Millions of children in the United States take a multivitamin supplement on a daily basis. According to Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, consumers commonly believe that these supplements can fend off chronic disease and boost immunity. However, there's little evidence that vitamin supplements are necessary for children or adults. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends multivitamins only for children who are at risk for a deficiency, athough the organization does note the benefits of vitamin D supplements. If you do choose to give your child a multivitamin, the following options are both great-tasting and balanced.
Animal Parade
Animal Parade children's multivitamins, manufactured as part of the Nature's Plus "Source of Life" product line, have a delicious natural flavor. In grape, orange and cherry, Animal Parade vitamins provide a full spectrum of micronutrients, along with extracts of several different fruits and vegetables. The Animal Parade texture is similar to that of other popular multivitamins, such as Flintstones, but all of the product's flavors are gathered from natural fruits and vegetables. Animal Parade is also free of artificial colors and sweeteners.
Rhino Chewy Vites
Rhino Chewy Vites have a taste and texture similar to gummy bears or gummy worms. These flavorful chews are available in a full spectrum of delicious flavors, including strawberry, lemon, cherry, orange, white grape and tropical punch. Many children find the texture of gummy vitamins more pleasant than the texture of conventional, crunchy multivitamins. However, it does not contain a significant amount of iron, so it would not adequately prevent or treat iron deficiency anemia in children.
Li'l Critters Gummy Bear Vitamins
Like Rhino Chewy Vites, Li'l Critters Gummy Bear vitamins have a taste and texture reminiscent of conventional candies, not bad-tasting multivitamins. With a naturally fruity flavor, these gummy bear vitamins are completely free of any artificial flavors, sweeteners or colors. Li'l Critters Gummy Bear vitamins come in four flavors: orange, strawberry, cherry and lemon. Like Rhino ChewyVites, these vitamins do not contain enough iron to meet your child's total daily needs. Ask your child's pediatrician before using this product if your child has been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. It may not address his nutritional needs.
Rainbow Light Nutri-Stars
This very complex children's multivitamin contains dozens of micronutrients, including many trace minerals not found in other vitamins. Nutri-Stars have a crunchy tablet texture and a pleasant "fruit blast" flavor. The punchlike taste of Nutri-Stars will please the palate of even the pickiest children. Nutri-Stars are naturally sweetened with fruit sugars and contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Despite its pleasantly sweet taste, it is low in sugar compared to some other supplements for children.
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