Nutritional Supplements for Children: Vitamins and Minerals Are Important!

Nutritional supplements for children: Are vitamins and minerals important to supplement? Prevent deficiencies and learn what your child really needs for optimal growth¹, development¹, and immune system².

In this article, we as independent FitLine sales partners want to give you an overview of why products for kids in the nutritional supplement area can be beneficial and what you should consider.

Many children have difficulty meeting their nutritional needs, which can lead to deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, and zinc, for example. Regular intake of child-appropriate nutritional supplements, such as through drink powders, can strengthen the immune system² and promote growth¹.

How can you ensure that your children get the nutrients they need for healthy development? Learn everything important about nutritional supplements for children and how you can easily integrate them into daily life.

Does My Child Need More Vitamins and Minerals?

One of the best ways to check whether your child needs more vitamins and minerals is not only the children's own feelings but also regular doctor visits where blood tests can help identify potential deficits early and respond accordingly.

However, note that many nutrient deficiencies cannot be detected in depth through blood tests. What's visible in the blood doesn't necessarily provide information about the condition in body structures like bones or teeth, for example.

Therefore, pay special attention to how your child feels:

Observe how:

• Fit, energetic, and active they behave in daily life
• Concentrated and calm they can focus and learn
• Frequently they get infections or how resistant they are
• Their appearance is (pale face, etc.)…
• and the condition of hair and nails.

Based on these factors, you can recognize how well your child is supplied with important nutrients and whether action is needed.

Why Nutritional Supplements for Children Are Important

In a world where nutrition is often inferior, hectic, and unbalanced, it can be difficult to ensure our little ones receive all the nutrients they need for optimal development. Even when a balanced diet forms the foundation for well-being, it sometimes isn't enough to meet the special nutritional needs of growing children.

This is where nutritional supplements come into play, which can be used strategically to optimize nutrient intake and ensure it for children.

The Role of Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are essential building blocks for growth¹ – they not only support physical development but are also crucial for performance, such as B-vitamins⁴. Many vitamins also play a central role in the immune system², as well as minerals in bone and tooth formation⁵.

Adequate intake of these nutrients therefore not only promotes growth¹ but also contributes to making children more resistant². It's particularly important to pay attention to children's needs in different developmental phases, as nutritional requirements can differ depending on age and activity level.

Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Children

Many children have difficulty meeting their daily needs for important nutrients because they typically prefer fast food, sweets, and nutrient-poor foods (like pasta, pizza, fries, white bread rolls...) over vegetables, fruits, and whole grain products.

Particularly common deficiencies occur in iron, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue⁶, while vitamin D deficiency can affect bones⁷ and the immune system², among other things. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in brain development³, even during pregnancy.

It's therefore important to regularly reflect on whether your child's diet contains all necessary nutrients or whether supplementation would be beneficial.

Which Nutritional Supplements for Children?

One of the biggest challenges for parents is selecting the right products specifically tailored to children's needs.

It's important to pay attention to the quality and safety of nutritional supplements. This includes ensuring products are free from fillers, artificial colors, and flavoring agents.

Targeted supplements should offer a balanced combination of various vitamins and minerals. Sensible support can create balance between calcium for bones⁵ and omega-3 fatty acids for optimal brain development³.

Parents should also ensure that nutrient intake corresponds to their children's individual needs, especially during phases of intensive growth or with special dietary requirements or increased stress, such as competitive sports.

To choose the right dietary supplements for children, it is crucial to learn about the various options available. There are a variety of products on the market that are specifically designed for children, including multivitamin-rich gummies, liquid supplements, and chewable tablets.

You should make sure that the ingredients are clearly labeled and that the products have a seal of approval confirming their quality and safety (GMP production, test seal, Cologne-Listℜ).

Another important aspect is the flavor of dietary supplements. Products that taste good are more likely to be accepted by children and consumed regularly.

By having an open conversation about the importance of vitamins and minerals, parents can motivate their children to actively take care of their intake.

It is then advisable to gradually integrate new supplements into the diet and, if necessary, seek the advice of experts to ensure that they are ideally suited to the individual needs of the children.

Child-Friendly Formulations

The formulation of nutritional supplements for children is important to ensure acceptance. Children often have different preferences than adults, which is why products are offered in various forms.

Nutritional supplements are available in different forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, or liquid solutions.

