10 best vegan and vegetarian kids’ vitamins & supplements

Many parents are turning to a plant-based diet for their families and with this change of lifestyle, they naturally start to think about the vitamins and minerals their child might need.

Often, they are aware that some nutrients are more difficult to find from a vegetarian or vegan diet and so they may look for good quality, vegan supplements to add to their children’s everyday diet.

Which vitamins are needed?

Vitamins A, C and D are recommended by the NHS for children from the age of weaning (which should start at six months). Your child should have a good mix of these vitamins plus E, K and all the B Vitamins. They should also have a good range of minerals, ‘good’ fats and Omega-3 oils.

Though a good, mixed diet should offer most of the nutrients your child needs, there are some substances that may be harder to find on a plant-based diet and of course, some children are picky eaters, meaning they might be lower in some nutrients.

• Which vegan milk or vegan baby formula is right for my child?
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Here’s how to find nutrients in a plant-based diet

• Calcium – green leafy vegetables, plant milks with added calcium
• Omega 3 – ground seeds, chia seeds
• Vitamin B12 – fortified breakfast cereals, yeast extract
• Iron – green leafy vegetables, lentils and other legumes, dried fruit such as apricots,
• Protein – soya, tofu, beans, lentils
• Vitamin D – non-dairy spreads but hard to find. A supplement is advised

Make sure you offer a good range of fruit and vegetables, as some help vitamins and minerals be better absorbed – for example, oranges and their vitamin C can help the body absorb more iron.

Ten of the best kids’ vitamins

1. OmniVegan MultiKids

Nordic Nutraceuticals

£15.75 for 80 tablets, suitable 3-10 years

These chewable tablets offer your child a good range of nutrients with 22 minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and other substances that are essential for health. This includes iodine, Vitamins C, D, E and all the Bs and iron, plus zinc and selenium. There’s calcium for bone growth plus choline and inositol.

The product is 100% vegan and the ingredients are from natural sources to make them easier to be absorbed by the body. The vitamin D has been sourced from lichen rather than an animal source, they are naturally strawberry flavoured and have no artificial sweeteners.

2. Nutri Bears

Cytoplan

£25.30 for 90 vegan bears

These are sweet little bear-shaped chewable vitamins suitable for children over three. They are red coloured and flavoured with strawberry flavouring and contain a  full spectrum of nutrients including all the B vitamins, E, A and C.

The nutrients are all in the form of bioavailable nutrients to make them easier to be absorbed by the body and to be gentle on little tummies.

They contain no gelatine, so are suitable for both vegetarians and vegans and they also contain folates, choline, zinc, D3 and selenium.

3. Vegums

Vegums

£12.95 for one month’s supply

These vitamins were created by vegan pharmacists for those following a plant-based diet and they are suitable for both children, who should take one a day from the age of three years, and adults who can take three.

They contain vitamins D, B12 and B6 as well as a range of nutrients that might be more difficult to get on a vegan diet. They contain iodine and selenium plus folic acids too.

They have just a sixth of a teaspoon per portion of sugar in them and are naturally coloured and flavoured. They come in a recyclable tin and refills are available in biodegradable corn starch bags. Vegan Society certified.

4. Go Strong Multivitamin

Chewwies 

£9.99 for 30 chewable sweets

These gelatine- and sugar-free chewable vitamins are great for kids over three years and are vegan and Halal certified. They have all the vitamins your growing child needs and also have no artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, lactose, gluten or soy, so great for little ones with allergies. They are chewable and so it’s easy to get your child to eat them rather than swallowing tablets. They taste of raspberry.

5. Junior Multi Plus

Optima Healthcare

£3.99 for 60 chewable tablets

These vegan tablets are suitable for children over two years and are little chews with a strawberry and vanilla flavour.

They help support your little one’s health with a range of nutrients including vitamins A, C, D2, E, B vitamins, folates and zinc. They contain no artificial colours or flavours.

6. Welkid Peppa Pig Multi-Vits

Vitabiotics

£7.95 for 30 jellies

From one of the country’s largest vitamin companies come these vegan jelly vitamins with a cute Peppa Pig cartoon on the label.

They have a mix of all eight B-complex vitamins and they also include A, C, D and E. They offer folic acid and are suitable for children over three years old.

7. mykind Organic Kids Multi-Fruit Gummies

Garden of Life

£23.25 for 120 tablets

These fruit flavoured chewable tablets made with nine fruits are shaped like little bears, so your little one will love seeing which ones they have each day (recommended dose is four per day for over four-year-olds).

The tablets contain vitamins (including A, C D, E and the B vitamins) and they also contain 8 minerals too, derived from whole foods. They are sweetened with xylitol rather than sugar and have natural fruity flavours.

The tablets contain pepper, beetroot, blueberry, ginger and  carrot plus holy basil, moringa, guava and amla.

8. Nutrigen Vegy Syrup

Nutrigen

£11.89 for 200ml

A great one for fussy eaters and kids who just don’t like their vegetables, this liquid is an easy way to get nutrients into your child.

It takes the best bits of various vegetables including cabbage, artichoke broccoli, leeks, carrots and spinach, offering seven vegetable extracts, 12 vitamins and minerals.

It can be given to children over 12 months for a source of vitamins A, C, D, E and K and the B vitamins, plus selenium, iodine and zinc.

9. Vitamin Code Kids’ Multivitamins

Vitamin Code

£13 for 30 chewables

Made from a whole food base of fruit and vegetables, Vitamin Code Kids is a great-tasting Non-GMO Project Verified chewable vitamin. All Vitamin Code supplements are RAW, which means they’re produced at temperatures below 46º C and deliver a wide range of nutrients, just like raw foods.

Made with no artificial flavours, sweeteners or additives, and rich with vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, Vitamin Code Kids is designed to support children’s’ healthy development.

10. Kidz Multi-Vitamins & Minerals

Nature’s Aid

£7.95 for 50ml

An easy way to offer a good range of vitamins for children from three months to five years as it can be dropped into your child’s mouth or put into cold food or drinks as it has a delicious natural banana flavouring. It includes Vitamins A, C, D and B plus thiamine.

The ingredients help your child’s immune system, support bone and tooth health and help with normal muscle function.

Sally J. Hall is the author of Plant Based Baby