Growing up is easier when the body has all the nutrients it needs to thrive and develop. Discover what are the best vitamins for kids here.
All parents do their best to convince the little fussy eaters in the family to eat their veggies. From brightly coloured bowls to using delicious smoothies as a cover for all sorts of fruits and vegetables, any trick is worth trying to make the foods containing those important vitamins for kids more appealing.
Although it’s normal for kids to be hesitant when it comes to new food, parents need to be on the lookout to make sure the little ones get all the nutrients they need for growing up. Don’t hesitate to talk to a doctor if you’re struggling to get kids on the veggie train. If there are any vitamin or mineral deficiencies that need to be resolved, doctors will sometimes recommend supplements for that little extra help.
All nutrients have important jobs to do to keep us healthy, but a few of them tend to get more attention when it comes to a child’s growth and development. Here are some of the best vitamins for kids and the best food sources to get them.
Vitamin A plays a key part in keeping our vision, skin and immune response in top condition. No wonder little bodies need it in the right quantity to keep growing healthy. Luckily, vitamin A is present in many wonderful foods, so chances are all you have to do to give the whole family their daily dose of this great nutrient is to open the fridge. Dairy, spinach, carrots and sweet potatoes are excellent sources and most of them come in amazing colours ready to make kids like them even more. Many foods also come fortified with vitamin A, including cereals and milk.
Kids should take all the vitamin A they need from their diet, but if this is proving difficult, supplements are available so they don’t miss out on this important nutrient. Depending on the child’s age, the ideal quantity of vitamin A for kids is between 350 and 400 micrograms per day according to the NHS:
From its amazing role in keeping our immune system working as it should to making sure iron is properly absorbed by our bodies, vitamin C is an impressive nutrient at any age and it’s vital for the growth and development of the youngest among us. This means it’s one of the best vitamins for kids. Make sure they’re not missing out on this vitamin by adding plenty of strawberries, oranges and kiwis to their plate for snack time. Peppers and tomatoes are also full of vitamin C and make a great addition to any meal.
But if your child needs extra help to get the necessary amount of this precious vitamin, vitamin C supplements might be one of the solutions your doctor will recommend. Keep an eye on the daily amounts offered to make sure they don’t exceed the NHS recommended dose:
The sunshine vitamin helps teeth, bones and muscles grow strong and healthy, which means little ones will need plenty of it. The best way to get vitamin D is to spend time in the sun, but this can be tricky for kids especially in the hot summer days. Babies are also usually shielded from sunlight most of the time which means their little bodies might not be able to produce enough vitamin D. This is why the Department of Health and Social Care recommend a daily supplement:
Don’t forget that you can always offer food sources of vitamin D to older children as well. Eggs and oily fish are some of the best options to make sure they’re getting plenty of this important vitamin for kids.
The family of B vitamins comes with many benefits and although not all eight vitamins in this group need to be present in substantial quantities in our kids’ diets, they hold the key to many important functions. For example:
Kids can take most of the necessary B vitamins from foods such as meat, nuts, seeds, eggs or dairy. But if the doctor discovers a deficiency that doesn’t seem to be resolved by food alone, supplements do exist to help them get that extra boost. You can find them in multivitamins as well as in vitamin B complex supplements. The health practitioner will recommend the best way to keep the little one’s vitamin B intake topped up, so make sure to ask for their help and advice before deciding on a particular B vitamin for kids.
Parents struggling with fussy eaters can sometimes get a bit of help from carefully formulated supplements for kids. But remember that they should not replace a balanced diet and a wide variety of foods. Always ask for a doctor’s advice before offering any vitamins to kids and keep an eye on the daily dose, as having too much vitamins can pose a risk for their little bodies.
Now that you know what nutrients contribute to keeping children healthy, you’re probably wondering what vitamins can help give you a boost as well. Find out what are the best vitamins for women and what vitamins are beneficial for men as well.
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