Kids growing bodies require a wide range of vitamins and minerals to support their development. Even with a healthy and balanced diet, some children may not get enough essential nutrients. Supplements can help fill these gaps and promote overall well-being to help kids reach their full potential!
1. Nutritional Gaps. 🥦 Even with a decent diet, some kids miss out on key nutrients—especially if they:
- Are picky eaters
- Kids often go through phases where they only want certain foods — like mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, or plain pasta. That can lead to missing out on important nutrients from fruits, veggies, whole grains, or proteins.
- High Intake of Processed Foods
- Many kid-friendly foods are highly processed and low in nutrients. Think chips, sugary cereals, juice boxes, or fast food — these fill them up but don’t offer much nutritionally.
- Have allergies or food intolerance’s or follow restrictive diets (vegan, dairy-free, etc.)
- Whether it’s allergies (like dairy, nuts, or gluten), or lifestyle choices (like vegetarianism), restricted diets can make it trickier to get all the necessary nutrients unless they’re planned carefully.
- Have chronic health conditions that affect nutrient absorption
- Chronic conditions often mean higher nutritional needs, but at the same time, they usually make it harder to meet those needs.
2. Growth & Development. 🧠 Kids grow fast—and that means they need:
- Vitamin D for bones & immunity
- Vitamin D for growth because it plays a huge role in building strong bones and supporting kids’ immune systems. During growth spurts, especially in early childhood and puberty, bones are rapidly developing and expanding. Adequate vitamin D ensures bones grow in length and density, supporting overall height and stature.
- Vitamin D helps the immune system fight off infections — and staying healthy means kids are more active and able to grow properly.
- Calcium for strong bones & teeth
- We all know calcium is the foundation for strong bones and teeth and kids bodies are growing fast. Calcium is the main mineral that makes bones hard and strong. Without enough calcium, bones can become weak and more prone to fractures.
- Teeth are mostly made of calcium-rich enamel. Adequate calcium helps form strong, cavity-resistant teeth during early childhood (less trips to the dentist!)
💡 Did you know that about 90% of peak bone mass is built by the end of adolescence.
- Iron for energy and brain development
- Iron is critical for brain development, especially in the first 5 years of life. It supports memory, attention, and learning.
- Kids low in iron often feel tired, cranky, pale, or even dizzy — because their cells aren’t getting the oxygen they need. 🥱 (Iron is a key part of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.)
- B Vitamins for energy & brain development
- B vitamins (especially B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B7) help the body convert food into energy. These are especially important during growth spurts and puberty. 6, B9 (folate), and B12 are crucial for healthy brain and nerve development. These vitamins support memory, focus, mood, and emotional regulation, which is huge for learning and behavior.
3. Young Athletes Need More. ⚽If your kid plays sports regularly or trains intensely, they may need extra nutritional support because their bodies are under extra physical stress, and they burn through nutrients faster than average kids. A supplement that many parents may not think of is:
- Magnesium helps with muscle function and recovery
- magnesium plays a key role in muscle function, energy production, and recovery — all of which are critical when kids are active and training regularly (we know Canadians have a deep-rooted love for sports)
- Magnesium helps muscles contract and relax properly. Low levels can lead to muscle cramps—OUCH, twitches, or spasms, especially after intense exercise or sweating.
- Magnesium helps reduce muscle soreness and supports recovery by fighting inflammation and oxidative stress after workouts.
💡 Bonus tip: Hydration is key! Electrolyte supplements may help during long training sessions, especially in the heat.
Should All Kids Take Supplements? ⚖️
Not always. Most kids with a healthy diet don’t need them. But athletes, kids with dietary restrictions, or those with medical needs might benefit—with guidance from your doctor, pediatrician or a dietitian.
Disclaimer
The content in this post is for information purposes only and is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment of conditions that your health care practitioner should assess. The products discussed may not be suitable for you. Always read and follow the label.
For additional children’s supplement recommendations, you are always welcome to visit us in-store at 317 Brock Street S Whitby, ON L1N 4K3.
References:
Should I give multivitamins to my preschooler? Angela C. Mattke, M.D. <https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/multivitamins/faq-20058310>
Does My Child Need A Supplement? Esther Ellis, MS, RDN, LDN<https://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/supplements/does-my-child-need-a-supplement>
Use of dietary supplements by children and adolescents <https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10960193/>
Magnesium:Fact Sheet for Consumers < https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-Consumer/>