Got a picky eater at home? Battling to get your child to eat the right food?
Even though it is best to get your children to eat healthy food, you can give nutrition supplements for kids to fill the gap essential for healthy growth.
These nutrition supplements prove lifesavers when your children do not eat vegetables, fruits, dairy products, grains, legumes or nuts and seeds. Each of these food groups plays a vital role in supporting and promoting good physical and mental health in kids. However, with fussy eaters, it can be a challenge.
So, let us see how your kids can benefit from taking supplements.
Benefits of Nutrition Supplements for Kids Who Do Not Eat Healthy Food
Some of the vital nutrients essential for your kid’s growth are – proteins, carbohydrates, calcium, iron and vitamins.
Before buying nutrition supplements for kids, check with your paediatrician. The doctor may suggest a few tests to determine nutrients deficient in your child. Based on the results, you can get multivitamin, calcium, iron, vitamin D or other supplements.
You can find different types of supplements that may appeal even the fussiest eaters among the kids, such as chewable gummy vitamins.
- Multivitamins supplements
These nutrition supplements are fortified with different vitamins and minerals that are needed to support the overall growth and development of kids. Multivitamin gummies are made with vitamins – A, B5, B12, C, D, E and folic acid. Also, minerals, such as zinc, magnesium, sodium and iodine.
Give vitamin D supplements to your kids if they do not go outside in the sun. Or if their exposure to direct sunlight is limited. Vitamin D is essential in absorbing calcium and supporting bone health. As per ICMR guidelines, your kids need 400IU a day to fill the vitamin gap.
- Calcium + Vitamin D supplements
If you got a kid who hates milk or is allergic to dairy products, give calcium + vitamin D gummies. Calcium supports the building and strengthening of the bones. Vitamin D aids in calcium absorption and supports bone health.
Healthy Food Habits for Kids
Though you can give nutritional supplements to fill the dietary gap in your children, it is essential to instil healthy eating habits in your kids. Here are a few tips:
- Make sure that your kids do not skip any meal and snack of the day.
- Make it a habit to include at least a few of the food groups in each meal. You can eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, legumes and nuts.
- Slowly, but surely replace fast food with fresh food, fried snacks with fruits/nuts and maida or refined flour with wholewheat or multigrain food.
- Replace soda with milkshakes or fruit juices.
- Use healthy oils (olive oil or canola oil) in place of coconut or palm oil.
- Drink plenty of water for hydration.
Conclusion
Kids are fussy, but as parents, it is our responsibility to imbibe the culture of eating healthy food at home and choosing nutritious food over processed/packaged food. Do not give in to the unhealthy demands of your kids. Like other good things, inculcating healthy food habits in kids will also take a lot of time and patience. Kids will eventually understand the importance of eating good food and good health. And for any gaps, you can always rely on nutritional supplements for kids from certified makers, such as NutriBears.
