In today’s world of fast food, parents are rightly concerned about their children getting adequate nutrition. One problem is that children can be fussy eaters. Having access to sugary junk food does not help that problem either. Some children will only eat certain foods. A big problem in food control is that the child will refuse food at the table, and then ask for an unhealthy snack later, or maybe sneak a cookie from an unsuspecting grandparent or aunt.
To cover the bases, it is a good idea to supplement with vitamins for children. Even if the diet is adequate, due to modern farming methods where foods are grown on depleted soil, it is a good idea to supplement to make up for the difference. It is no longer the day of small farms, where vegetable refuse and manure was added to the soil to enrich it. Today, the fields are stripped of vitamins and minerals.
There are companies that create and package vitamins in a way that will appeal to children. This can involve fun shapes and color. It may also involve child-oriented shakes enriched with vitamins. While many are using gummy bear type vitamins, it is important to realize that may be a bad idea. The gummy part is not good for the teeth. They stick to the teeth. Also, children may treat gummy vitamins like candy and take too many. That is not good. Too much of a good thing can be bad when it comes to vitamins. If a child does take too many vitamins, contact your health care professional or even the local poison control facility.
Sometimes a pediatrician prescribes vitamins for a child. If so, purchase the best available. There are differences in quality. Vitamins are held in debate among doctors. Some feel they are necessary. Some feel that they are not necessary if people are eating properly. The fact is, who really follows the Food Pyramid? Do you as an adult get five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables every day? Does your child? Supplementation is a good idea, but you can contact the pediatrician first.
One thing is certain. Vitamins are not meant as a replacement for good food. Nor are they supposed to be a quick fix for an ongoing junk food diet. Teach your child about nutrition. Do things to make nutritious foods taste good. Make good eating fun. You can have a child help prepare the meal in some small way. You can find an alternative for foods a child does not like. For example, if a child does not like milk, see if she will eat raw almonds, which contain calcium. Let your child help pick out some fruits and vegetables when you go shopping. Make vegetable pizzas for lunch or dinner. By using some of these tips you will find you can help your child have a better diet and get the nutrition he or she needs.
