Dietary supplements: vitamins for young children

The most important things in brief

• Nothing beats the vitamins found in fresh fruit and vegetables.
• But not all small children do their parents the favor of eating enough apples, carrots, etc.
• Often it's just a phase in which toddlers don't want to eat the healthy fruit - in most cases this will pass.
• Here we explain whether your child should take additional vitamins via supplements during this time.

Parents are concerned about the health and well-being of their toddler. So far quite normal. Eating behavior is also viewed critically at some point. Does my child eat a variety of foods? Does it like fresh fruit and lots of vegetables? Are we feeding the little darling properly and are we getting enough vitamins? It goes without saying that it is important to ask yourself this question regularly.

Just switch to other fruit

But panic is inappropriate. If you find that your desire for a vitamin-rich diet is somewhat limited, do nothing for the time being. Or little more than continuing to give the child fresh fruit. Because in most cases, even small children just want to test whether there is something else instead of the apple. It may already help to replace the apple with a sweet peach or the banana with strawberries.

Of course, that doesn't always happen overnight and sometimes it just turns out to be more difficult. But then there is no point in scolding the child or taking away the fun of eating in any other way. There is no immediate danger of a vitamin deficiency if vegetables or fruit don't really work out for a few days. There is also a whole series of experiments if solid fruit doesn't work - mix a tasty smoothie, make a "face" out of carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes or grate fruit that you put in muesli. All tricks are allowed.

Involve the toddler in the preparation

Involving the child in preparing the meal is often a good practice. Let your little darling choose from various healthy ingredients when you go shopping, that could already help. It gets really exciting for children when they start preparing it at home. The little ones are often so proud of what they have created that the healthy meal is eaten without hesitation. Growing your own fruit or vegetables in the garden or on the balcony also teaches children about the joy of healthy eating.

If the listlessness lasts longer and you have the feeling that your protégé is really missing vitamins after a while, then consult the pediatrician first. Such cases - and usually the solutions for them - are well known there.

Vitamins as dietary supplements for small children

Fortunately, today there are also many vitamin supplements specially produced for children that can be administered. You should ask your doctor first if that's okay. But the arguments used by opponents of these products are no longer valid. There is talk of overdose and bad health consequences - and it is not taken into account that the preparations are precisely tailored to the needs of small children. Especially since you will discontinue these products anyway once your child has regained the joy of fresh food.