
A lot of fresh, whole foods are used to make it. And the tablets are free of flavorings, food colorings, and sweeteners. Moreover, if you are trying to introduce your kid to a vegetarian or vegan diet, this supplement serves that purpose as well. It does not have extra sugar added to it.
Like always, it is essential that you check the nutrition label and make sure that your child is getting all the essential nutrients from the supplements. This one provides you with a lot of quality nutrients but contains a lower amount of every ingredient than other products.
Pros:
- It is easy to swallow
- It does not have any artificial sweaters
- You can take it without any food or with food as well
Cons:
- It is not third-party tested
- The product has fewer nutrients than any other products
Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin
If you want something chewable for your kid but not a gummy, then this supplement is good for your kid. This comprehensive multivitamin has 15 key nutrients and calcium in a small quantity as well.
A group of pediatricians and nutritionists formulated this multivitamin to meet the basic nutritional gaps in most kid’s diets. This product is also third-party tested for allergens, pathogens, and heavy metals.
Moreover, it has no added sugar, and it is sweetened with mannitol and monk fruit. It has natural flavors and colors, including spirulina, turmeric, and beetroot. Along with the vitamins and minerals, it has a blend of vegetables and fruits for some added antioxidant and nutrient boost.
Any kid aged 2 or more than that can consume this multivitamin. For kids between the ages of 2 and 3, it has 100% daily value with all the key nutrients. But for kids who are above that age, one tablet provides 50% of the nutrients that are required at that age.
It does not have iron included in this multivitamin. You can also get a subscription to this multivitamin. This product is non-GM0, gluten-free and dairy-free.
Pros:
- It has 15 key nutrients
- This product is third-party tested
- It is a subscription-based product and will get you your monthly delivery
Cons:
- The amount of vitamins and minerals present in the multivitamin is not sufficient for kids above the age of 4.
So, which one is your pick?
These are some of the best multivitamins for kids. But you should always get a multivitamin that is best suited for your kid. Think of their nutritional needs and what they are comfortable with. Pick the form, thinking about them. Whether they will be comfortable with a tablet, gummy, or liquid.
But before you pick anything or give them anything, it is best to consult with your doctor to pick the correct one for your kid, as well as consult the dosage.
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