When I was a new mom, I was fairly trusting – until I was given reason to doubt. As a result, I tried a lot of “normal” approaches to children and parenting.
Take children’s multi-vitamins, for an example. When it was time to introduce them to my toddler son, I picked up a bottle of vibrantly colored kids’ gummy vitamins at the grocery store. My son loved them – and my husband and I loved them, too, because they tasted just like candy.
About that same time, my son started to have some major and strange behavior issues – like banging his head until it bled. When I discovered that annatto, a natural food color, was causing his aggressive behavior and outbursts, I tried to eliminate it and all artificial food colors from our house. Right away I knew our multi-vitamins needed to change.
The multi-vitamins, chock full of FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #6, and FD&C Yellow #5, also contain aspartame.
Shockingly, One A Day Kids Jolly Rancher Gummy Vitamins contain 3 grams of sugar per two gummies (the recommended daily dosage) – that’s almost an entire teaspoon of sugar in each daily dose. (1 teaspoon is 4.16 grams.)
These vitamins are giving children much more than vitamins and minerals – in the form of ingredients that I don’t want anywhere close to my children.
My family’s choice
Once we decided to ditch popular kids’ vitamins, I tried to find natural options at our local health food store. I discovered many vitamin choices – but most included annatto as a natural food coloring. Finally I found Nature’s Plus Animal Parade Children’s Multi-Vitamins – and we’ve used them for years. Each morning my children make requests for their vitamin lions, tigers, elephants or hippos.
Of course, there are other options that aren’t riddled with sugar, artificial sweeteners and artificial colors, but that particular vitamin brand works best for my family.
Talk back
How about you? Do you give your children multi-vitamins? What natural brands do you prefer?
Disclosure: Purchasing Nature’s Plus vitamins through Vitacost through this post will result in a modest commission for Accidentally Green.
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We use the Animal Parade liquid vitamin! It’s great!
Wow… My 2 year old has been taking Flinstones for 3-4 months almost daily. His father and I have recently been noticing a steady increase in his outburst/tantrum behavior. For the first 1 1/2 years he was the most perfect angel sleeps every night 12 hours and 2 naps a day, never is ‘naughty’, always listened to both parents. Like i said he has steadily become a ‘terrible two’ … nbd my hubby and i thought. I am going to switch him to the animal parade. If it’s the terrible twos, I wont worry, but I cant live with the fact that I’m feeding my kid vitamins that contain the stuff i try desperately to keep away from him on the reg. Aspartame? ew. Thank you for this informative article.
We use the same Animal Parade vitamins here too, and love them. I was originally confused by the picture that goes with your article though — with the text chosen over the AP vitamins, it seems like you are discouraging the vitamins that are in the picture. Sorry if that didn’t come out clearly…I’m really tired. Did I make sense? Anyway, good to know about the annatto. I have been avoiding artificial colors, but had thought that annatto was ok. Off to some research. Thanks!
Center for Science in the Public Interest says annatto is one “some people should avoid.” It isn’t a health risk for everyone but can be a problem for people who are sensitive to it.
My son takes vitamins: multi, extra D, and fish oil. I have usually bought Animal Parade or other brands with natural colorings, but lately I’ve been lazy and snapping up on-sale vitamins. I noticed the other day that all the bottles he’s using now are Up&Up brand from Target. I need to read the labels!!
We use the same ones you do. :) (I thought the same thing as Libby regarding the picture, btw.) We tried switching to Rainbow Light (which is what mama takes), but the kids thought they were nasty. They are a little “heftier” in terms of content, but if the kids won’t take them, that’s not helpful. ;) So Animal Parade it is.