We all need our daily dose of vitamins and minerals in order to function and stay healthy. That goes without saying for our children who are in their growing years, and much less during this time of uncertainty.
As much as we try to help them cultivate good habits and supply them with a well-balanced diet, sometimes the question still lingers – is it enough? Or do they need some vitamins or supplements to make up for what they’re lacking in (especially for the picky eaters)?
We ask a nutrition expert for help to determine if your child needs a little nutritional help, and how to give these supplements to them safely. The nutrient needs of each child may differ according to their age, sex, size, growth and activity level, but here are some key factors you should pay attention to when buying vitamins and supplements for your kids:
“If your little one enjoys a healthy, well-balanced diet, then he probably doesn’t need supplements,” says Lynette Goh, senior dietitian at National Healthcare Group Polyclinics.
“Supplements are only meant to ‘fill in the gaps’ if he isn’t eating well.” If Junior has a medical condition that requires him to take specific vitamins, then his paediatrician should recommend them.
If you decide to give supplements for kids, Lynette says to give your little one a general multivitamin or mineral supplement, but make sure that it does not exceed 100 per cent of his recommended daily allowance.
The main nutrients he needs for healthy development are vitamins A, B, C and D, iron, calcium and folic acid.
Visit this website for the exact amount he needs. Otherwise, you may wish to just give him supplements for nutrients that cannot be obtained from his diet.
Is the junior on meds? Some drugs do not interact well with certain vitamins and minerals and may, in fact, cause adverse reactions. So if your child is on medication, ask the doctor if it’s all right to give him supplements for kids, Lynette advises.
Just because a new supplement claims to boost your kid’s brain health or immunity, it doesn’t mean you have to buy it, says Lynette.
And ditch that “more is better” mentality – megavitamins, large doses of vitamins, or extra vitamins on top of a daily multivitamin, can be toxic. Even if Junior is sick, you shouldn’t give him extra doses in hopes that he will recover faster.
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Ginkgo, St John’s Wort and other herbal supplements are not advisable for children. “There are no guarantees of strength, purity or safety of the products,” says Lynette.
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Text: Young Parents, Additional reporting: Cherrie Lim