Your kids are growing faster than you can keep up with it feels sometimes. They are maturing and developing both physically and mentally right before your eyes. This is why it is so critical they receive the right amount of all the nutrients their developing bodies need to achieve their full potential.
Eating a diet rich in organic, colorful, nutrient dense whole foods is the best way to achieve this. That is, however, easier said than done. Kids are picky eaters! They just don’t seem to care that kale is chalk-full of phytonutrients or that salmon is rich in brain-boosting DHA. So, what’s a parent to do?
I’ve got some great tips here for how to get your picky eater eating healthy, but a supplemental multivitamin is a great backup. Kids’ growing bodies need a lot of nutrients to undergo the development of their brain, GI system, nervous system, etc. Finding a high quality multivitamin is a great step in the right direction to ensure they are getting the vitamins, minerals and even trace minerals they need.
Our children need proper nutrition as much, if not MORE than we do.
All Multis Are Not Created Equal
There are a lot of multivitamins marketed to kids. From Flintstones chewables to colorful gummy bears, there is an option sure to please the pickiest of children. But, not all multis are created equal. Many of these supplements targeted to kids are loaded with sugar, food dyes, chemicals and poorly absorbed nutrients. 
When shopping for a multivitamin for your kids, you want to look for a reputable brand that contains high quality, easily absorbed nutrients in the right amounts. Look to avoid any supplements containing dyes, fake sugars or common allergens (gluten, dairy, corn and soy).
What To Avoid
Artificial Sweeteners
A term used for unknown artificial and synthetic chemicals
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
A trans fat, which can weaken a child’s immune and/or cardiovascular system
Aspartame
An artificial sweetener linked to both immune and neurological disorders (also called NutraSweet)
Red #40
A synthetic dye shown to cause colon system damage
Yellow #6 and Blue #2
Synthetic dyes linked to hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children
Allergens
Look for a multi that is free of gluten, dairy, soy, corn and artificial colors or flavors- all common allergens in children
What To Look For
Vitamin A in the Form of Beta Carotene 
Promotes healthy vision and a strong immune system
At Least 100% DV of Vitamin C
Promotes tissue growth and repair as well as healthy gums
B Vitamins
Supports heart health, strong bones, the skin and GI system as well as overall cell health (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folic acid, B12)
Essential Minerals and Trace Minerals
Look for “chelated” forms of these minerals, as they are more readily absorbed by the body (calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, boron, vanadium, etc.)
How Much Sugar is Too Much?
Let’s be honest. Your kids are not going to take a multivitamin- no matter how much you plead or yell- if it doesn’t taste good! Some sugar is okay in your kid’s multivitamin. You want to make sure you are avoiding aspartame and high fructose corn syrup and purchasing one that contains more natural sugars, like fructose, stevia or xylitol. If a few grams of natural sugar are what it takes to get your kids downing the vitamins and minerals their growing bodies need, I’d consider that a win.
Look for a multivitamin that tastes good, but contains less than 8g of sugar, avoiding aspartame and high fructose corn syrup altogether.
Let’s Go Shopping!
Now you are ready to head out there and purchase a multivitamin for your child you can be confident is doing it’s job, without any of the dangerous side effects of so many other multis out on the market.
Still unsure which one’s right for your family? Contact me for some suggestions.
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