When children are growing vitamins are essential to help ensure that they stay healthy and develop normally. A balanced diet provides all the vitamins they need, However, sometimes it may be beneficial to give children, particularly those under 5 years old, vitamin supplements. This is especially useful if your child is a fussy-eater, because by giving them a vitamin preparation especially for children you can be reassured that they are getting a recommended vitamin intake.Children’s vitamins come in lots of different formats including syrups, chewable tablets and drops, and are available from the pharmacy.
Key Vitamins for Children
A Needed for growth, eyes and skin. Helps protect against infection, you can find this in butter,cheese, eggs, oily fish, green and yellow vegetables.
B1 Releases energy from food, health of skin and mouth, can be found in brown rice, green and yellow vegetables, yeast extract, beans, lentils, bread and cereals.
B2 Releases energy from food, assists in function of nervous system, can be found in milk, eggs, cheese, yeast extract, beans, peas, lentils and green leafy vegetables.
B3 Releases energy from food, assists in function of nervous system, can be found in meat, oily fish, poultry, bread, potatoes, cheese, milk, cereals, lentils and other vegetables.
B5 Needed for energy. Assists in immune and hormone systems, can be found in vegetables, nuts, cereals, egg yolk, meat, beans, peas and yeast extract.
B6 Promotes healthy skin and nerves. Helps the promotion of antibodies, can be found in wholemeal bread, liver, fish, eggs, meat, cereals, fruit, vegetables, and bananas.
B12 Essential for healthy nervous system, red blood cell production and healthy growth, can be found in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese and milk.
Folic Acid Red blood cell production and growth, can be found in green leafy vegetables, broccoli, green cabbage, fruit pulses, nuts and east extract.
C Essential for healthy tissue and wound healing. Helps the body fight infections and absorb iron, can be found in fresh fruit (especially citrus fruits such as oranges), green leafy vegetables and milk.
D Essential for strong, healthy bones and teeth, can be found in full-cream milk, oily fish, butter, eggs.