Many young kids are picky eaters, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t getting the nutrients they need to grow.
I recently received this e-mail from a concerned mom:
Dear Dr. Manny,
My 5-year-old son is a picky eater, and I’m worried he isn’t getting enough vitamins. Should he be taking a multivitamin?
Thanks
Many common ‘kid-friendly’ foods, like breakfast cereal, milk and orange juice, are fortified with important nutrients, such as vitamin D and calcium.
And since children don’t need large amounts of vitamins and minerals, your child may already be getting a sufficient amount.
But it’s still a good idea to talk to your child’s pediatrician if you have concerns.
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A multivitamin might be appropriate for your child if he or she:
- Has an eating disorder
- Has been diagnosed with failure to thrive
- Doesn’t eat regular or well-balanced meals
- Doesn’t get enough vitamin D through diet or sun exposure
- Has certain chronic diseases or food allergies
- Has a restrictive diet, such as vegan or vegetarian
Keep in mind that certain vitamins and minerals can interact with medications that your child may be taking, and that ‘mega-doses’ of these supplements can be toxic.
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Dr. Manny Alvarez serves as Fox News Channel’s Senior Managing Editor for Health News. Prior to this position, Alvarez was a FNC medical contributor. Click here more information on Dr. Manny’s work with Hackensack University Medical Center. Visit AskDrManny.com for more.
