The Top 5 Supplements for Kids

The Top 5 Supplements for Kids
The Top 5 Supplements for Kids

This post was not sponsored by JUICE PLUS+. All ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

As a mom of two young children, one of my top priorities is my children’s emotional and physical well-being. One of the ways in which I can ensure optimal health is by providing them with a nutritious diet that favours whole foods, such as organic dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and superfoods. Ideally, kids should get their vitamins from a balanced, healthy diet however, given the reality of day to day obligations and time-crunched parents, preparing homemade meals is not always possible. Plus, most kids tend to be finicky when it comes to certain foods, which makes it difficult to ensure they consume the vitamins and nutrients they need to sustain them.

Thankfully, we can bridge those nutritional gaps by complementing our children’s diets with high quality supplements, such as these top 5 supplements for kids:

Cod Liver Oil

The Top 5 Supplements for Kids

Although the best sources of this supplement is fish, seafood, and nuts, a cod liver oil supplement is an excellent addition to a child’s diet to sustain their brain development. It is one of the best high quality sources of healthy fats, and is processed naturally with all it’s antioxidants intact. On the downside, it is one of the toughest supplements to convince kids to take, due to its pungent flavour, and the fact that most small children cannot swallow these pills whole. One way to incorporate cod liver oil into your child’s diet is by extracting the oil from the capsule and adding it to a healthy, kid-friendly smoothie.

Probiotics

The Top 5 Supplements for Kids

Once upon a healthier time, all strains of probiotics were easily attainable from our food supply. Times have changed and so has the production of food. Nowadays, probiotic supplements are essential to maintain or improve gut flora, and children can greatly benefit from taking them daily since their gut flora is still developing. Probiotics, or ‘good bacteria’ help keep the harmful bacteria at bay and help increase immunity, thus making your child less prone to illness.

Vitamin D

The Top 5 Supplements for Kids

Vitamin D is crucial for a child’s health and development – it helps the body absorb minerals like calcium, builds strong teeth and bones, and helps regulate the immune system. Although I’m a firm believer that kids should be getting their Vitamin D outside, in the sun however, this is not always possible, especially during the winter months, or if you can live in a place that sees little sunshine. Vitamin D supplements will ensure your child gets enough year-round.

 

Trace Minerals

The Top 5 Supplements for Kids

Our bodies need trace minerals in small amounts. The water and foods we used to eat were sufficient enough to get them but nowadays we are facing mineral deficiencies. Trace mineral supplements can help ensure children assimilate all these minerals however, choose natural-based supplements, as synthetic versions of trace minerals are not easily recognized by our bodies and are often rejected.

Vitamin K2

The Top 5 Supplements for Kids

Vitamin K2 has been shown to preserve bone density and strength, and is one nutrient that children need to provide healthy longevity. Without enough Vitamin K2 (or menaquinone) in our diets, calcium cannot be adequately processed in the body. The main sources of Vitamin K2 are grass-fed animal sources and fermented foods, both of which many children do not consume on a consistent basis, or not at all. Vitamin K2 supplements should especially be considered for children follow vegan or vegetarian diets.

Whole Food Supplements

The Top 5 Supplements for Kids

There’s no doubt that fresh fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamins, but if that is not an option with your finicky child, consider incorporating all natural supplements, such as JUICE PLUS+ chewables into their diets. Whole food chewables are a better choice than synthetic vitamins, which may contain unhealthy additives and are much more difficult to digest. My children are both quite finicky about their veggies so this is a great option for me. With JUICE PLUS+ I can rest assured that my children are getting a boost of nutrition, in a fun and easy to eat chewable, that also tastes delicious!

*Please note that these top 5 supplements for kids are only suggestions, and that every child’s nutritional requirements will vary based on their own individual needs. It’s always a good idea to consult your physician, a naturopathic doctor, or a nutritionist before starting your child on any new supplement or herb regimen.



36 thoughts on “The Top 5 Supplements for Kids”

  • Nice post.
    A kid love to the crunchy & junk foods. But don’t that how badly it affect to their body. Both vegetables and fruit contain essential nutrients that are important for their health, growth, and development. But what to eat or what to not eat is a problem. Join 21-day fix review program. http://www.agirlwhomakes.com/reviews/21-day-fix/ It is basically a target plan in which we provide you just the fitness plan. You can also be fit by following the diet chart provided because Health is wealth.

