‘Picky eater’ dad and mom have ‘one much less factor to emphasize about’ with 48p-a-day discover
Paediatrician Phil Boucher, MD, has explained why children may find themselves lacking one particular vitamin this autumn
The changing weather makes it harder to spend quality times outside(Image: Getty Images)
With the summer holidays now a distant memory, the evenings are drawing in and cooler autumn temperatures are setting in. As children spend less time outdoors, parents may want to pay closer attention to one vitamin in particular — and we’ve found a supplement that works out at just 48p a day.
A varied, balanced diet should always be the starting point when it comes to children’s nutrition, but even healthy eating habits don’t always provide every vitamin and mineral they need in the right amounts. Picky eating, food preferences and simply not eating enough foods rich in certain nutrients can all make it harder for youngsters to get everything they need from their diet alone.
Paediatrician Phil Boucher, MD, says vitamin D is one nutrient that deserves particular attention as the colder months approach. He told The Mirror: “Vitamin D is the one I’d flag hardest. The recommendation is 600 IU a day for kids over one, and a kid who isn’t drinking much milk or fortified alternative isn’t getting close.”
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The matter can become particularly crucial during autumn and winter, when children are set to spend fewer hours outdoors in the sunshine. Dr Boucher explained: “I practice in Nebraska. From October to April my patients are mostly indoors and far away from the sun so vitamin D synthesis in the skin is basically off the table.”
Vitamin D serves a vital function in children’s health, bolstering normal immune system operation while promoting proper bone growth and development. Yet, making sure youngsters get all they need from their meals can prove much more challenging than it sounds.
Kids Daily Multivitamin
Chewable Multivitamin with 15 essential vitamins & minerals to support immunity, growth, & development among kids. Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system and is needed for normal growth and development of bone in children. Shoppers can get 50% off their first month.
For mums and dads looking for a simple way to enhance their little one’s nutritional consumption, the Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin is now available for £14.50, reduced from £29, for a 30-day supply through a subscription service. That works out to approximately 48p per day.
Designed for youngsters aged three to 12, the chewable multivitamin packs in 15 vital vitamins and minerals, encompassing vitamins A, C, D and E, B vitamins, folic acid, B12, biotin, iodine, zinc, selenium and manganese. The supplement is also devoid of added sugar and artificial colourings, and comes in four flavours – cherry, strawberry, tropical and green apple.
An attractive proposition for even the fussiest of eaters, the vitamins come with a customisable tin(Image: Hiya)
The vitamins are delivered in a refillable glass jar featuring a child-resistant cap and a sticker pack, allowing children to decorate their own jar. Each following month, parents receive a refill pouch by post to top up their bottle, with subsequent orders costing £29.
Hiya’s products have been met with a wave of positive feedback from customers, amassing over 6,900 reviews across their product line, with an impressive 6,300 five-star ratings. One parent, who described their child as a ‘very picky eater’, shared: “It is really hard to get her to take any supplements, but she loved these. She had so much fun decorating her own little jar. I appreciate that they come in glass and have a child-proof lid as well. Of course, they are dye and sugar-free too.”
Another parent chimed in: “My toddler is super picky so a multivitamin is a must but he can also be picky about those as well! So when we found Hiya, and he loved them, I was so excited. He also had fun decorating the bottle.”
“My daughter doesn’t eat anything nutritional, and I’ve tried so many different vitamins and water – so much money -, but she takes her Hiya every day with no hesitation,” another mum revealed. “It’s amazing, and I feel better knowing she’s getting what she needs.”
Of course, there’s no guarantee that every youngster will be won over by them. One reviewer mentioned that their son wasn’t particularly fond of the vitamins, though they praised the brand’s customer service, explaining: “While my son did not like the vitamins, the customer service was spot on. They texted to see if we were liking it, and after a week of trying to get him to take them, I decided it wasn’t worth the struggle. I texted back, and it was easy to cancel. Sorry, we didn’t like the product, but if every company operated like Hiya, the world would be a better place.”
Hiya is currently offering parents 50% off their first order (Image: Hiya)
Another parent shared: “Ensuring my toddler gets his nutrients in used to be one more thing on my mental load, but he loves his Hiya vitamins and actually gets so excited about taking them, which has made such a difference. I love knowing he’s getting some extra nutritional support without having to fight him on it every day – the only fight we’re having is that he can only have one. One less thing for me to stress about is always a huge win.”
Hiya isn’t the sole retailer offering children’s multivitamins. Boots is presently selling Bio-Kult 3-in-1 Biotic Blend Multivitamin Gummies for Kids, providing 30 strawberry-flavoured gummies for £16.98. These include 10mcg of vitamin D3, while Hiya’s contain 25mcg of vitamin D.
At Holland and Barrett, Neubria Neu Kid – Multivitamin + Omega-3 30 Soft Chewables carry a price tag of £12. The supplements are said to be loaded with crucial vitamins (including vitamin D3), iodine and DHA, which is a key omega-3 fatty acid that serves an important function in supporting brain, eye, and heart health.
It’s important to remember that not every youngster will need a multivitamin supplement, but Dr Boucher explains there are particular warning signs that might indicate a child isn’t receiving adequate variety in their meals. He explained: “How many foods does your kid genuinely accept? If it’s under about twenty, under-nutrition of something is likely.”
He also urges parents to think about whether their youngster is cutting out a complete food group altogether. “No dairy, no meat, no fish, no eggs. Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, or a restriction that came from an elimination diet nobody ever un-eliminated.”
Many mums have said their kids loved decorating the refillable tin(Image: Hiya)
For youngsters who are particular eaters but otherwise enjoying good health, a multivitamin might still provide some benefits. “For a healthy kid with an unremarkable diet, a basic multivitamin is a reasonable, low-stakes hedge, but for a kid with a real red flag on that list, skip the supplement aisle and visit your paediatrician,” Dr Boucher added.
Hiya suggests giving its Kids Daily Multivitamin alongside breakfast, though it can be taken at any point during the day, whether with meals or on an empty stomach. Dr Boucher agreed: “Honestly? The ideal time is whichever time you’ll actually remember. Attach it to something that already happens every single day without anyone having to think. You brush your teeth after breakfast, the vitamin lives next to that.”
Customers can discover more about the Hiya multivitamins here.
