Multivitamins for Kids – Are They Necessary? by Sherry Torkos

As a pharmacist, one of the most common questions that I get from parents is whether their children should take multivitamins. In most cases my response is a resounding yes!

Let’s face it – most children are picky eaters. They have their favourite foods and often that doesn't include broccoli, spinach, and kale. Greens aside, getting kids to eat nutrient dense healthful foods is not always easy. Fast food like hot dogs, mac and cheese and chicken fingers are part of the typical kid’s diet and these foods are typically devoid of nutrients. Targeted marketing of junk food to kids, fast food meals with toy incentives, along with busy family lifestyles are a reality in society today. Adding to the nutritional dilemma is the fact that our food supply today has lower levels of nutrients. Crops are grown in nutrient-depleted soil, produce is picked before it is ripe and shipped in from foreign countries and pesticides are widely used. All of these factors can reduce the nutrient levels in produce.

So to bridge the nutritional gaps and to ensure that your kids are getting all of the essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids that their bodies require to grow and flourish, a multivitamin and mineral complex is an important consideration.

When it comes to choosing supplements for your child, there are a several attributes to look for in a product.

Purity: look for a product that is free of dyes, artificial flavourings and unnecessary fillers and potential allergens, such as lactose, soy, yeast and gluten.

Format: children’s multivitamins come in various formats, including chewable tablets, gummies, liquids and powders. Many tablets contain dyes and fillers. Gummies can be hard on the teeth (especially if they contain sugar) and liquid products can be expensive and unpalatable.

Taste: it goes without saying that if the product doesn’t taste good then it is going to be a challenge to get the child to take it. This is a battle no parent wants to have each day. New powder formulations, such as those offered by allKiDz® offer advantages in that they are convenient, taste great (natural strawberry flavour) and they contain xylitol as a sweetener, which helps to fight bacteria in the mouth.

When it comes to keeping your child healthy and well nourished, encourage a whole foods diet, eating foods as close to their natural form as possible and consider supplements to complement their diet.

About the author:

Sherry Torkos

is a pharmacist, author, certified fitness instructor and health enthusiast who enjoys sharing her passion with others. As a leading health expert, she has delivered hundreds of lectures to medical professionals and the public. Sherry is frequently interviewed on radio and TV talk shows throughout North America and abroad on health matters. Sherry has authored 18 books and booklets, including The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Saving Women’s Hearts, and The Glycemic Index Made Simple.

For more information visit: https://www.sherrytorkos.com