As a parent, you naturally want what's best for your child. Unfortunately,
children often have ideas of their own. You want him to eat right and
stay healthy, but all he wants is cake, chips, pizza, and ice cream.
You make the time to prepare a nutritious home-cooked meal with fresh
produce, whole grains, and plenty of lean protein, but he refuses to
eat anything but macaroni and cheese.
Perhaps you've considered giving your child a vitamin supplement, but
you're confused by the experts who say that vitamins aren't a magic pill
for good nutrition. Vitamins are definitely not the ideal method of getting
the nutrients your child needs, but they are a step in the right direction.
You can find multivitamins and vitamin supplements for children at online
stores and traditional retailers. Vitamins intended for children are
specifically labeled as such; a vitamin supplement made for an adult
will be too strong for your child. Most brands of vitamin supplements
offer the same nutrition. Vitamins that are more expensive are usually
the most heavily advertised brands.
Children who don't eat enough fruits and vegetables often need a supplement
with vitamin C. Children who consume a lot of sugar and processed foods
may need a supplement with B complex vitamins. Zinc, chromium, magnesium,
and calcium are also lacking in many children's diets. Ask your pediatrician
for advice if you are unsure what type of supplement is best for your
child.
Since many children have trouble swallowing pills, vitamins for children
are available in chewable and liquid formats as well as the traditional
tablet and capsule forms. Some brands of vitamin supplements are even
made to taste like gum balls or gummy bears; if you decide to purchase
a supplement that looks like candy, remember to keep it in a safe place
to prevent your child from taking more than the recommended dosage. |
