From A to Zinc: The Essential Guide to the Best Multivitamins for Kids
Multivitamins can be essential to your kid's health and development regimen. They provide vital nutrients that may be missing from your child's diet due to picky eaters, food sensitivities, or allergies. On average, 60% of children consume less fruit than they should, while a staggering 93% consume less vegetables than recommended. Thus, filling in the gaps with vitamin and mineral supplements can further support their growth and development, brain function, and emotional development. Also, they can help boost their immune system, especially during the school year, helping them fight off illnesses more effectively. Vitamins are essential for young children as their bodies are still growing and developing.
When selecting a multivitamin for your child, make sure that the ingredients are suitable for your child's age group. Also, it's important to remember that multivitamins are supplements — not replacements — for your child's regular intake of fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods. Giving your kids a well-balanced diet is vital for their health and well-being, so be sure to take the time to research which multivitamin is best suited for them.
Keep reading to find out more about the 6 best multivitamins for kids. With this comprehensive guide, you will be equipped with the knowledge to make an informed decision about multivitamins.
My Selection Process
I've heard from many parents that navigating the world of children's vitamin supplements can feel overwhelming. The array of choices is vast, yet regrettably, numerous options are laden with added flavors and colors. It can be disheartening to believe you've stumbled upon a beneficial choice, only to realize it falls short of its "so-called" healthiness.
The world of kid multivitamins predominantly features options presented as liquids, gummies, or chewable tablets. Unfortunately, most kids vitamins include the addition of sugar to enhance taste and texture, strategically enticing children to embrace these dietary supplements. In addition, it's worth noting that several of my top recommendations listed below do contain added sugar, as very few companies have chosen to craft multivitamins without sugar. But, I found two outstanding companies that do not include added sugar and are third- party tested for heavy metals, toxins, and other contaminants.
However, rest assured, I've meticulously curated a dependable roster of the top-rated multivitamins specially formulated for children and toddlers. My thorough investigation has encompassed comprehensive inquiries into the practices of each manufacturer, including direct correspondence and verification of their commitment to quality ingredients and third-party testing. This rigorous process guarantees that the products highlighted here meet purity, potency, and safety standards. Continue reading to learn more about the 6 best multivitamins for kids.
Hiya Multivitamin for Kids
Best for immunity, growth, and development.
Why I Dig It
Hiya is the perfect option to keep your little ones healthy and strong. This daily chewable tablet contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals, is SUGAR-FREE and is made from an organic fruit and vegetable blend. The chewable tablets can provide the proper support for your children's growth and development without relying on gummy vitamins possibly made from pork-based additives and hard-to-pronounce ingredients or artificial flavors. This supplement can also improve immunity, inflammation, bone health, focus, and concentration.
Furthermore, unlike many other gummy vitamins, Hiya's are non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. With all the essential vitamins and minerals, you can rest assured that Hiya's multivitamin for kids will keep your kids healthy, strong, and nutritionally balanced, all without the risk of added sugar that come with traditional vitamins.
The Data Dump
Hiya is produced in a Good Manufacturing Practice-certified facility, meaning it meets the highest product quality and safety standards. They also conduct independent third-party testing to ensure the vitamins and minerals listed on the labels match what's in the multivitamin blend and that it is free of heavy metals, allergens, and pathogens. Hiya is the optimal choice for quality ingredients and safety and is one of my top choices as the best children's vitamins for overall health and development.
MaryRuth's Kids Multivitamin
Best for supporting immune function and overall wellness.
Why I Dig It
This delicious, strawberry cherry vanilla flavored liquid supplement is sugar-free and is suitable for even the pickiest eaters. It also delivers vitamins, antioxidants, and other key nutrients with greater bioavailability because of its Liposomal technology. Besides supporting tissue, bone, and vision, essential for normal growth and development in children, this supplement may also help improve energy levels, support immune function, brain development, and connective tissue and skin while helping to build bones and teeth. It may even support brain function and cognitive development.
Plus, it is certified USDA organic, non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, gluten and wheat-free, soy-free, and corn-free. It's also free of any artificial colors and MSG. Simply take 1/2 tablespoon (7.5 mL) daily for children aged 4-8 and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) daily for children aged 9-13.
This multivitamin can be taken directly, added to a blended beverage, or as a topping on various foods. For optimal flavor and product performance, it is recommended that you refrigerate before and after opening.
The Data Dump
If you're looking for the best way to keep your little ones healthy and strong, look no further than MaryRuth's Organics. This product offers the highest safety standards – its rigorous third-party testing meets the most advanced ISO 17025-certified standards, and its Clean Label Project certification guarantees that contaminants such as microbes and heavy metals are eliminated.
