By Zelda Ackerman RD(SA)
Many moms feel that their little ones need a supplement, but with tons of multi-vitamins available on the South African market, the choice becomes more difficult!
Vitamins and minerals are important for children’s overall health, growth and development and optimal brain function. They are also needed for a healthy immune system and may even help to prevent chronic disease. Healthy food remains the best way to give your children all the nutrients that they need and supplements should only be used to supplement those nutrients that may be lacking, not to replace healthy food.
Who needs supplements?
Children with suboptimal growth
Children with a poor appetite
Children who regularly become ill
Picky eaters
Children with multiple food allergies
Vegetarian or vegan children
Overweight children
How to choose the best multivitamin supplement
We took the following into consideration when choosing the top ten supplements for babies and children:
Critical micronutrients for babies and children
The specific amounts of each vitamin and mineral
Additives
Allergens
Value for money
Directions for use
After reviewing nearly 50 different multivitamin and -mineral supplements for babies and children in South Africa, according to our criteria, these are the best ones to choose.
Top 4 supplements for children 6 months – 5 years
- Mi-Vitamin MixMe Vitamin Mineral Powder
- Emvit Sprinkles
- Vi-Daylin plus iron
- Vitabiotics WellKid Baby & Infant
Top 6 supplements for children 4-8 years
- Mi-Vitamin Vitamin Mineral Supplement for children 3-12 years
- Vitabiotics Well Kid Smart Chewable
- Centrum Kids
- TurboKidz Smart Multi Chews
- Bettaway Betta Kidz Chewable Multivitamin & Minerals
- Creche Guard Gummies Multi-Vit one a day
Warning
Supplements that are suitable for a large age group and are given in larger doses to older children easily provide more than the tolerable upper limit for some vitamins and minerals. This is dangerous and such products should be avoided.
Important
Check the expiry date before you buy. Store supplements in a cool dry place, out of reach of children.
For more detail information, please send an email to info@family1stnutrition.com.