Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
NAVIGATING VITAMINS FOR KIDS
Moms share their personal journey to finding a good fit
Ashley Martin of East Pikeland Township was diagnosed with a health condition in 2017 that woke her up to a different way of looking at her health and that of her and her husband’s three young sons.
“I learned the importance of supporting the body from the inside out,” Martin said.
When it came time to search out a multivitamin for her children to ensure they were getting all of their nutrients due to their picky eating, she researched options that aligned with the newfound way she wanted to conduct the nutritional aspects of her household.
“We are the gatekeepers of our home and we can control the products we bring into it,” she said.
Through research, Martin came across a kids’ chewable whole-food multi-nutrient supplement by Young Living. Only available online, it addressed her interest in a whole-food-based vitamin versus synthetic.
“It’s free of dyes, sugar and is made of whole foods,” she said. “I researched and really liked their practices — they farm on land that hasn’t been touched by pesticides in over 50 years.”
Beyond vitamins, Martin gets cleaning supplies, essential oils and makeup from Young Living.
Martin, who is an instructional coach by profession, loved the ‘living clean’ philosophy of Young Living so much that she is now a brand ambassador for them. She said she enjoys the opportunity it gives her to help others on their wellness journey.
“I like to help others reach their wellness goals — especially moms,” she said. “As a teacher I want people to be aware of the ingredients they are bringing into the home and how it affects their kids.”
Lori Gerberick, apothecary department head at Kimberton Whole Foods in Douglassville, is also a mom of three who has chosen
a whole-food-based vitamin among the sea of vitamin offerings available at the natural foods store.
“My children are older and can swallow tablets and capsules,”
Gerberick said. “My daughter is 17 and takes a woman’s multi (by Megafood), however, my two boys both take MegaFood Kids One Daily multi,” she said. “It’s a small one-a-day tablet. We have taken this for many years.”
Gerberick explained the difference between a whole-food-based and a synthetic vitamin.
“Whole food-based vitamins offer vitamins derived from food rather than an isolated nutrient created in a lab,” she said. “This is more easily absorbed by the body, as it is a food, and so offers a greater use of the vitamin by the body.”
She said you can typically find the food source listed next to the list of vitamins on the container.
“Whole food vitamins also often offer fruits and greens in addition to just vitamins and minerals,” she said.
In addition to whole-foodbased vitamins, Kimberton Whole Foods offers a large variety from which to choose for children ranging in age from infants to teens.
“We sell gummy vitamins, chewable wafers, and liquid infant vitamins,” Gerberick said. “We also carry one powdered children’s vitamin and we do have one that has small tablets to swallow.”
For children who prefer a gummy version, Gerberick offers a tip to parents who are concerned about their potential to cause dental issues.
“Gummy vitamins have had such an explosion in the last few years that basically there are gummy options in every category,” she said. “I think that parents who do not want gummy vitamins have other options, such as chewable wafers and even powder. Encouraging good dental hygiene after taking gummy vitamins is the best practice of course.’
Gerberick shared their bestselling vitamins in the different categories.
“The most popular gummy vitamins we sell here in Douglassville are the Nordic Naturals gummies — they are very tasty, and I love that they offer a zero-sugar variety,” she said, adding that Both Smarty Pants and Rainbow Light are brands that offer teen gummies that are very popular at their store. “The chewable wafers we offer that are most popular are Garden of Life and Nature’s Plus.”
Gerberick gives her children vitamins all year round and at times adds a boost.
“In winter months, we sometimes add extra vitamin C and D and other immune-boosting supplements,” she said.
Gerberick said she has always given multivitamins to her kids to cover what they don’t get from their food, so they have ease with taking them systematically.
“it’s just a part of our life so it’s basically second nature in our house,” she said.
For more information:
Young Living www.youngliving.com and www.lifeinbloomco.com
Kimberton Whole Foods, Douglassville
www.kimbertonwholefoods. com