Also, the Prop 65 parameters for heavy metal testing guarantee consistent and outstanding test results before the product reaches your home. Thus, you can trust that you're giving your children a pure and high-quality multivitamin that will meet their needs without the worry of chemicals and heavy metals that could be harmful to your children's health. MaryRuth Organics is the perfect one-stop shop to ensure your children can achieve and maintain their fullest health potential. This is another one of my top children's multivitamin recommendations for immune function, growth, and development.
First Day Kids Multivitamin Yummy Gummies
Best for immune support and brain function.
Why I Dig It
First Day multivitamin gummies are formulated with 12 organic fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients to ensure your kiddos get adequate levels of essential vitamins and aid in healthy growth and development. Also, it can help support brain function, immunity, and emotional development.
First Day has gone the extra mile to ensure they use only the best ingredients — so you can rest assured that these gummies contain ingredients you can pronounce, produced to the highest standards. This supplement offers up to 80% less sugar than other children's multivitamins. And the gummies are also vegan, gelatin, gluten, tree nut, fish, dairy, egg, shellfish, soy, peanut, and non-GMO free!
The Data Dump
First Day's top-quality vitamins are created from the ground up with expert hands and a team that has diligently reviewed over 35,000 studies to ensure your little ones receive all they need for healthy growth and development. The supplements have passed strict third-party testing for microbiology and heavy metal contaminants. First Day strives for transparency and quality and is actively working on posting the Certificates of Analysis.
SmartyPants Kids Multi & Probiotics Gummy
Best for immune support, energy, and digestive health.
Why I Dig It
SmartyPants kids multivitamin gummy is a certified organic multivitamin that contains 14 essential nutrients, giving kids the vitamins and minerals they need to thrive. The gummy vitamin is packed with vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin B12, providing immunity and strong bones and teeth.
Also, this supplement contains natural spore-forming probiotics with a 99% survivability rate to help support digestive health, making these gummies the perfect way for your kids to get the necessary vitamins and minerals along with gut support. They're also non-GMO, free of gluten, gelatin, milk, eggs, shellfish, soy, peanut, wheat, fish, and tree nuts. These gummies include 4 grams of added sugar from organic cane sugar and organic tapioca syrup.
The Data Dump
SmartyPants take rigorous measures throughout the manufacturing process to guarantee that what's on the label is accurate to the product and safe to consume. Their ingredients are sustainable, and their facilities meet or exceed FDA Good Manufacturing Practices. Each batch SmartyPants creates is third-party tested by an independent laboratory for the absence of pesticides, residual solvents, microbial contaminants, heavy metals, and gluten. Also, they have obtained a Clean Label Project certification, which tests for chemicals such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plasticizers.
If you provide SmartyPants with your LOT number, they can provide you with the Certificate of Analysis. Additionally, SmartyPants has certifications from Kitchens with Confidence for most of their formulas. This certification includes 'certified free from' the top 8 allergens and 'certified gluten-free.'
SmartyPants Toddler Gummy Multivitamin
Best for immune and antioxidant support.
Why I Dig It
SmartyPants toddler gummy vitamins include 15 essential nutrients like vitamin D3 for bones, vitamin B12 to support energy metabolism, and omega-3 EPA & DHA (from fish oil) for heart health, all in easy-to-take gummies. Plus, it contains key nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin B6, vitamin K2, and choline for overall well-being. The vitamins are non-GMO and free of milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nut allergens, fish, shellfish, soy, gluten, and wheat. This supplement does include 2 grams of added sugar from organic cane sugar and organic tapioca syrup.
The Data Dump
SmartyPants take rigorous measures throughout its manufacturing process to ensure that the final product you consume or give to your children is accurate to what's on the label and safe to use. They go above and beyond FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) by responsibly sourcing their ingredients and maintaining high standards in their manufacturing facilities.
SmartyPants undergo a thorough third-party certification by NSF or UL to guarantee that their manufacturers comply with all regulations. These certifications audit their facilities against FDA regulations and the best practices in the industry.
Every batch of SmartyPants products is subjected to testing by a third-party laboratory. This testing ensures each product's purity, potency, and safety and the tests cover various aspects, such as the absence of pesticides, residual solvents, microbial contaminants, heavy metals, and gluten. Additionally, they have obtained a Clean Label Project certification, which tests for chemicals such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plasticizers.
If you provide SmartyPants with the LOT number for your bottle, they can provide you with a Certificate of Analysis, further demonstrating their commitment to transparency and accountability.
MaryRuth’s Kids Multivitamin Gummies
Best for promoting growth and development and supporting immune function.
Why I Dig It
MaryRuth’s Organics gummy vitamins are a nutritious and tasty way to give your kids the organic vitamins and minerals their growing bodies need to prevent any nutritional gaps in their diet. This specific supplement is best suited for children ages 4 and older. Combining mixed berry and cherry flavors in a gummy form your kid will love.
