Is Ester-C® important for children with limited fruit and vegetable intake?

Ester-C® is an ideal way to help bridge any potential nutrition gap that may occur when children skimp on their fruits and vegetables. Their growing bodies need a steady supply of this powerful antioxidant every day. You can feel confident in choosing Natrol® Ester-C as a safe, gentle form of vitamin C that’s easy on the stomach. It’s an ideal choice for both children and adults.† Read on to learn more about specific dietary recommendations for finicky eaters and the recommended intake of vitamin C for children.

Dietary recommendations for finicky eaters

Don’t give up on your child’s diet. Encourage and offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. This will not only boost your child’s vitamin C intake, it will increase the intake of other nutrients and beneficial plant compounds, which are critical for good health. For finicky eaters, the key is variety. Eventually you’ll find a few favorites that your child will welcome. The good news is some of the most important food sources of vitamin C are also kids’ favorites — oranges, strawberries, kiwi, papaya, cantaloupe, broccoli, tomatoes, berries and bell peppers to name just a few.

If you choose to give your child a vitamin C supplement, consider a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement designed for children that contains Ester C such as Natrol’s Kid's Companion® Multiple Liquid. Another option is a standalone Ester C supplement. The Natrol brand offers a variety of kid-friendly forms, including natural orange flavored soft chews or chewable wafers, tropical fruit flavored liquid, or an easy-mixing powder for water or juice.

Recommended intake for vitamin C

While researchers have yet to agree on the amount of vitamin C for optimal health; the recommended intake to prevent a deficiency is well defined. Toddlers (1-3 years) must consume at least 15 mg/day; young children (4-8 years) require 25 mg/day and “tween” children (aged 9-13 years) need at least 45 mg/day. The safe upper limit is 400 mg/day, 650 mg/day and 1,200 mg/day, respectively. However, be careful not to overdue it. Amounts of vitamin C close to 1,000 mg/day can cause loose stools or diarrhea in adults, and therefore a lower amount could cause the same effect in children.^†

^† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Any tips to encourage my kids to take their supplements?

Just like picky eaters, some kids are finicky when it comes to taking supplements. Children are well known for their neophobic tendencies and are often reluctant or afraid to try something new. Here are a few ideas to help make supplement time an enjoyable occasion rather than a dreaded daily battle!

• Take your supplements together. Kids are heavily influenced by their parent’s behavior. The best way to get your kids to take their supplements, or to eat their veggies for that matter, is to model the behavior yourself.
• Choose a flavorful liquid or chewable. Flavor is critical when it comes to kid’s supplements, so try the supplement yourself before giving it to your child. If you wouldn’t take it, then don’t expect your kids to.
• Give your kids a choice. Pick at least two options at the store that meet your approval, and then let your child choose her favorite.
• Make taking supplements fun. Children remember—and enjoy—an activity better if there is a funny song, silly dance or quirky gesture associated with it. For instance, remind them to take their supplements by singing your own made-up version of a vitamin song.
• Praise your child for doing something healthy. You can almost always guarantee repeat behavior with positive reinforcement. Remind your child that taking supplements is a great way to keep her body healthy, and then let her know that she is “smart” for wanting to take care of herself.