According to current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, nutrient needs for most healthy Americans, including children aged 2 and older, should be met first and foremost from nutrient-dense foods and beverages. Current research suggests that for most healthy Americans, a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement is unlikely to provide health benefits or prevent against chronic disease. Of course you should certainly check with your child’s pediatrician and a registered dietitian to see if supplementation is warranted (if she has food allergies or intolerances, for example). If it is, I’d definitely recommend liquid or another form that doesn’t pose a choking hazard. You can try offering it up in favorite foods or beverages; even if she doesn’t accept it at first, she may after several exposures. If your child seems to eat healthfully, continue to feed her a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods and beverages from all the basic food groups throughout the day—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans and peas—mashed of course to avoid choking), lean meats, fish, poultry, beef, and eggs. (The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) recommends waiting until the age of 3 or beyond to introduce certain foods including peanuts, peanut butter, tree nuts, fish, and seafood.) 

All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

Answered by Elisa Zied

Was this Helpful? (1)