Of course, it also depends on your child's age what you give them, as there are naturally considerable differences between a 2-year-old and a 12-year-old child.
For smaller children, liquid preparations or chewable methods might be more sensible, while older children might be able to handle tablets or capsules.

Powders are particularly popular with children as they're easy to consume and often have a pleasant taste. Powders can easily be mixed into drinks or yogurt and offer flexible intake options. These child-friendly formulations help make daily vitamin and mineral intake child's play rather than a burdensome obligation.

These include solutions such as omega-3 drops, which you can add to a drink, instead of omega-3 in the form of capsules or cooking oils, which children cannot take or do not like to eat. This, along with the patented technologies used in manufacturing and processing, makes our omega-3 dietary supplement, for example, unique and particularly well suited for children.

What You Shouldn't Give Your Children

You shouldn't give your child nutritional supplements designed for adults across the board. Children have different needs, and nutritional supplements for adults may contain substances your child doesn't need or aren't recommended for them.

For example, children don't need Q10 – this is an endogenous substance that should only be substituted in adulthood, as children don't have a deficiency in it.

Very small children cannot swallow capsules or tablets, which already rules out many adult products for this reason alone. Add to this children's picky taste sense, which can make it challenging to give little ones certain nutrients that we as parents consider beneficial.

Nutritional supplements specifically for children are usually approved and described as such. The supplements we offer as independent partners of PM-International / FitLine products for children are intended for use up to the age of 12. You'll find comprehensive supplementation with many vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds with us – the PowerCocktail Junior – which really tastes good to most children.

Important Ingredients in Optimal Combination

Some ingredients are particularly important for children. These include essential vitamins like vitamin A, B-vitamins, vitamin C and D, as well as minerals like zinc and iron.

High-quality nutritional supplements contain many important ingredients in optimal amounts, so parents can be sure their children receive good additional intake.

To optimize nutrient absorption, it's advisable to use products that offer a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals. A balanced ratio of these nutrients can help avoid deficiencies.

Giving isolated vitamins, such as vitamin D alone, is generally not recommended!

Quality and Individual Circumstances

Additionally, the question of bioavailability plays a crucial role: Not all nutrients are absorbed equally well. Therefore, products that exist in a form that can be optimally utilized by the body should be preferred when selecting. It's recommended to pay attention to certifications and quality standards to ensure products are free from harmful additives and actually contain the stated nutrient contents.

Another important point that parents should consider when choosing dietary supplements for their children is their child's age and specific needs. Nutritional requirements can vary greatly at different stages of life for growing children.

Newborns and infants have completely different requirements than preschoolers or schoolchildren. In addition, certain health conditions, such as allergies or chronic illnesses, can also influence nutritional needs. It is therefore advisable to consult regularly with an expert or nutritionist to obtain individual recommendations and not to blindly trust general trends or advertising. Also note that your child has increased needs if, for example, they are very active in sports.

Tips for Integrating Nutritional Supplements into Daily Life

Integrating nutritional supplements into daily life can be simple and uncomplicated. Often parents hesitate to introduce nutritional supplements because they think it's complicated or time-consuming, or they simply lack ideas when their child doesn't immediately cooperate.

Creating Routines

A fixed routine can help make taking nutritional supplements a habit. Children often feel more comfortable in a structured environment, and this applies to their nutrition too.

Consider what times of day offer the best opportunities to introduce nutritional supplements. For example, intake could occur directly after breakfast or before bedtime. By regularly maintaining these times, it becomes routine for your child and they won't have to think about it anymore.

It can also be helpful to offer a small reward if your child takes their vitamins without complaining. This will not only make taking them a habit, but also a positive experience.

With Fun and Creativity

With creative ideas, taking nutritional supplements can become a fun experience. Children are often more receptive to new things when they're introduced playfully.

You could organize a little "nutrient discovery journey" where each time your child takes their vitamins, a new "adventure" is told. This could be a story about a brave knight or curious unicorn searching for the best nutrients.

Involving children in choosing their dietary supplements can also help—for example, let them choose between different flavors or help them prepare powders for smoothies or yogurt. Such activities not only promote interest in nutrition, but also strengthen their sense of responsibility.

Another creative approach is to make taking supplements part of a shared ritual. Perhaps you could prepare a smoothie together every morning that contains the supplements.

Proper Communication

It's important to speak openly with your children about the importance of vitamins and minerals. Explain to them in simple terms why these nutrients are important and what positive effects they have on their body.

