A.B. asks from Matthews, NC on November 07, 2008
Does My Child Need Vitamins?
Hello all! Quick question...my two year old daughter is a very picky eater. I continue to push forward, trying all kinds of tricks, but in my daily emails of different baby/child website newsletters. I got an article about vitamins. I'm on the fence about this, I plan to ask the Pediatrician if I should try this as a way to make sure she gets enough of her daily nutrients. I am currently keeping a daily log of what and how much she eats, so I can take a look at each week to see if she got all her nutrients and all her food groups. My question to you all is:
1. Do you give your child vitamins?
2. What kind of vitamins do you give?
3. What are your opinions about this?
The reason why I'm on the fence is because she's not always a picky eater, she eats a variety of things, but lately, she's going through another one of her phases where all she eats is noodles, PB&J, yogurt, fruit, and the occasional cookie and some sweets. She drinks her milk and an occasional watered down cup of juice. But vegetables! Ha! That's another story, but we keep trying.
Thanks!
A. B
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More Answers
B.S. answers from Asheville on November 08, 2008
ah toddlerhood and the picky eater syndrome! my nieces know it all too well...lol.
supplementing these days is a good idea. not only because your child is not eating too many vegetables, etc. the soil is very nutrient depleted, so even when people get a decent amount of veggies in their system, it might not have the nutrient rich vitamins that our bodies need!
my sister, who is a chiropractor, gives her kids several supplements that i will for sure give to my daughter when she becomes a toddler. she gives them (she started when they were two yrs. old) greens tablets-as a way to supplement the lack of green-nutrient rich veggies they might get (even though, they do eat vegetables-she still gives supplements). whatever the case, make sure the supplements are as organic and natural as possible-because companies put a lot of fillers, sugars, etc. in the vitamins that are unnecessary and since your babe's digestive system is still young-it can be sensitive for your child.
here's two greens chewables-she gets the frog one: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.j...
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.j...
in addition here's an article on the importance of fish oils-http://ezinearticles.com/?Chewable-Fish-Oil-Tablets-For-C...
hope that helps!! good luck!
B. sabaj LAc, LMBT (#8444)
www.healingpointnc.com
2 moms found this helpful
J.M. answers from Memphis on November 09, 2008
I started my son on a daily vitamin at around 2 yrs. We started with the My First Flintstones and then eventually went to the regular Flintstones vitamins. Unless your daughter in iron-deficient do not get anything with iron. Kids can easily overdose on meds with iron. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. My 1 yr old is actually already on a liquid vitamin because he is low on iron.
S.P. answers from Nashville on November 11, 2008
Hi A.,
Overall, her diet doesn't sound too bad. But you're right, she does need vegetables. Two years old might be too young to take the vitamins my 7 and 9 year old take, but I will tell you that they absolutely love them! They are by Rhino and they are called Beanie Vites. They look and taste like jellybeans! I have also given them the gummie vitamins before and they like them, too. We give them the Rhino Echinacea Pops, which have vitamin C in them, too. Your 2 year old might like these, since they are in lollipop form and are big enough that she shouldn't choke on them.
Have you tried making smoothies? You could make a delicious fruity one, then throw some Spirulina powder in there, or blend in some carrots or even broccoli. She wouldn't notice a difference in the taste. The color might throw her off if it was too green, but you could tell her that it's a green apple or lime smoothie, or simply a green candy one. I'm sure there are other veggies you could use, as well. You could also throw some ground up vitamins in the smoothie or use liquid vitamins.
If she looks and acts healthy she is probably getting enough nutrients. Just keep introducing vegetables as she grows, and try things like dipping them in peanut butter or low-fat ranch dressing as she gets older.
Blessings,
S.
S.U. answers from Raleigh on November 09, 2008
My kids eat pretty good but I err on the side of caution and do give them all vitamins. If you ask a pediatrician, the standard response is no, they don't need vitamins if they are eating a balanced diet and that should be your goal. Kids do not eat a balanced diet usually, none that I know anyway! As for what kind, I'm kind of skeptical about most vitamins' effectiveness (kids and adults) so I go to to Vitamin Shoppe and usually get the gummy vits that are supposedly natural (the staff can help with this). The best form of vitamins I've heard is something called Juice Plus, but it's pretty expensive to keep up. With the gummies, a child usually takes up to 3/day. Oh and as for vitamins, even if they are getting a balanced diet, and you give them vitamins, the body will naturally excrete what it doesn't need, so there's no risk of overdoing anything anyway. Again, better safe than sorry. HTH.
M.W. answers from Raleigh on November 10, 2008
My oldest daughter who is 6 is a very picky eater and she always has been. I tried a few of the vitamins at the store and I know that was better than nothing. About 5 months ago I found a liquid vitamin called Vemma. It tastes like juice and she has her "juice" every morning with her cereal. I mix it with a little OJ and she loves it. Just an idea.
B.M. answers from Charlotte on November 08, 2008
Hi A.,
I back what Briana said wholeheartedly!
Good luck to you!
R.H. answers from Jacksonville on November 17, 2008
HI A.,
My answer to you is "YES" absolutely. Everyone needs Vitamins including you. The reason is because our foods don't have the nutrition they used to. The soil is depleted and doesn't give us what we need.
However, you don't want to just give her any vitamin. You want to make sure it is the very best. Both of my children take Melaleuca Vitamins. I have been a customer of theirs for over 2 years, and I take their Vitamins too. They have tested them against the other brands out there and they have the very best ones - it's proven. And, you can get them wholesale like me if you want.
Just let me tell you about them as you can only shop with them if a customer sets up your account. I know you won't be dissapointed!!
Good Luck!!
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