Can multivitamins be beneficial for children? Are they necessary? There are a few reasons why you may opt for a daily multivitamin for your children to help them each day.
When was the last time you placed a plate of vegetables in front of your child and they ate the whole lot? If your child is like most, you may have trouble getting them to enjoy vegetables. As your child grows, their bodies will rely on nutrients and vitamins to develop correctly.
While a well-balanced diet is the best source for the vitamins and nutrients they need to grow up strong and healthy, this may not always be possible. We look at some of the best reasons why you might choose to supplement your child’s diet with a daily multivitamin.
Fill nutritional gaps
No matter what age you are, it’s important to note that a daily multivitamin supplement is just that; a supplement. Multivitamins are a good way to fill in any nutritional gaps that you may have that could affect your ability to be in optimal health. The same applies to children’s multivitamins.
If you have a picky eater, you may find they have some level of nutritional gaps and they may benefit from a multivitamin to help them get the vitamins and nutrients they need each day. Of course, if you’re concerned about how much or how little your child is eating, it’s best to have a chat with your doctor or a dietician who can assess their diet.
Better immune system
Whether it’s the cold winter months or you just want to make sure your child is healthy all year long, one way to do so is to make sure their immune system is fully supported. To do this, vitamins such as A, C, D and E can help support their immune function and therefore keep them happy and healthy. The last thing you want is to see your child sick with a cold or flu. Many daily multivitamins include these important vitamins so you can help give them the best start to a healthy immune system.
Strong bones
Kids get up to a lot of fun and mischief when they’re growing up. They may be playing with friends in the backyard or participating in local team sports. Whatever it is they’re into, you want to make sure that rough and tumble play doesn’t mean broken bones.
Many multivitamins include the important mineral, calcium, which can help with bone health. Calcium helps to fortify bones in growing bodies and childhood is an important stage in their bone development.
Better energy levels
It’s all ‘go go go!’ when you’re a kid. To help them stay active and ensure they don’t feel run down, they need to have the right vitamins to give them the energy they need each day. Sugary drinks and snacks might give them a small boost, but these options are not sustainable, nor healthy. If possible, give your child the right vitamins and nutrients through a balanced diet. If this isn’t possible, a multivitamin might help instead.
A head start on healthy habits
Teaching your kids healthy habits early in life will help them to grow up to be healthy and conscious of health decisions. Children who learn early on about multivitamins and ways of improving their health are more likely to be adults who care about their health, also. Getting the right vitamins and nutrients will give them a headstart on their health into adulthood.
Getting advice
If you are concerned about your child’s’ health or vitamin and mineral levels, it’s always best to have a chat with your doctor. Your doctor can provide you with personalised information and advice on your child’s’ health needs. Your doctor will also be able to assess their diet and refer you to a dietitian should it be deemed necessary.