Should you give Multivitamin Gummy Bears to your Kids
In the year 2020, one of the temptation I had was to serve multivitamin Gummy to my child. The reason being online schooling increased screen time which made me so anxious, that I thought of introducing Vitamin A or necessary supplements which does not affect his eyesight in particular. Also staying indoor meant less absorption of Vitamin D in the body.
All these thoughts kept crossing my mind and I came across a post circulated in the mom’s community wherein moms gave multivitamin gummy bears to their kids. Health is an important factor for any mom, as there is lot of fear floating around nutrients all thanks to the Google, Instagram and Adv Commercials going around. Without much of hesitation, I too jumped the bandwagon by ordering a multivitamin gummy bear box for my child.
The multivitamin gummy bear box did arrive in my house and it kept me in constant thinking whether I have taken the right step or not or am I just offering him as a healthy substitute to meet his demands for sweets. With all the confusion I thought of doing a little bit of research on why multivitamins ( specially the gummy bears one) ?? Basis whatever I have researched, I would like to share some facts on the same
- Multivitamin Gummy Bears are not regulated by the FDA
- The gummy bears may not contain the same amount of nutrients as listed in the label. Research has said that more then 80% of gummy vitamins tested did not match to the nutrients listed in the label
- The appealing taste of gummy vitamins is because of the high presence of sugar. Even gummy bears which state they have no added sugar or are sugar free may contain sugar alcohols which are listed under total carbohydrates on the label ( very few of them will really be sugar free in the right sense )
- High usage of food colors to make it attractive to kids
- The sticky nature of the gummies can increase the risk of cavities in kids
So the next question which actually popped up in my mind was
Do we need to give multivitamin supplements to our kids ?
As per my understanding, the answer is actually “NO”. The first thing that all parents should focus is on creating a strong base. What I mean by base means is asking the question ” Is my child eating enough ? Is my child eating a variety of food from all the food groups ?” If the answer is yes, it is unlikely your kid will need an external supplement.
If you as a parent is offering a variety of food and your child seems not to be consuming, you need to take external help from your pediatrician ( some cases there are specialized pediatric dietitian too) and can get his/her evaluation and also identify ways to include food your kids does not like may be in form of new recipes, more exposure, lovely presentation etc.
Few of my blog post can also help you, to get your child eat most of the food types available .
Basis your discussion with the pediatrician, if your child is low in a certain vitamin or mineral, it’s best to only supplement those key nutrients as prescribed by your doctor and not add more external supplements. This is to ensure no added toxicity is added because at the end of the day supplements are not natural.
One of the key pointers I feel is, Multivitamin Gummy Bears look like candies. Medication and Nutrition should be taken seriously and kid should not feel they can take deficiency for fun by covering it up with gummies. On the other hand, doctors too don’t prescribe gummies as a form of medicine or a supplement to some deficiency. (at least I know off and basis my experience)
The Bottom Line
- As mentioned earlier, multivitamin gummy bears are not regulated by the FDA
- Children rarely require additional supplements or may need in negligible additional amounts which can be solved through right food intake
- Most of the Multivitamin gummies do not solve the purpose.
- They do not have the claimed nutrition value
- Additionally loaded with sugar and artificial colours
- Consult your pediatrician and get your child diagnosed for any deficiency
- If there is a deficiency strictly follow your doctors prescription
- Don’t look for substitutes because your child may refuse the liquid or medicine
- Ask the doctor, if your child refuses to consume the prescribed medicine
- Do not consult your friend whose baby went through a similar deficiency
- Focus on providing food which are nutrition dense
- Ensure you serve you child food which covers the requirement of all the food groups
- Be their Role Model – Cook family meals and eat along with them
I hope this blog post helped you to get some insights on multivitamin supplements, usage and how to go about it. Share this post with other mommies so that they can research on the subject and take well informed decisions.
this blog is a part of Blog Away Blog-a-thon hosted by Seema and Hansa
I didn’t know gummybears were this good. However supplements are good for children. Informative article.
Very informative post. Thanks for sharing this information. It’ll help a lot of parents who are in dilemma to whether their kids need a supplement or not.
