Do our kids need Food Supplements?
When the school year started last June, I realized how thin Ren is now compared last year. His classmates all gained weight except him who visibly lost some pounds. Everybody at the school is asking me what happened to him during the vacation. They all thought he was sick.
these are some of his pictures from last year
The reason I told them was that he had a swimming lesson last summer and I thought that’s what made him thinner. But I felt they were not convinced every time I say that reason.
these pictures are taken this year.
The truth is that Ren has hard time consuming the meals I prepare for him. And he usually (always) misses taking his Vitamin supplement. I am just glad that he barely gets sick.
I am trying my best to be a good mom, but I know as much as I want to, I can’t make all things right. I cook healthy foods for my son’s baon because it is required at school, but at the house I am guilty of feeding my son preserved foods and those ordered from fast food once in a while. As a busy mom, sometimes I just prepare the easiest thing to prepare at the table.
So, the question is, does my son need a food supplement? I think the answer is Yes!
He can’t get the minerals and nutrients his body needs just by eating food with little nutritional value, and I am concerned of him getting thinner, that is why, aside from preparing a balanced diet, I decided to be religious this time in providing him the food supplements that he needs.
Here are the food supplements I am planning to give Ren:
- Milk– the reason why Ren stopped drinking milk was that he doesn’t like the taste anymore. But since milk is a good source of calcium and it is also fortified with vitamin D and it has other vital nutrients, including protein, phosphorous, vitamin A and some B vitamins so I think Ren needs it. What brand of milk is still the question on my mind.
- Iron– This is important for making hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying red pigment in the blood. Lack of iron can cause anemia, which can result in fatigue, weakness, and irritability. Oh boy! Ren needs this. I will consult his pediatrician about this first.
- Vitamin C– This is the only vitamin his pediatrician recommended to him when he was still a toddler. This vitamin helps form and repair red blood cells, bones, and tissues. It also helps keep child’s gums healthy and strengthens the blood vessels, minimizing bruising; assists with healing, boosts the immune system, and keeps infections at bay. Ren still has some un-opened bottle of Vitamin C here at the house, and I think he should consume it religiously starting now before it expires.
- Taurine, Lysine and Chlorella– I learned that Taurine can help your child perform better in school. It enhances your child’s mental performance. Lysine is needed for growth. Chlorella growth factorshelp your child aim higher. I am glad we received some bottles of Propan TLC. He has G6PD, and I also learned that kids who doesn’t eat beans and soya needs Lysine to provide for the nutrients that they needs.I need to be serious in helping my son achieve his full potential.
I am hoping this list of food supplements will help me do that.
How about you do you think your kids need food supplements also?
mommy levy try pediasure for his milk and apebon for kids for his vitamins 🙂
Oooh, I have been thinking about giving food supplements to my step son too. Thank you for sharing your list – I will refer them to the one that I did last week and see if I missed anything.
My daughter loves to eat except that she has quite a few restrictions due to allergy. My husband and I stopped giving her pedia-prescribed vitamins since she eats well and gains weight. She’s not the typical “mataba” but “buchikchik. 🙂 I’m still breastfeeding her also. Her pediatrician agreed with us not to give her vitamins anymore because her appetite was okay. However, lately, things started to change when she got too engrossed to play that she skipped meals and would say she’s still full! We brought her to her pedia and told her about it. She recommended to give vitamins again. And my daughter is back to her usual self, that is, a toddler with big appetite. 🙂 Thank you for sharing! 🙂
I’m afraid I won’t be of any help as I’m a first-time mommy and my baby is only 9 months old, tapos without vitamins pa. However, I want to thank you for this post because now I know that when he’s your son’s age, I may have to look into food supplements 🙂 Good luck with your search for the best ones!
Hi Mommy!
My eldest daughter is a picky eater too and to be honest, ang hirap talaga pakainin. I even bought cookie cutters in different shapes, hoping she’ll eat. Kaya I decided to give food supplements. I think that’s okay as long as may go signal from the pedia 🙂
Ren, is not picky eater naman mommy. That cookie cutter is a nice idea… parang bento lang din yan 🙂
Hi mommy just a suggestion if doesn’t like the taste of milk have it like in a different flavor like chocolate. Bearbrand is good brand and I grew up drinking this brand which is quite good. My son drinks it now as well. You can also try lactum my son’s pediatrician recommends it. For Vitamin C my Rj likes the taste of Ceelin. For Taurine, Lysine and Chlorella, you can do try cherifer. 🙂
Thank you for that suggestion regarding the milk. He likes the melon flavor of Nido now. For TLC we prefer Propan 🙂
For now, I don’t see the need for a food supplement. My daughter looks okay and her pedia just gave her vitamins. Sensitive tummy lang coz she wasn’t able to receive a rotavirus vaccine.
My son’s doctor doesn’t prescribe any vitamins so I prescribe my own vitamins because my son has no interest in eating food. He also stopped drinking formula milk when he was 3 years old and prefers the taste of fresh milk. I was happy that he drinks formula milk again after one year, pedia recommended pediasure kasi payat din anak ko.
Pediasure is quite expensive no?