Featuring vitamins A, C, D3, and E and an array of beneficial B vitamins, these gummies also include key ingredients like iodine, zinc, and more. These key nutrients promote normal growth and development, promote good vision, support a healthy immune system, and help build bones and teeth.
These USDA organic, non-GMO gummies are vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and even nightshade-free. Feel confident with MaryRuth’s vitamins for kids as it doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup; however, unlike MaryRuth’s liquid multivitamin, these gummies include 4 grams of added sugar derived from organic cane sugar.
The Data Dump
MaryRuth’s prioritizes safety and product quality. Their rigorous testing by third-party experts adheres to ISO 17025-certified standards, ensuring that contaminants like microbes and heavy metals are completely eliminated. Additionally, they have obtained a Clean Label Project certification, which tests for chemicals such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plasticizers.
Moreover, the Prop 65 parameters for heavy metal testing guarantee top-tier, consistent results for every Certificate of Analysis before being put on the market. You can trust MaryRuth's is a safe and reliable product.
Benefits of Multivitamins for Kids
Multivitamins offer many valuable benefits for children, supporting their overall growth, development, and well-being. Growing bodies require a diverse range of essential nutrients to thrive, and multivitamins can help bridge the nutritional gaps that may arise from picky eating habits or inadequate dietary intake. These supplements are specifically formulated to provide a balanced combination of vitamins and minerals crucial for bone health, immune function, and cognitive development. For parents, multivitamins offer peace of mind knowing that their children are receiving the necessary nutrients, even when their diets might fall short.
Vitamins A, C, D3, and E are essential for strengthening the immune system to prevent infections. Vitamins B6 and B12 are needed for the production of red blood cells, which helps carry oxygen throughout the body. Vitamin D can help strengthen bones and teeth by improving calcium absorption, and zinc plays a vital role in overall development and immune health.
Multivitamins can also help children with cognitive development, as specific vitamins are necessary for proper brain function. Additionally, research has found that multivitamin supplementation may reduce the risk of developing illnesses like asthma, metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes in children. Therefore, taking steps to ensure your child receives all their essential nutrients through a balanced diet (i.e., eat the rainbow) and supplements can promote their overall health and well-being.
Proper nutrition plays an essential role in a child's growth and development and multivitamins can be a great way to fill in the gaps. Parents can ensure their children are receiving all the essential vitamins and minerals to get the best nutrition to support healthy growth and development.
Multivitamins for Kids FAQs
Learn about the benefits of kids multivitamins and how to keep your children healthy. I've researched all the information you need to make an informed decision about multivitamins. If you have any lingering questions – I've got you covered!
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Multivitamins for kids are supplements that provide a wide variety of vitamins and minerals to help support their growth and development. They can be taken in pill, gummy, or liquid form and are designed to fill any nutritional gaps that may exist when children don't consume a balanced diet.
Typically multivitamins contain vitamins A, C, D3, E, K2; thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin( B7); folic acid or folate(MTHF); iodine; zinc; magnesium; copper; selenium; manganese; and chromium. They may also include other nutrients such as choline and omega 3 fatty acids like DHA & EPA, plus other herbs with vitamin-like properties like spirulina or gut-supporting probiotics.
Multivitamins can support growth, development, and energy levels by providing these essential micronutrients that children do not always get from daily food sources alone. However, it's recommended to discuss with your pediatrician whether your child might benefit from taking regular multivitamin supplements - particularly if they're following a vegetarian or vegan diet, as these diets tend to lack certain essential micronutrients found naturally in animal foods such as iron and zinc. Taking multivitamins ensures your kids get the essential vitamins and minerals they need for healthy growth and development. -
Children need to obtain their recommended levels of essential vitamins and minerals, and daily multivitamins can help. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 90% of children in the US do not reach their recommended daily servings of vegetables. This could be due to many factors, such as picky eating or a lack of access.
A daily multivitamin may provide the necessary nutrients that may be missing in their diet; however, it is important to choose carefully when selecting a multivitamin. Ultimately, ensuring kids get enough essential nutrients from food sources should always remain paramount over taking vitamin supplements. -
As a parent, the decision to introduce multivitamins into your child's diet ultimately rests with you. However, it is worth considering the potential benefits they can provide. While opinions on their use may vary, it is important to acknowledge that it can be challenging for children and adults to obtain all the necessary vitamins and minerals solely from food.
In the case of children, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that their health can be compromised by inadequate nutrition via the consumption of ultra-processed foods. Therefore, parents must ensure that their children receive proper nutrient intake from all sources, including food and, potentially, supplements. It is recommended to encourage a diverse range of colorful fruits and vegetables as part of a "rainbow diet" to provide essential nutrients.
