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Forms and Instructions
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Parents are often concerned about their children’s eating habits, and rightly so. Many kids are picky eaters and it can be nearly impossible to get the recommended 5-a-day servings of fruits and vegetables in their diet. Some children don’t drink any milk and aren’t getting enough calcium. Fiber can also be a challenge. The following supplements can help fill-in those nutritional gaps in your child’s diet:
Calcium: Growing bones need calcium! Teenagers need the most. Kids ages 1-3 need 500 mg (2 glasses of milk), 4-8 years 800 mg (3 glasses of milk) and 9-18 1300 mg (4 glasses of milk).
DHA-EPA Omega 3: Also known as fish oils. It is recommended that kids get 100 mg a day and adults 1000 mg day. This has some benefits for asthma, allergies, eczema, brain development, heart health, and the immune system. This is also important for pregnant women for brain and eye development of the fetus and for breastfeeding mothers. All supplements containing fish oil should be tested for mercury contamination.
Multivitamin: If you have a picky eater who does not like all food groups you should consider a multivitamin. Look for one that is free of artificial color, flavors and preservatives. Gummy vitamins, while perhaps more appealing, can cause cavities as they stick in the teeth. Children under 2 should have a liquid due to choking risks.
Probiotics: Over 70% of our immune system is in our gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes antibiotics can disrupt the normal balance of good bacteria. Taking probiotics with antibiotics can prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea. They also have shown some benefit for colic, irritable bowel syndrome and boosting immunity. The dose needed is 10 billion organisms per serving to be effective. You need to eat 8 ounces of yogurt to get the needed amount.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C aids in tissue and wound repair and acts as an antioxidant. Regular doses of vitamin C may shorten the duration of colds. It may be helpful in boosting the immune system, wound healing and treating allergy related conditions such as asthma, allergies and eczema and it helps with iron absorption. Dosages ranging from 250 mg to 500 mg are safe in children and adults and teens can take 1000 mg.
Other: Fiber is important for maintaining gastrointestinal health and regularity. Kids need 5 grams plus their age in years of fiber per day up to 20 grams per day. The best sources are beans and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Because the FDA does not regulate supplements, it is important to make sure the vitamins you buy are manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. This means they are made from high-quality ingredients and are checked for purity, accuracy, and contaminants. If you have any questions or concerns regarding vitamins for your picky eater, consult your pediatrician or family practitioner.
Dr. Heather Isaacson is a board certified pediatrician at Longmont Clinic. She can be reached at 720-494-3133.
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