Mamas & Papas-
My DS (2.5 y.o) doesn't eat any fruit or veg, save for bananas (which we are staying away from as they are constipating. We are continuing to offer them with hopes that he will eventually eat some. He isn't wasting away, but we are concerned about his nutritional needs. Any tips for toddler friendly vitamins?
BTW- he doesn't like candy, or chocolate so gummies might not be the right route.
Thanks in advance,
F. B.
Smoothies, you can do berry smoothies n add spinach or kale in
Just go to a Whole Foods store.
They have lots of options for kids.
ie: gummie vitamins, liquid form, chewables etc.
They are very helpful.
My kids liked the liquid form. ie: "Animal Parade" is a good brand for kids' vitamins that I like.
And, ask your Pediatrician.
Ask Your pediatrician. Ours doesn't recommended daily vitamins anymore--especially if the child eats a decent diet--studies show they can do more harm than good.
We have a friend with a similar child. They started making smoothies for her. She LOVES them! They put all kinds of fruits and veggies in them.
Not exactly the answer to your question...but helps them get what they need....
We have been using a chewable vitamin for our son for a long time. The brand is Rainbow Light and the formula is Kids One Chewable Multivitamin/Mineral; it has veggies and probiotics in it as well. This is a fruit punch flavor, (not hypersweetened, either, I don't mind the taste and I am not big on sweets myself). I like it for our son because it also contains some beneficial herbs as well. It's a bit spendy-- a bottle is about $21 or so at Whole Foods and has 3 months worth of vitamins.
I like the idea of trying to do smoothies too. Will he try frozen peas? They crunch, they're novel and the flavor is mild. Good luck!
My boys took the chewable Nature's Way kids vitamins from the healthfood store. My local store actually offers samples. You can take one of each flavor home and see which he prefers.
My 2.5 year old daughter takes one Flintstones Toddler vitamin every day. They are smaller than the regular children's ones.
She eats a lot of fruit but hardly any veggies. I give her the squeezable pouches of baby food that contain a combo of fruits and veggies. She likes the ones with orange veggies but not the green. At least it's a start. She also eats a gummy snack called Veggie Shreds that she loves, though your son might not like them. Each piece is about two inches long and very thin, so it's different than a regular fruit snack.
My boys always liked the Flintstones chewables, but not gummies.
Iron
Iron is essential for a toddler's immune activity, and the production of hemoglobin to supply oxygen to the cells. It is common for toddlers to be lacking iron in their diet if they do not eat a lot of iron-rich foods like meat. Toddlers should receive about 15mg of iron daily. An iron-deficient toddler may become anemic, with symptoms such as listlessness, paleness and irritability. Large amounts of milk may also hinder iron absorption, and a doctor may have to prescribe an iron supplement.
Calcium
The recommended intake of calcium for toddlers is 800mg per day, or 4 toddler servings. Calcium is essential for the brain and nervous system, muscle action, blood clotting, strong bones and teeth, and the absorption of vitamin B12. Most toddlers do get the appropriate amount of calcium as long as they are ingesting dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), fortified orange juice, or dark green vegetables.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, along with vitamin D, meaning it is stored in the fat tissues of the body until needed. It is important for toddlers' eyesight, the development of their www.cusabio.com/hot/Kit.html Kit night vision, healthy skin and immunity. Vitamin A is found in orange or yellow fruits and vegetables, dark green vegetables, and dairy.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin so it needs to be regularly replaced. Toddlers should ingest 2 or more servings of vitamin C daily to help keep body tissues healthy growing, and to help wounds heal. Vitamin C also helps a toddler's body resist infection, and assists in the absorption of iron. Vitamin C intake is low in toddlers who don't ingest enough fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin D
Proper intake of Vitamin D allows for the healthy growth of bones and teeth, the absorption or metabolism of other vitamins and minerals such as calcium, and helps prevent rickets, a disease causing softening of the bones. Vitamin D is generated when the skin absorbs sunlight, so a toddler who is not regularly exposed to the sun (or covered up outside), and who drinks less than 32 oz. of milk a day may require a vitamin D supplement.
