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What is the Best Multivitamin for Picky Eaters?

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If you live with picky eaters, this post is for you! We all want healthy children who eat ALL the food groups, have a balanced diet, and meet all of the nutritional needs through whole foods. Yes, it’s true that the best way to get all of those essential nutrients is through a nutritious and healthy diet, but it’s certainly not the experience that every family has. Through my work with individual families with a focus on one-on-one work to help with picky eaters, I get asked this question a lot!

And if you’re looking for more articles on feeding kids, check out this FAQ page that is loaded with questions and tons of videos.

This article is for informational purposes only, seek out specific advice from your Doctor or Pediatrician.

Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Types of Multivitamins

  • Gummy vitamins – These are often a kid favorite as they taste like candy!
  • Chewable multivitamins – These are not as popular as the gummy vitamins, but are still around and available. Some kids don’t like them as the chewable tablets can sometimes be a bit chalky.
  • Liquid multivitamins – These are best for babies and young children and can be added various ways.

Do Kids Need Vitamins?

If your kids are eating a variety of foods, they are probably getting all of the essential vitamins and minerals that they need through food.

But some young children don’t get everything they need – maybe they are picky (or selective as I prefer to call it!), maybe they have other medical conditions, or maybe they don’t eat entire food groups – and a daily multivitamin is a great option to cover nutritional gaps.

Bottom line: have the discussion with your Doctor/Pediatrician and see if they recommend it.

American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations

“Many multivitamin/mineral (MVM) supplements for children contain micronutrients that children already get enough of in their diets, and some contain amounts that exceed upper tolerable intake levels (UL), an analysis of products showed.

National surveys have shown that young children largely get the micronutrients they need from their diets. Exceptions include vitamins D and E.

Surveys also show about one-third of children over 2 years are given MVMs. However, it is not known whether products on the market fill nutritional gaps or lead to excessive intake.”source

Picky Eater Vitamins

If your child’s diet has big gaps, isn’t eating entire food groups, or isn’t eating a variety of foods, children’s multivitamins are a great way to cover your nutrition bases.

In my work with families, I much prefer using a multivitamin as a backup plan as opposed to pressuring, hiding vegetables, or pushing green drinks.

And then focusing and working through adding in more foods and more variety into their diet. Be sure to follow the Division of Responsibility. Knowing your job and your child’s job makes mealtimes SO much more enjoyable, which actually makes a big difference on what children will eat or not eat.

Do you pay rent for a picky eater? Are you frustrated that your kids won’t eat anything besides chicken nuggets?⁠

It’s time to end the meal time battles and we can do it together. ⁠

You’ll walk away from our 45 minute call with (at least) one method to shift your mealtimes, starting tonight.⁠

This personalized solution is the roadmap you need to take you from mealtime battles over vegetables to an enjoyable and peaceful dinner for all.⁠

Once you have the knowledge, the confidence, and the answers to what is happening at YOUR table, you’ll get you to peaceful dinners and leave chaotic, stressful meals behind. ⁠

Here are the recommended daily values for nutrients for children ages 4-8, as taken from the Linus Pauling Institute (Oregon State University):

MicronutrientAI (Adequate Intake)
Biotin12 μg/day (AI)
Folate200 μg/daya
Niacin8 mg/dayb
Pantothenic Acid3 mg/day (AI)
Riboflavin600 μg/day
Thiamin600 μg/day
Vitamin A400 μg/day (1,333 IU/day)c
Vitamin B6600 μg/day
Vitamin B121.2 μg/day
Vitamin C25 mg/day
Vitamin D15 μg/day (600 IU/day)
Vitamin E7 mg/day (10.5 IU/day)d
Vitamin K55 μg/day (AI)
Calcium1,000 mg/day
Chromium15 μg/day (AI)
Copper440 μg/day
Fluoride1 mg/day (AI)
Iodine90 μg/day
Iron10 mg/day
Magnesium130 mg/day
Manganese1.5 mg/day (AI)
Molybdenum22 μg/day
Phosphorus500 mg/day
Potassium2,300 mg/day (AI)
Selenium30 μg/day
Sodium1,000 mg/day (AI)
Zinc5 mg/day
Cholinee250 mg/day (AI)
α-Linolenic Acide900 mg/day (AI)
Linoleic Acide10 g/day (AI)
KeyAI, adequate intake
aDietary Folate Equivalents
bNE, niacin equivalent: 1 mg NE = 60 mg tryptophan = 1 mg niacin
cRetinol Activity Equivalents
dα-Tocopherol
eConsidered an essential nutrient, although not strictly a micronutrient

This table is for children ages 4-8, visit the source for other ages as well as in-depth information on each of the micronutrients.