If you feel the need, supplementing with a multivitamin can be beneficial. Additionally, modern agricultural practices have led to a depletion of nutrients in our soil, resulting in less nutritious produce. Furthermore, our modern environment exposes us and our children to numerous environmental toxins daily, placing additional stress on their bodies and increasing their nutrient requirements compared to children from a century ago.
In summary, just like adults, children can benefit from a high-quality multivitamin tailored to their needs. It is advisable to consult with a pediatrician or registered dietician (RD) to determine which type(s) of multivitamin supplements are best suited for your child before incorporating them into their diet. -
Absolutely! Taking a multivitamin and probiotic together is possible and beneficial for optimal health. Multivitamins are necessary for providing essential vitamins and minerals that our body needs but may not get enough of through diet alone. Probiotics contain live microorganisms, or bacteria, that benefit the digestive tract and gut microbiome.
When both of these supplements are taken together, they can help improve overall well-being by providing your child with an array of nutrients while fostering proper digestion and absorption in the gut, improving gut flora, and enhancing the immune system. -
It is important for kids to take vitamins regularly; however, the timing of when they should take them varies depending on the type of vitamin. For example, fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K are best taken with meals or snacks containing some dietary fat to maximize absorption. On the other hand, water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin B and vitamin C can be taken anytime.
However, since multivitamins contain various vitamins and minerals, I suggest taking them after a meal or snack. I recommend sticking to a schedule so that intake remains consistent over time.
If you're looking for an easy way to remember when your child should take his/her daily multivitamin, you might consider making nighttime their designated vitamin time! -
This largely depends on your individual preferences. However, it's important to note that gummy vitamins have pros and cons. One advantage of gummy vitamins is convenience—they can be taken quickly and easily without water. Gummies are also often tastier than the hard chewable tablets, making them more palatable for children.
Gummy vitamins are often filled with gelatin, a pork-based additive. Thus, always read the entire nutrition label, especially the "other ingredients" list. In addition, gummies can get stuck in teeth, contributing to cavities and gummies can inadvertently associate health with candy-like treats, potentially leading to unhealthy habits or dangerous overconsumption of the multivitamin. Gummies are susceptible to heat and melting, resulting in fewer nutrients than expected. As a result, many experts recommend chewable alternatives as the preferred method for parents seeking to ensure their children's well-being. However, not all multivitamins are created equal, so do your research! -
Yes, picky eaters need vitamins. While eating a balanced and diverse diet is essential for receiving most of our nutrients, those who cannot or will not eat particular foods are at risk of vitamin deficiencies. Fortunately, there are ways to get all the micronutrients you need, even if your dietary habits are limited.
According to a study analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006 in the United States, children and adults, who consume high amounts of added sugars, tend to have lower dietary intakes of various essential micronutrients. Specifically, vitamins A, C, and E, and magnesium.
Some key nutritional deficiencies that can arise in picky eaters include vitamin D3 deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, calcium deficiency, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency, and zinc deficiency. Due to the limited range of food consumed by a picky eater, only certain textures or tastes are often accepted; this lack of positive variety could lead to a deficit of important vitamins and minerals required for health maintenance. Additionally, probiotic supplements can effectively increase nutrient intake in picky eaters by introducing healthy microbiota into the gut.
Also, consider talking with your doctor or registered dietitian regarding other strategies you can implement into their diet that will help meet all the required nutritional demands. -
Yes, multivitamins can help a child's behavior in many ways. Extensive research involving both adults and children has demonstrated the positive effects of broad-spectrum micronutrients, which include minerals and vitamins, on enhancing mood regulation and attention. These clinical studies provide compelling evidence for incorporating these micronutrients into dietary interventions to promote better emotional well-being and cognitive function.
According to a study conducted in 2000, it was found that providing a group of 40 schoolchildren aged 6-12 years with a comprehensive range of nutrients led to a significant decrease of 47% in antisocial behaviors that required disciplinary action compared to another group of 40 children who received a placebo.
Chronic deficiencies of certain minerals such as zinc, iron, magnesium, and iodine and insufficient dietary intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may significantly impact the development and deepening of the symptoms of ADHD in children.
In my opinion, the evidence is clear; multivitamins can improve your child's behavior if taken regularly over time – it doesn't happen overnight but can be very beneficial in influencing positive behavioral changes such as increased attention span at home or school - which ultimately leads to improved academic performance too!
The Recap
All in all, multivitamins can be a great addition to your children's everyday health regimen. With the right supplement, you can provide them with essential vitamins and minerals they may otherwise lack from their diet. I hope this comprehensive guide has given you a better understanding of multivitamins for kids and how they can bolster your child's physical and emotional growth. With this guide to the 6 best multivitamins for kids in hand, you will now have more clarity when selecting the perfect supplement for your family.
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