A Guide to Gummy Vitamins

Everywhere you look whether it’s Google, Instagram, tv commercials… There’s a lot of fear mongering about nutrients. What’s the solution we see all the time? Multivitamins. I’d like to present you with a number of considerations to help you determine if your child needs one.

First, here are some facts:

• Gummy vitamins are not regulated by the FDA
• A recent report found 80% of gummy vitamins tested did not have the same amounts of vitamins/minerals stated on the label
• Many gummy vitamins contain added colors and sugars (not all)
• Due to the sticky nature of gummy vitamins, they increase the risk of cavities

Let’s address another question: Does my child NEED a multivitamin?
The answer is usually “no”

Parents feel the need to “cover their bases” to ensure their child is getting enough. If your child is eating a wide variety of foods, it’s very unlikely you need a supplement.

If you’re offering a wide variety of food and your child isn’t eating them – it’s time to talk to you pediatrician or preferably a pediatric dietitian to get an evaluation.

If you or your child are low in a certain vitamin or mineral (as diagnosed by your doctor), it’s best to only supplement that nutrient to avoid toxicity and unnecessary high intake of other nutrients.

The last point I wanted to make was that gummy vitamins look like candy. It’s simply not a good idea to teach children that anything remotely close to a medication is fun or candy-like.

If your doctor or dietitian does recommend a supplement, choose a liquid or even a chewable and explain to your child what it actually is. This simultaneously builds trust and models the cautionary behavior parents want when it comes to medicines/drugs.

The take home messages are:

• Children very rarely require a multivitamin supplement
• Gummy vitamins aren’t regulated by the FDA
• Food first (before supplements) is the best policy
  • Focus on providing a variety of nutrient-dense foods
  • Eat the same foods as your child
  • Eat together and model the behavior you want
• If your child has a diagnosed deficiency and requires supplementation, supplement that vitamin/mineral only and opt for a chewable or liquid version
  • Explain to your child what it is (medicine)

I sure hope this helps! Save or pin this post for easy future access.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gummy-vitamins
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/can-overdose-gummy-vitamins-6000.html

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