Vitamin manufacturers put a lot of effort into convincing parents to buy vitamin and mineral supplements for their children. There are many different products for kids of all ages.
This may make you think that your child needs to take extra vitamins; however, this isn't necessarily true. You may just be wasting your money feeding your child supplements they don't need. In some cases, this could even be harmful.
How can you tell if your child really needs vitamin and mineral supplements?
What's Your Child's Diet Like?
If people eat a healthy and varied diet, then they get all the vitamins and minerals they need from their food. This goes for kids as well as adults.
So, if your child is a good eater and eats lot of different and healthy foods, then they aren't likely to need extra supplements. However, there are times when a vitamin or mineral boost might be useful.
For example, picky eaters who won't touch anything healthy may lack some core vitamins or minerals. If your child is a vegetarian or vegan, then they may need a supplement.
Does Your Child Have a Medical Condition?
Some medical conditions affect the way that people absorb and use vitamins that come from food. For example, if your child has a condition like IBS or has a significant gluten intolerance, then their bodies may not process foods effectively. This can lead to vitamin deficiencies in some cases.
Is Your Child Off-Colour?
Some parents like to give their children a supplement if they are a little ill or off-colour. They think this will give them a boost to their system that gives them more energy or makes them feel better. While this may not do any harm and may sometimes do some good, vitamins can't cure underlying illnesses.
It's best not to self-medicate children, even with vitamins and minerals. Sometimes, an excess can do more harm than good. For example, if you decide your child is low in iron, then you may give them an iron supplement. However, if they take in too much iron, they could feel worse.
What Does Your Doctor Think?
If you think that your child would benefit from daily vitamin and mineral supplements or a short-term boost but aren't sure whether they should take supplements, talk to your general practitioner, or GP. If you're worried that your child is unwell and think that vitamins might help, your GP can check him or her over and help you decide what to do.