Be Careful with These Vitamins

Too much of a good thing is certainly true with vitamins for both children and adults. For children, vitamins A and iron are the two biggest vitamins that can be dangerous. Any of the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are also a potential problem as these vitamins are not excreted in urine like the water soluble vitamins that are consumed in excess.

Results showed many products exceeded the DVs for micronutrients that are abundant in food, including biotin, vitamin B-12, pantothenic acid and niacin.

In addition, the amount of micronutrients in many products exceeded the UL, including  folic acid (96 products), vitamin A (48) and zinc (36).” – source

Highest Rated Kids Vitamins on Amazon

Even the best multivitamin won’t be helpful if your kids won’t get them down! We head to amazon for the highest rated children’s multivitamins. Most are made without artificial colors and artificial flavors, but be sure to check each one if it’s important to you.

  • Lil Critters Gummy Multivitamin – 5 star rating from over 30,000 reviews. A general multivitamin with Vitamin C and D for immune support. Made with natural flavors and colors. ($0.06 per vitamin)
  • Flintstones Vitamins Gummies – 5 star rating from over than 7,000 reviews. A general multivitamin. Made with natural flavors and colors. ($0.07 per vitamin)
  • SmartyPants Organics – 4.5 star rating from almost 20,000 reviews. This organic general multivitamin also includes probiotics, omega-3s, vitamin D and vitamin B12. ($0.15 per vitamin)
  • Solimo (Amazon brand) – 5 star rating from over 3,000 reviews. A general multivitamin. ($0.06)

Best All-Around Vitamin for Picky Eaters

When parents ask me about vitamins and supplements, my answer is typically this:

If you are worried that they have gaps in their diet, add a multivitamin to cover your bases. The two other supplements that I will recommend is probiotics* and omega-3 fatty acids* (most Americans don’t get enough omega-3 fatty acids). *Brands linked are my recommendations.

There is one kids vitamin that offers everything in one and that’s the SmartyPants Organics Kids Formula with probiotics (Multi and Omega-3). (Not sponsored but what we use at our house and a good option!)

Picky Eater Vitamin FAQs

What are the best vitamins to boost kid’s immune systems?

Looking to cut down on the colds and sniffles? (We all are!) These aren’t a miracle and won’t totally prevent your kids from getting sick, but probiotics, Vitamin D, and elderberry can help boost you kids immune system.

What type of vitamins do kids who eat a vegan diet need?

There are 5 nutrients that vegans could be deficient in:

  • Vitamin B-12
  • Vitamin D
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  • Zinc
  • Iron

So if your family follows a plant-based diet, it’s a good idea to seek out dietary supplements (or multiple supplements) that will cover these bases.

Where is the best place to get vitamins?

You can buy children’s vitamins at SO many places. Most grocery stores as well as stores like Target and Wal-Mart will have a large selection of vitamins for picky eaters. Many natural food stores, Co-ops, and stores like Whole Foods will also have a large selection of vitamins. You can also find vitamins online (directly through companies) or through amazon.

All of my articles on feeding kids can be found here and if you want a FULL list of all of the videos I have with hacks, tips, scripts, and ideas for feeding kids, check out my instagram or tiktok page.

This post may contain affiliate links. They do not add any charge to you, but I will make a very small commission from them. I only link to products I use and recommend. Thank you for your support!

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Comments

  1. Jayna

    The best vitamin for kids is hiya. It’s what literally every mom I know gives their kids. So much better than sugar gummies. Definitely try!

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