Children's One-A-Day Vitamins

RE: Children's One-A-Day Vitamins Post By Lynda (Guest Post) (09/23/2006) In my humble opinion: *Any vitamin that's hard-coated will not be absorbed. It should be chewable. *Foods today MUST be vitamin enhanced often because the soil is NOT replenished with whatall God intended the food to need in order to provide us with proper nutrition. However, for example, cereals are often out of balance and OVER filled with sugars and preservatives that destroy any vitamin supplements they add and market to us. *My rule of thumb is: If the child is 4-12 yr. one-two multiple vitamins WITH minerals(called "Complete" on labels) is best taken if a lot of junk food/snacks are consumed/given throughout a day. *If the child is older OR youngerand lighter weight, (less than 80 lbs.) one tablet every OTHER day is sufficient. If the child is large for his/her age, one a day will help their body to better deal with any stored fat that needs to be used/eliminated, but watch for excessive hunger. *Should a child have a poor appetite, one a day should stimulate their appetite. Once they are eating normally again, give only every OTHER day. *Should a child have an addictive like craving for sugar, reduce the sugar intake by giving more salty foods like crackers and spaghetti with sauce, etc. *If a child seems addicted to chocolate, break this with Dark Swiss Chocolate in much less amounts until balanced and craving is minimal, remembering there is caffiene in all chocolate causing hyperactivity and hormonal over-stimulation. *A good rule of thumb is to buy sugar-free Complete Vitamins, such as Bugs Bunny Brand Complete Vitamins/minerals, and start the child off each morning with EITHER a Complete vit/min OR a med. bowl of vitamin ENRICHED cereal with less sugar, such as Cheerios, Wheaties, or Shredded Wheat. (SUGAR DESTROYS VITAMINS, EVEN IF ADDED TO THE FOOD THE SUGAR IS IN!!) * Firmly limit the fruit juices or frinks, especially canned carbonation drinks BECAUSE many common ones contain WAY TOO MUCH CAFFEINE FOR A CHILD, or a small adult. Caffeine alters behavior like illegal drugs. Be observant and alert to this. * Know that Multi-vits/mins do NOT substitute for decent food, IF it can be found and the child ACCEPTS IT. However, they help the child to have a healthier immune system and calmer nervous system, combatting many bad habits. Store brand Children's Chewables are definitely inferior and lacking in enough ways to avoid them. For our family, I found the Bugs Bunny Sugarfree Vits/Complete just canNOT be beaten. Do NOT give ANY vitamins/minerals at night, because they tend to wake a child up, and so does caffeine if the child has not been taking a lot of caffeine in it's lifetime. Occasionally there are coupons for Bugs Bunny, and even if the ingredients seem to be the same as some storebrand generics, the "other ingredients" are not only different but detrimental to the child, often with DiCalcium Phosphate and fillers like talc and things no human should consume. God bless you for being a good steward to His Creation. : ) RE: Children's One-A-Day Vitamins Post By (Guest Post) (09/15/2006) Kids who eat a healthy , well-balanced diet don't really need vitamin supplements. If in doubt, ask your pediatrician.