by Nicky Pilkington
As long as your child is eating a well-balanced meal from the Food Guide Pyramid, they probably do not need any supplement minerals or vitamins. However, if you have a picky eater on your hands it will not hurt to give them a multi-vitamin that includes the items they need. In addition, children that do not drink at least 17 ounces of Vitamin D fortified milk will need Vitamin D supplements or calcium.
Iron is a very important mineral that prevents anemia. Sources for iron include meats, legumes, fish, fortified foods such as cereals and breads. When girls begin to have their period they will more than likely need an iron supplement. Some examples of vitamins that include iron are Flintstones Children's Chewable Multivitamin plus Iron, Poly-Vi-Sol Vitamin Drops with Iron, Pokemon Children's Multiple Vitamin with Iron, Fer-In-Sol Iron Supplement Drops and Feosol Tablets and Caplets.
Calcium is important for healthy bones and teeth. Children that do not drink milk or eat dairy products such as ice cream, cheese, and yogurt may need this mineral supplement. Children that have an allergy to milk or milk products will more than likely need a supplement with calcium. However, remember even calcium supplements will not give your child enough calcium for their growing bodies; they will also need calcium fortified foods such as calcium fortified orange juice. Some good vitamins or supplements with calcium include Calcium Gummy Bears, Herbasaurs Calcium for Kids, Flintstones Children's Chewable Multivitamin plus Calcium, and Scooby-Doo! plus Calcium.
Fluoride is very important for the growth of your childs teeth. If you want your child to have healthy teeth then they should be drinking fluoridated water. If they drink plenty of tap water in most towns and cities across the US, they are more than likely receiving enough fluoride. If you are not sure if your water contains fluoride, you can give them bottled water, which includes fluoride. There are a few fluoride supplements that are very good for giving your child what they may be lacking; however, too much fluoride can stain their teeth. If you need a fluoride supplement then you should purchase Poly-Vi-Flor.
If you would rather use multivitamins, you can rest assured that most infant multivitamins include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D. They also have other vitamins and minerals such as iron, niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin E. Some of the most popular infant multivitamins include Tri-Vi-Sol Drops, Poly-Vi-Sol Drops, and Gerber Vitamin Drops.
Multivitamins for older children are usually in chewable form and contain the same vitamins and minerals only regulated for the growing child. Some of the most recommended include Centrum Kids Chewable Vitamins, Flintstones Children's Chewable Multivitamin, Pokemon Children's Vitamins, Bugs Bunny Children's Vitamins and Scooby-Doo! Complete Multivitamin.
