7 Essential Vitamins and Minerals For Kids
7 Essential Vitamins and Minerals For Kids
Children go through various bodily changes, from the time they are toddlers to their early teens. As they mature, they need a significant intake of Vitamins and Minerals to ensure optimal growth and development.
As a child grows older their likes, tastes, and bodies change. Ideally, a well-balanced diet is the best source to provide them with essential vitamins and minerals. A well-balanced diet includes:
- Milk and dairy products
- Ample of fruits, green vegetables, and cereals
- Proteins like meat, fish, and eggs
- Sufficient amount of water
WHO NEEDS VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS
Mostly, parents are aware that a well-balanced diet contains all essential vitamins and minerals for their kids to stay healthy. But the truth is while maintaining a work-life balance, home-cooked meals are not always possible.
To overcome malnutrition, your pediatrician may recommend daily nutrition supplements or multivitamin gummies for kids who:
- Lack a proper and regular, well-balanced diet.
- Eat a lot of processed and fast foods that include higher salt and sugar content.
- Rely more on a vegan and vegetarian diet that lacks dairy or meat products.
- Frequently consume aerated and carbonated drinks that cause weakening of their bones.
- Suffer from chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or some digestive problems.
7-BEST VITAMINS AND MINERALS FOR YOUR KIDS’ OVERALL GROWTH
The nutritional needs for toddlers, children, and teens are different from adults. Despite your best efforts, your child may not always get the sufficient vitamins or minerals they need.
Here is a list of the 7-best vitamins and minerals that your kid needs the most.
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Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for the healthy skin and normal development of your child. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, which plays a significant role in improving eyesight and strengthening the immune system. It also aids in reducing the chances of acne while your child hits puberty.
A Vitamin A-rich diet includes sweet potato, kale, turnip greens, carrots, spinach, watermelon, papaya, fatty fish, and eggs.
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Vitamin B
Vitamin B plays a significant role in producing red blood cells and supporting the metabolic activities of your child. Vitamin B has a direct impact on their energy levels and brain functioning. Also, it helps to prevent infections and promotes cell growth during illnesses.
Vitamin B encourages muscle formation by connecting healthy tissues in the body. Vitamin B-rich food includes citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes, chicken, fish, milk, cheese, soybeans, and nuts.
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Vitamin D
Vitamin D is vital for the development of bones. Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphate in the body. Thus, it helps to keep your child's bones, teeth, and muscle tissues strong and healthy. Also, it aids in protecting your child against chronic diseases later in life.
Deficiencies of Vitamin D may lead to bone deformities that cause bone-related chronic diseases, like Osteomalacia. The foods rich in Vitamin D include oily fish, red meat, egg yolks, and fortified cereals. Also, sunlight is the primary source of Vitamin D.
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Vitamin E
Vitamin E strengthens our natural defense system against illnesses and infections. Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant, which creates a shield to protect cells against damage causing free radicals. These free radicals are volatile molecules that may cause cancer, heart diseases, or cataracts.
Also, Vitamin E helps to treat topical infections and scars. Vitamin E-rich sources include sunflower seeds, almonds, broccoli, sweet potato, pine nuts, avocado, kiwi, vegetable oils, spinach, hazelnuts, and fortified cereals.
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Calcium
Calcium is one of the essential minerals that helps build, form, and maintain bones as a child grows. Our bones and teeth are formed of 99% calcium. Also, it plays a vital role in maintaining healthy communication between the brain and other primary organs of our body.
A Calcium-rich diet includes yogurt, milk, cheese, tofu, green leafy vegetables, dry fruits, cornmeal, and fortified breakfast cereals.
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Iron
Iron helps children grow and nurture healthily. Our body uses iron to create hemoglobin, a protein present in red blood cells, which carries oxygen to different body parts. Also, iron creates myoglobin, another form of protein, which transfers oxygen to muscle tissues.
Deficiency in Iron causes behavioral disturbances, especially in children. The Iron-rich sources include red meat, seafood, beans, dark leafy vegetables, peas, dry fruits, bread, pasta, pumpkin seeds, apple, pomegranate, and black currants.
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Magnesium
Magnesium plays a pivotal role in protecting your child's body, both internally and externally. About 60% of magnesium is found in your bones. Thus, it helps increase bone density. At the same time, magnesium decreases the risk of bone fractures, especially during their early phase.
Magnesium helps in producing energy and proteins in our bodies. It aids in regulating neurotransmitters, which send signals between the brain and nervous systems. The Magnesium-rich foods include black-eyed peas, tempeh, soy nuts, tofu, almonds, cashew, flaxseeds, salmon, spinach, and okra.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A well-balanced diet and physical activities are everything your child needs to grow stronger, sharper, and healthier. However, it is not easy to maintain a regular check on your child's diet all the time. This is where Multivitamin Gummies for Kids can help keep their nutrition and immune system strong every day.
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