Nowadays, kids do not take enough fruits and vegetables to meet their daily needs for vitamins. Most of them like readymade processed foods, which are poor in nutrition, including vitamins and minerals.
Like adults, children can take vitamin supplements. However, until your kids are 4, they should not consume any multivitamin supplement unless your doctor checks and prescribes them. And most importantly, supplements should not be the alternative to homemade whole foods, natural fruits, and vegetables.
The daily dose of vitamins required for a kid is different from an adult’s daily requirement. For example, a kid needs 4.1 mg of iron every day, whereas an adult needs 6 mg. Children’s vitamin supplements are designed based on their requirements. And it’s best not to offer them the higher dose, which is suitable for adults.
Now the question is, when can the kids take the adult vitamins? Which is the ideal age to prescribe adult vitamins for kids? This article will discuss all the points on vitamins suitable for the kid’s age group.
Do Kids Need Vitamins
In general, multivitamins are not an inevitable need for a healthy kid to grow fine naturally. Therefore, most of the time, your keed will not need a daily dose of multivitamins at all. Besides, they even will not require a mega-dose of a specific vitamin.
However, doctors prefer taking supplements only when they find symptoms of a lack of specific vitamins. Therefore, consult your doctor for any kind of supplementary nutrition like vitamins and minerals.
What Type of Vitamins are Suitable for Kids
The most suitable vitamins for your kids are those developed for their age group. Note that, many supplements are not ideal for your kids, especially the vitamins available in shops for adults. This is because the daily doses of specific vitamins are different for kids.
Are Kids’ Vitamins Different Than Adults
Generally, there is no real difference between the active ingredients of the vitamins and minerals? For example, the elements of vitamin C are the same for kids and adults.
However, the difference is in the daily requirements and doses.
From Which Age Your Kids Can Take Adult Vitamins
Children over 4 years can intake the same amount of micronutrients as adults. But that doses are not prescribed for all the vitamins and minerals applicable to adults. Only some selected nutrients are ideal for kids.
Besides, children between the ages of four and 12 should not have more than 50% of the adult RDA of the major vitamins and minerals.
However, if your kids reach 14 and need complementary vitamin doses, you can try the adult formula. At 14, the Recommended Dietary Allowance increases with a significant jump.
And if your girl has got her menstrual period, she will probably need a bigger dose of Iron, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C. These minerals are needed for the speedy production of blood vessels. Else, the young girls become weak and can become prone to anemia. And for her, there is no risk of using the same amounts of adult vitamins.
When and Why Kids Need Vitamin Supplements
Kids who can take all their meals at home, usually don’t need any multivitamin supplements. Homemade foods are always rich in nutrients. However, as kids start to grow up, they have to stay outside for a long part of their days. And there are not many options for them to consume processed foods.
Based on the real situations and health conditions, the pediatricians prescribe a daily dose of multivitamins and mineral supplements. However, a daily amount of vitamins are required for the kids who fall on the following lists:
- When your kids are the picky eaters
- If your kids miss their meal schedule regularly
- Kids who do not take enough food for a healthy body
- When the kids who do not eat whole foods
- If your kid faces a digestion issue
- Kids who are going under regular treatment or medication
- When your kids intake carbonated sodas and beverages; these drinks drain away necessary minerals and vitamins
- While your kids like more processed food and fast food
- If your kids have to rely on commercially produced convenience food outside
- While your kids have milk allergies and can not take enough dairy foods, they need vitamin D, iron, and calcium supplements
- If the kids do not like or take enough animal protein
Most Important Vitamins and Minerals for Kids
When your kids grow fast, they need some vitamins and minerals more than adults. They need a wide variety of supplements, but the three most vital elements are vitamin D, iron, and zinc.
Caution About the Vitamins
Most of the vitamins might have sugar and food colors. And some of them really taste like candy which your kids may take more than their daily requirements. But, it’s not good to use overdosed supplements. Therefore, keep them out of reach of your kids.
However, as we are discussing the usage of adult vitamins here, there are still chances that your kids might intake more than the allowed daily amount.
Chewable vitamins are good for kids. Offer them after meals. Fat-soluble vitamins are the only nutrients that kids can take with foods.
If your kids are taking medicines, consult with doctors if the drugs interrelate with certain vitamins and minerals. If that happens, certain types of vitamins can affect the performance of drugs.
Final Thoughts
Very few multivitamins supplements are made without sugar and artificial colors. You should not offer any kind of multivitamin and minerals supplements to your kids if their age is not yet 4 years. Even if they are older than 4 years, their RDA is not equal to an adult. An overdose of vitamins can harm instead of be useful.
Always take your doctor’s and nutritionist’s advice before the kid starts the vitamin courses. And remember, supplementary nutrients can not substitute natural foods, including fruits and vegetables.
