by As your child grows, he will need more than just milk. Just like adults, they need to eat healthily, with colorful vegetables or fruits on their plate. After all, children need the nutrients from a balanced diet. To be healthy, they must consume vitamins and minerals. Soft, colorful gummy vitamins for kids are very popular as supplements. But does your child really need to eat gummy vitamins?
Gummy vitamins are called vitamins, but they don’t come in boring pills or tablets. These are chewable vitamins available in a range of flavors, colors and shapes. Komal Malik, chief dietician at Faridabad Asian Hospital, says these supplements taste and feel like gummy candies and are among the most widely used vitamins. Children who don’t like taking pills may find these vitamins interesting.
These vitamins are generally composed of:
• Gelatin
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Sugar
• Other dyes
Lemon, raspberry, cherry and orange are just some of the flavors your child will enjoy.
What are the pros and cons of gummy vitamins?
Gummy vitamins have several benefits, including their irresistible taste and the nutrients they provide.
1. Attractive taste
The appealing taste of gummy vitamins is one of their main benefits. Taking vitamins daily will no longer be a chore because they come in many fruity flavors.
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2. Nutritional Benefits
They tend to contain nutrients like vitamin D and calcium, making them beneficial for kids who are picky eaters or have increased nutrient needs, the expert tells Health Shots.
3. Easy to take
They are easy to include in your child’s daily routine. All you have to do is simply buy a few gummies and let your child chew them. They’re even easy to swallow, so there’s no need to drink water with the vitamins.
4. Delicious alternative to pills
Gummy vitamins are a wonderful alternative for a child who hates taking pills. They make taking vitamins enjoyable and exciting, increasing your child’s chances of maintaining their daily schedule.
Read also : Nutritional supplements for children: are they necessary?
On the other hand, they may contain added sugars or sugar alcohols which can be harmful. Excessive consumption of added sugar is linked to tooth decay, obesity and heart disease, Malik says. As for sugar alcohols, when consumed in large quantities, they can lead to nausea, diarrhea, bloating and other digestive problems.
Additionally, a 2015 study published in the journal Health Promotion Perspectives found that children may overeat gummy vitamins because of their candy flavor. This in turn can put your child at risk of overconsuming certain nutrients, especially if they also consume foods fortified with vitamins and minerals. This could lead to vitamin or mineral toxicity in children.
Gummy vitamins offer some benefits, but there is a healthier way to provide all the necessary vitamins for children.
This includes eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. This will help them naturally get the vitamins and minerals needed for their body to grow, says the expert. You may also consider incorporating fortified foods like cereal, milk, or yogurt that contain added vitamins. For healthy snacks, nuts, seeds and dried fruits are nutrient-rich options. Fruits like oranges, which are rich in vitamin C, and bananas, which are a good source of potassium, can also be eaten as healthy snacks.
When it comes to consuming vitamin supplements, always consult a doctor first.
