Life used to be so much simpler. We received all of our nutrients from the foods we ate and that was all we needed. Unfortunately, things have become more complicated and our foods have become more deficient in all the wonderful properties they should contain. So what does this mean for our kids?

Supplements can give our children an added benefit, but only if chosen wisely. As with anything else, manufacturers want to tantalize the taste buds of our children so that they become hooked on their products.

When choosing supplements, keep in mind a few things:

1. Look for plant based supplements – this means that they derived the nutrients from foods as opposed to synthetically manufactured ingredients.

2. Minimize the sweeteners – For most multi-vitamins they need a sweetener, make sure the label only contains one and that it comes from pure cane sugar or honey – nothing else.

3. Understand all of the ingredients – If you can not pronounce it and have no idea what it is…Don’t eat it, let alone pass it on to your kids. For a food based supplement, the ingredients should be recognizable fruits and vegetables and that is all.

As with anything you give your children, you may want to speak with your health care professional to make sure that there are no adverse interactions with any medications your child may be taking. For the most part your children could benefit from a Multi-Vitamin, a DHA or Fish Oil Supplement, and a Probiotic, but only if they don’t seem to be receiving adequate amounts from their foods.

Additionally, when the weather brings a chill in the air, some extra Vitamin C will give your kids that extra boost they need. Encourage more fruits and vegetables to get this in and boost up the immune system. The darker the richer the color of the fruits and vegetables, the higher the concentration of nutrients you will receive.

Your first line of defense should always come from your foods, focus on organics and minimize the processed stuff.  Remember, when foods are manufactured they actually rob nutrients from our bodies in order for those foods to break down and digest. Food is fuel, so fuel your kids up for success with the right food plan and you can’t go wrong.

In Peace, Love, and Health,

Adita