Supplements are good for kids but only if the pediatrician recommends it and the right ones. Very helpful blog Sonam!
Now a day, gummies bear are very trend but this post is right on time. Gummies bear are not really good as you mentioned the reasons. I am not going to give to my kids.
as i said an informed wise decision
Even I was tempted to give these to my kids. But I felt giving them proper diet is more better. Also, i feel it is better if the Paed recommends these multivitamins.
absolutely ..well thought
I was also tempted to start these for my kids. But I felt supplementing them in their diet is much better. As how long can we continue to give these.
Thanks for sharing this informative article. I really don’t have any idea about gummy bears for kids. I will definitely going to recommend this to my friends.
My cupboard is overflowing with gummies for kids of different brands. This is the latest fad of this pandemic. And I really don’t approve of the sugar content. My kids love them though.
This is really informative post and I agree there is no need to add multivitamin gummy in our kid’s routine if they are eating well. also, taking expert advice is much needed to make right decision.
Once in a while Edo get gummies for fun. I don’t really believe in any vitamin tablet for kids or adults. Only iron and calcium are something SOME people need but otherwise, a good diet is what we should concentrate on.
That’s some honest opinion. Otherwise on Insta, I have seen influencers promoting gummies to kids.
thats there.. i am an influencer too.. but i share what i give to my child..
Much needed. I appreciate your honesty in pointing out the real facts so that the mothers would know what is the best for their kids.
glad you liked the post
I too personally believe if the diet of kids is good, they dont need gummies. we need to make an informed decision.
glad you believe the same
Even I am of the opinion that multivitamin supplements are not good for our kids. A healthy diet cannot replace multivitamin supplements for children.
Even I am of the opinion that multivitamin supplements are not good for our kids. A healthy diet can replace multivitamin supplements for children.
glad to know..thanks
This is a really informative post and very important for mothers to read. Gummy bears have really picked up in last few months I feel and I had been also asking myself if I should get my kids to have some of them.
i believe now you are informed ..and will take the right decision
Wow this is new information. I didn’t know that Multivitamin Gummy Bears are not regulated by the FDA. That’s good to know.
glad to know you liked the post
What an informative post – given the amount of promotion that gummiesget, every one seems to be having it and without realising it too! good to know that multi vits too need to be double checked.
glad to know you could associate with the post
This is a good post to all mothers. Like you, even I have a pack to Gummies at home. But my doctor said no. She said, these Gummies have high am out of calcium which kids don’t need. And they are the level of adults.
Good post.
ohh that is interesting fact i learned from you.. high in calcium.. thank you for sharing this point with me
Good information thank you for sharing as I have two packets of Gummies definitely will not give as safety is important.
i am glad this post could help you in some way
I agree with you sonam… there is nothing that food cant complete… I also prefer giving a ckmple and wholesome meals and snacks than resorting to supplements as a source of nutrition and vitamins.
thats great hansa…glad you agree with me
Completely agree with the point that if kids are eating variety of food that has nutrients then Gummies are not required. Infact these can create digestion issues if not consulted to Doctor before consumption.
ya that can also be difficult.. i should have mentioned digestion issues in the post
Thanks for sharing such a brilliant and informative post as they are many parents who still in confusion whether to give or not these gummies to kids or not
glad to know you liked the post
I never believed in giving gummy supplements to my kid unless the pediatrician recommended. As you said they have sigar in it in any form. This is a very informative post.
glad you liked it
An informative post Sonam. Although I have various gummies at home, I personally don’t prefer to give it to my son because my pediatric has asked me not to. And then, I don’t advocate the use of colors in children’s food, and gummies are usually colorful. Nevertheless, an useful post.
that is great amritha
Absolutely agreed with you that if kids are eating variety of food that has nutrients than Gummies. Glad to know that Multivitamin Gummy Bears are not regulated by the FDA.
glad you liked the post
Bang on dear. Even I refused to promote one multi vitamin gummy for one brand. As I also feel the same. Infact bloggers and influencers should be really responsible of promoting such stuff.
absolutely.. supplement knowledge is very less