Kids are notoriously picky eaters. It can feel like the world is ending when you put a vegetable on their plate. While we love them with all our hearts, it’s enough to make you mad.
After all, our job is to ensure we are providing them with a nourishing diet, but how do we know if they are getting the right stuff if they toss all the healthy foods off their plate and demand chicken nuggets instead?
Enter gummy vitamins. The parent’s secret weapon to ensuring their kids are getting adequate nutrients. But are they all they’ve cracked up to be? Let’s take a deeper look at the benefits and risks of vitamin gummies for kids.
What Are Vitamin Gummies?
If you’ve never heard of them before, vitamin gummies are exactly what you might expect. They are a multivitamin supplement in a delicious gummy form for those partial to sweet treats who don’t like taking pills, A.K.A kids, but many adults enjoy them too!
Gummy vitamins are a great option for many kids because they ensure they are getting their vitamins consistently to fill in any nutrient gaps during an important growth period. They also taste good so you don’t have to fight your little one to take them.
Gummy vitamins are typically made by combining vitamins and minerals with flavoring, colors, and a gum base, typically made from gelatin.
Nutritional Benefits
While gummy vitamins are convenient, some have concerns that they may not be the best option for our growing tots. So let’s take a look at the nutritional benefits of gummy vitamins.
As with any supplement, the nutrition content of gummy vitamins will vary based on brand. Many contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals, to act as a multivitamin supplement while others can be found for single nutrients, such as vitamin D, or nutrient groups, such as B complex vitamins.
Gummy vitamins can greatly benefit our growing littles by providing coverage to any potential nutrient gaps that may arise based on food availability, preference, absorption challenges, and more.
Certain nutrients are especially important during a child’s growth and development that aren’t always easy to get through diet, such as iron. Requirements for this essential mineral are high in children as it is critically important for the production of red blood cells, cognitive development, and more [1].
It’s estimated that over 7% of kids between ages 1-5 years old experience iron deficiency. Having an option for kids that tastes good and provides these essential nutrients can be impactful in preventing any potential nutrient deficiencies and ensuring proper growth and development. [2].
Potential Risks and Considerations
While gummy vitamins can be great for many populations, including kids, there are some concerns about taking them. Because gummy vitamins are made to chew versus swallow, they have to be made to taste good.
This often means that it can include added sugars in varying amounts. While some may only have small amounts that aren’t a concern, others can have as much as 15 grams of added sugar per serving.
Excessive intake of added sugars is associated with many health risks, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cavities, and heart disease. It’s recommended that added sugars be limited in the diet, particularly in young children. Kids between the ages of 2-18 should be consuming less than 25 grams of added sugars per day [3, 4].
Because gummy vitamins taste like candy, there’s also a risk that kids may eat them in large amounts outside of the recommended serving. This can increase the risk of vitamin and mineral toxicity, particularly with fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. Kid’s vitamin and mineral needs are lower than those who are adults and are more susceptible to toxicity [5, 6].
Other ingredients commonly found in gummy vitamins may also be harmful or uncomfortable if consumed in large amounts, such as sugar alcohols and dyes [7, 8].
Expert Recommendations
When taken as directed and kept out of reach of young children, gummy vitamins can be especially beneficial for picky eaters and those who have difficulty swallowing pills.
Not all kids will need to take vitamins if their dietary intake is adequate. If you aren’t sure if you should consider a gummy vitamin supplement for your young one, be sure to discuss it with your child’s pediatrician.
Always choose your vitamins from trusted brands that offer third-party testing for quality and purity. Be sure to look at the supplement label and choose products that contain low amounts of added sugars per serving.
Lastly, make sure to use gummy vitamins responsibly. They are made to help provide adequate nutrients but should always be taken as directed. Gummy vitamins may look like a tasty treat but taking too many can be dangerous.
Bottom Line
Gummy vitamins, like many other supplements, have their benefits and drawbacks. For kids, gummy vitamins can be an easy way to rest assured that your picky eater is meeting their nutrient needs during an important growth period.
Gummy vitamins are also great for those who struggle with swallowing pills. As long as they are being used as directed and stored responsibly, gummy vitamins are a great option for a large population of children. Always discuss with your child’s pediatrician before adding in a vitamin supplement.