Should Children Be Supplemented with Vitamin?

As children grow, it is important that they get enough vitamins and minerals to meet their health needs.

Most children get enough nutrients through a balanced diet, but in some cases, children may need to be supplemented with vitamins or minerals.

In the article “vitamins for kids" Explains what you need to know about and whether your child needs it.

Nutritional Needs of Children

Nutritional needs for children depend on age, gender, size, growth and activity level.

According to health experts, 2-8 calories are required each day for children ages 1.000-1.400. 9-13 year olds need 1.400-2.600 calories per day, depending on certain factors such as activity level. 

In addition to getting enough calories, a child must meet the following Dietary Reference Entries (DRIs) through their diet: 

These are not the only things children need. Children need certain amounts of each vitamin and mineral to grow healthy, these amounts vary with age.

Older children and teens need different amounts of nutrients than younger children to support optimal health.

Do Children's Vitamin Needs Different from Adults?

Children need the same nutrients as adults but in smaller amounts.

As the children grow up, calcium ve Vitamin D It is very important that they get enough nutrients to help build strong bones.

In addition, iron, zinc, iodine, kolin and vitamins A, B6 (folate), B12 and D are essential for early brain development.

Therefore, although children need less vitamins and minerals than adults, they should get enough of these nutrients for healthy growth and development.

Do Children Need Vitamin Supplements?

In general, children who eat a healthy and balanced diet do not need vitamin supplements. However, babies have different nutritional needs than children and may need some supplements such as vitamin D for breastfed babies.

Health organizations do not recommend and say supplements are not needed as long as children eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and protein to reach adequate nutrition.

These foods contain all the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development in children.

In general, children who eat a balanced diet that includes all food groups do not need vitamin or mineral supplements. However, there are some exceptions to this situation. 

Some children may need supplements

Although children eat a healthy diet, some special situations may require reinforcement. Here are the children who will require using vitamin and mineral supplements and children who are faced with their deficiency: 

- Those who have a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Those with a condition that affects or increases the absorption of nutrients, such as celiac disease, cancer, cystic fibrosis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Those who have had surgery that affects the intestines or stomach.

- Highly picky eaters. 

Children on a vegetarian diet; may experience deficiencies in calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins B12 and D. A vegan diet can be dangerous, especially for children.

Children's intake of certain nutrients can have serious consequences such as abnormal growth and developmental delays.

Children with celiac or inflammatory bowel disease, especially iron, zinc It may have difficulty absorbing many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D.

On the other hand, children with cystic fibrosis have difficulty absorbing fat and therefore cannot absorb enough fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.

In addition, children with cancer and other diseases that cause increased nutritional needs may require some supplements to prevent disease-related malnutrition.

Which Vitamin Should be Used for Children?

If your child has a restricted diet, cannot absorb enough nutrients, or is eating selectively, vitamin supplements may be required. Always talk to a doctor before giving supplements to your child. 

Considerations When Using Vitamins for Children

Vitamin or mineral supplements can be toxic to children if taken in large quantities. This is especially true for the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K stored in the body. One case study reported vitamin D poisoning in a child who took large amounts of supplements.

Vitamins should be kept out of the reach of small children to prevent accidental over-consumption.

Vitamins, especially gum or candy, are often similar to candy, which can be dangerous for children.

Consuming large amounts of vitamins or minerals can cause serious side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, cramps, nausea and skin problems.

In severe cases, it can cause organ damage, coma, and even death. Therefore, it is important to use supplements only as directed and to keep all vitamins and minerals out of the reach of children.

Also, choose high-quality vitamins and minerals that are specially formulated for children, free of additives and fillers. Consult a doctor about choosing the best supplements for kids.

How Do You Ensure Your Child Gets Enough Nutrition?

To ensure that children get enough nutrients; They need a balanced diet in which they eat all kinds of nutritious foods.

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats and dairy products will provide your child with enough vitamins and minerals.

In addition, you can make different shapes of fruits and vegetables or make their food fun with different presentations to make them eat with appetite.

However, you should limit added sugar and highly processed foods and ensure that they eat the fruit itself instead of sugary drinks such as fruit juice.

If you think your child is not eating enough and needs advice, go to the pediatrician to find out. The doctor will give you the necessary tests and advise in case of deficiency. 

Consuming nutritious foods

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and protein foods all offer rich vitamins and minerals essential to a child's diet, along with other essential nutrients like fiber and antioxidants.

Drinking water

Hydration is an important component of child nutrition. Adequate hydration of the body is important to many aspects of health, and drinking enough water regulates everything from cell function to body temperature. Water requirements can vary, but it's usually necessary to drink 7-14 glasses of water a day, depending on age range and gender.

Minimizing added sugar intake

It's also important to minimize the intake of added sugars found in foods such as sweets, candies, and desserts, as well as soda, juice, sports drinks, and iced tea.

Not only are these foods typically high in calories and lacking in important nutrients, they can also put children at risk for tooth decay, weight gain, heart problems and type 2 diabetes.

Eating the fruit itself instead of juice, drinking water instead of sugary drinks, and checking food labels carefully for hidden sugar sources can help reduce a child's sugar intake.

avoiding trans fats

Trans fatsand should be avoided at all costs. This unhealthy type of fat, often found in processed and fried foods, can contribute to serious conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.

Limiting consumption of processed foods and consuming healthy fats from sources such as olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds can help minimize a child's trans fat intake.

As a result;

Children who have a healthy and balanced diet do not need supplements. However, some special situations require reinforcement to make up for the deficiency.

Vitamins for children For supplements, you should consult a doctor and follow his advice.