Smart Choices for School Kids: 5 Essential Supplements for Optimal Wellness
Do you ever find yourself wondering if your little one is lagging behind their peers in the playground or the classroom? And does it bother you when they come home with their lunchbox still filled with half-eaten goodies? Believe it or not, the kind of food your kids munch on not only impacts their academic performance but also influences how active and energetic they are throughout the day.
All parents are troubled by one question: How to fulfill their kids' nutritional needs when they are picky about what to eat? But fret not! We encourage you to explore and convince them to savor well-balanced meals instead of surrendering to the temptations of junk food.
Along with that, dietary supplements are a good option for kids who don’t have ideal daily nutrition. Keep on reading, and we'll reveal all the hidden gems for nourishing your children's well-being.
Why do kids need supplements?
There’s a weird stigma attached to multivitamins for kids. A lot of parents think that supplements are for adults; kids don’t need them. Another concern is about them getting addicted to it.
Dietary supplements aren’t medicines, and they are not addictive.
Consider this example: your kid had a vegetable sandwich in the morning, stuffed potato parathas for lunch, instant noodles for snacks, and curry rice for dinner. Now take a step back and look at the nutrients they had. Fiber & carbs in breakfast, only carbs in lunch, carbs again for snacks, and ending with simple carbs (rice) & a bit of protein Your kid is lacking most of the macronutrients (protein, complex carbs, fiber, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in their daily diet. This is where you need to understand the role of supplements.
By giving them supplements, you are just filling the nutritional gap left by their daily meals. Continuing with the same example, do you see any probiotics (good gut bacteria) or raw fruits (vitamins & minerals) in the diet of that child? By giving them supplements, you're merely giving their bodies what their food can't.
Note: Please do not think of supplements as a replacement for food. They need their four meals and calories to function properly.
5 supplements all school-going kids need
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Beat the lazy mornings
A day in the life of a parent starts with them waking their kid up. Kids are so lazy to wake up that you can’t help but scold them first thing in the morning. But have you ever wondered if that lack of energy and lethargy could be because of nutrient deficiencies? Here are some vitamin and mineral deficiencies that are most likely to cause fatigue and a lack of energy.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps build muscle and bone strength, thus allowing your kids to be active throughout the day. Vitamin D is already present in the human body, but it needs sunlight for activation. If you can, please ensure that your child gets enough sunlight. If you are wondering about food sources of vitamin D, they are very limited (Salmon, Red meat, Liver, and egg yolks). This is why supplements are the best way to fulfill vitamin D requirements. When choosing vitamin D supplements, look for one that provides vitamin D3, since it is easily absorbed by the body.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 has an important role in the production of red blood cells, which are required to produce hemoglobin, which carries oxygen for energy production. Besides, B12 also plays a role in regulating neural function and is essential for ideal performance in school. Kids who have been following a vegetarian diet are more likely to be B12 deficient since B12 is predominantly present in non-vegetarian food. So if your kid isn’t really keen on having fish and meat and is constantly fatigued, try giving them natural B12 supplements.
Iron
Iron deficiency anemia is very common in young children. Kids who lack iron can’t produce enough RBCs and hemoglobin. Due to this, their body isn’t able to produce enough energy, thus causing fatigue and a lack of stamina.
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Back-to-school immunity pack
For immunity, nothing works better than a combination of vitamin C and Zinc. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that reduces damage caused by oxidative stress. Zinc is a mineral that can affect the process of phagocytosis (the process of ingesting & eliminating pathogens), the functioning of natural killer cells, and the cells mediating innate immunity.
A study reports that both of these nutrients control the host's immune response to infectious pathogens, which lowers the risk, severity, and duration of infectious disorders. It also reports that these nutrients are effective in preventing and treating pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea.
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Learn better, score better
Omega-3, a remarkable fatty acid abundant in seafood, comes in three distinct varieties: DHA, ALA, and EPA. Among them, DHA takes the lead, constituting about 40% of all the fatty acids in the human brain. Because of this, DHA is also included in infant formula to support your baby's cognitive growth and better vision. DHA is the most important nutrient for your child’s growth and development since it is required for the formation & regular functioning of the nervous system.
Not only for infants, but you need omega-3 for teens as well. If your child is unable to comprehend what he is taught in school, despite trying their best, then you could try giving them Omega-3 supplements for better learning & recall capabilities.
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Multivitamins for picky eaters
It is nearly impossible to give your children a nutrient-rich diet. Have you ever heard a child suggest that they would prefer salad over pizza? Poor nutrition can eventually result in nutritional deficiencies, which can result in a range of problems, including poor energy levels, frequent illness, difficulty understanding and remembering what is being taught, excessive weight gain or loss, hormone imbalance, and the list goes on. The time is now to stock up on vitamins for children. A multimineral or multivitamin for kids contains all the essential micronutrients they need, thus preventing any nutrient deficiency that leads to health issues.
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Amp up your gut army
Lastly, but most importantly, you need to make sure that their gut is in top shape. The human gut contains millions of gut bacteria that help digest food, improve immunity, and kill bad bacteria. There are different types of bacteria in this gut army, and this diversity should be well maintained.
Gut bacteria are sensitive to stress. So if your kid is too stressed about their exams and assignments, chances are that they also have gut issues. To power up this gut army, you need to feed them foods rich in probiotics, like yogurt. Probiotics are the good gut bacteria that your body needs. By having them via food or children's probiotic supplements, you encourage the growth and development of gut bacteria. Supplements with probiotics for children come in exciting flavors that kids love, so you don’t need to worry about them refusing to have nutritional supplements.
Wrapping Up
As kids attend school, they are continuously growing, and their bodies are developing, including their immunity, cognitive functions, and various organs. It's crucial to provide them with the essential nutrients to support their well-being and academic performance. Fortunately, there are multivitamins for kids, available in various formats, colors, and flavors that your little ones will surely adore. If your kid is not keen on swallowing tablets, consider Oral Thin Strips. These supplements use advanced molecular science to ensure your kid is getting all the essential nutrients in a fun and delicious way. Consider giving them a try and witnessing how they can contribute to your child's success in both academics and life.
References:
https://wellbeingnutrition.com/products/disney-frozen-melts-vitamin-b12-d3-kids-oral-strips-elsa
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