  • I can so relate with you! It’s hard to make them eat what you want them to eat. Right now, I only give my kids Vitamin C and trace minerals. Vitamin k-12 and cod liver oil is new to me.

  • I remember having to take cod liver oil as a child and you are so right – it does taste terrible! I’m very glad my stepdaughter is tending to grow out of her pickiness, but will definitely check out the Juice Plus. We have her on a natural vitamin now, but I hadn’t heard of this brand before.

  • Thanks for sharing these. I’ll have to check out JuicePlus! Sounds like a great vitamin for little ones.

  • Thanks for sharing these suggestions. I have 2 toddlers, they are very active, healthy, eat well but I often forget to give them multivitamin.

  • This is an area where I struggle with my younger son. He doesn’t have a good appetite and he’s so picky with his meals. So having good supplements are important to make sure he’s getting his nutrients. I’ll definitely check out these recommendations. Thanks so much for sharing!

  • Cod liver oil is so good for you. I heard the probiotics is really beneficial to the body. Vitamin E keeps your body healthy. Great vitamin to take.

  • these are actually some great suppliments.I have heard quite few people talking about them

  • sayhellonature 7 years ago

    I’ll have to keep these in mind for my little girl! I want to make sure she’s as healthy as possible as she’s growing up!

  • It’s so important to make sure kids’ diets are well-balanced and well-rounded. I actually heard some great things about a bunch of supplements on your list. I will definitely check out the cod liver oil idea. It sounds like a wonderful addition.

    • I’ve done quite a bit of research, and also spoken to my doctor. These seem to be the consensus for the top ones!

  • I have always wanted to try Juice Plus for myself and my son. This is a great article and really helpful. I believe supplements are so important and I take a handful (or two) every day.

    • You should really consider trying Juice Plus, it’s a fantastic product. If you would like any more info, feel free to inbox me!

  • Emerald 7 years ago

    Thank you so much for sharing! I’ve been looking for organic supplements for my children. I try to go all natural with them unless it’s absolutely necessary. Those Juice Plus Chewables look pretty tasty, I may have to give those try.

    • They are! The first time my kids tasted them they asked for me. I’m pretty sure they thought they were candy, lol!

  • Tami Qualls 7 years ago

    I’ve been meaning to research supplements for my little guy. I’ve heard that he needs extra because of his sensory issues and apraxia. This is a great starting point for me to get the ball rolling.

  • I love these ideas, one of my grands goes to daycare, my daughter gives him vitamins to help him fight off germs and he is never sick!

  • Jeanine 7 years ago

    I eat worse than my kids do so I think I need to take all this into consideration for myself too! Gotta make sure we are all getting whats needed, especially our kiddos!

  • LisaFavre 7 years ago

    I am all about the cod liver oil as supplements. I have heard amazing things it can do for memory and the amount of antioxidants it helps release. I know many older folks who take this, but didn’t realize you could start taking them at a young age. Awesome!

  • I really wish all parents gave children supplements like this (and also to eat healthy), then there wont be too many health problems in the world. Great post

    • A healthy diet is #1 or course, but supplements are great too to ensure kids get all the nutrients they need.

  • I’ve heard really great things about Juice Plus+! It can be hard to find vitamins for the little ones, but these sound great!

  • Great list! I have been looking up on supplements for kids. I am trying to find some that will help my son with ADHD

  • Emma Spellman 7 years ago

    I have never heard of the vitamin k or juice plus. I am totally going to look into getting these for my kiddos. We have been eating healthy but I think this will help even more.

  • I did take Juice Plus for years – great product and wonderful that I always received the Kids vitamins also! Always enjoyed these!

  • This is a great list. My kids take most of these, especially probiotics and multivitamins. They also take Omega supplements especially since we are vegetarian.

  • Reading about all the vitamins that my son should have had makes me feel like I failed him lol. I gave him vitamin d, but that was about it!

    • You really shouldn’t think that way…we all do our best! And, vitamin D is one of the best supplements to give kids so kudos to you for choosing that one! If you want to know more about Juice Plus you can send me a direct message. It might be something worth looking into.

  • I’ve been worrying that the kids aren’t getting everything they need as far as nutrients go. I think supplements would be a good idea since they are such picky eaters.

  • Hard to get kids to eat everything they need. Heck hard for adults to get everything they need. Good find good vitamin.

    • Exactly! I eat such a clean diet but I know that there are still certain nutrients I’m not getting enough of…

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