When children understand why they should take nutritional supplements, they're often more motivated and take them more willingly.

You can also use stories or videos that clearly illustrate the benefits of healthy eating and nutritional supplements. Visual aids can be particularly effective in sparking children's interest and encouraging them to take an active interest in their diet.

Role Model Function of Parents

Another aspect is the role model function of parents themselves. When children see their parents also paying attention to balanced nutrition and regular intake of nutritional supplements, this is perceived as motivating and they're more inclined to adopt these habits themselves.

Our customer experience is that children often start asking about adult products, wanting to try or take them too. This is logical because children want – at least at a certain age – to do what their parents do.

Be a role model and don't demand your child take nutritional supplements if you don't do it yourself.

Educate Yourself and Use Consultation Opportunities

There are numerous free consultation services that parents can use to learn about nutritional supplements and their use in their children's nutrition.

Many health organizations and non-profit institutions offer information events or online webinars specifically focused on children's nutrition.

Of course, you can also take advantage of our free consultation at any time. We can discuss your child's situation together and see what would make sense in your individual case.

Nutritional consultants have the knowledge and experience to create individual nutrition plans based on your child's specific needs. They can help identify potential deficiencies early and recommend suitable nutritional supplements.

Myths and Facts About Children's Nutritional Supplements

Many myths circulate about using nutritional supplements in children that are often misunderstood. These misunderstandings can make parents unsure whether they should give their children nutritional supplements or not.

Common Misunderstandings

Many falsely believe that nutritional supplements can be harmful. This assumption often stems from general skepticism toward supplements and their benefits.

In fact, many nutritional supplements are specifically formulated for children and contain nutrients that are safe in the right dosage.

Another widespread myth is that a balanced diet alone is sufficient to provide all necessary nutrients. In reality, however, it can be difficult to obtain all vitamins and minerals through daily nutrition, especially during growth spurts or with picky eaters.

How should your child absorb vitamins, minerals, or absolutely essential omega-3 fatty acids if they only eat pasta, chocolate, fries, and ketchup?

Here, nutritional supplements like vitamins and minerals can provide meaningful support.

Another misconception is that dietary supplements can affect children's appetites. Many parents worry that their children will eat less if they receive additional nutrients in the form of supplements.

In reality, well-chosen dietary supplements can help optimize nutritional needs without negatively affecting appetite. They are intended as a supplement and should not be considered a substitute for a balanced diet.

Supporting Your Child Holistically

Careful selection of suitable nutritional supplements is only the first step. For the positive effects of these products to come to full fruition, it's important to view them as part of a holistic approach.

You should ensure that supplements don't function as a replacement for balanced nutrition but meaningfully complement it. A colorful variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, and lean protein should continue to be at the center of daily meals.

Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly often forgotten, which are absolutely important for children.

Movement and Time in Nature

Movement has positive effects not only on physical health but also on cognitive development. Studies show that active children often perform better in school and show higher levels of concentration and creativity.

Additionally, contact with nature promotes general well-being and increases the ability to cope with stress.

Physical activity should be seen as a fixed component of daily life to support children's physical and mental health.

Good Sleep

You should also ensure creating a good sleep environment, as adequate sleep is fundamentally important for growth and regeneration as well as maintaining a stable immune system. Healthy sleep rituals can help children better regulate their energy and stabilize their mood.

Awareness of Healthy Eating

Another important factor is creating a positive eating environment at home. When families cook and eat together while focusing on healthy options, awareness of healthy foods is promoted in children.

You should ensure healthy snacks are available to meet nutrient needs between meals. Examples include nuts, yogurt, or cut vegetables with hummus. It's advisable to minimize consumption of heavily processed foods and sweets, as these often replace valuable nutrients and can negatively affect children's general well-being.

Bottom Line: Nutritional supplements for children can be a valuable addition to a balanced diet, especially when integrated thoughtfully and as part of a holistic approach to health. The key is choosing quality products appropriate for your child's age and needs, establishing positive routines, and maintaining open communication about nutrition and health.

¹Calcium is needed for normal growth and development of bone in children. ²Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system in children. ³DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function, starting at just 250 mg per day. ⁴Vitamin B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, C, Niacin, and Biotin contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism. ⁵Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth. ⁶Iron contributes to normal energy metabolism. ⁷Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.