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03/11/2021 by gummiesforkids 0 Comments

Top 6 Purple Foods You Should Be Eating

Have you ever wondered why some fruits and vegetables are purple? When a fruit or vegetable is purple, it’s a sign that they contain many antioxidants, as the antioxidant anthocyanin is what gives certain foods their deep purple colours. Anthocyanins have a wide range of health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, lower blood pressure, anti-cancer properties, and memory enhancement. This article outlines the top six purple foods you should add to your diet to get the most health benefits.

Purple Cabbage

Purple cabbage or also known as red cabbage, gets its vivid purple colour from its anthocyanins. This powerful antioxidant gives this already nutrient-packed vegetable an added boost of health benefits. Purple cabbage is also rich in fibre, vitamin A and vitamin C, which can help meet your daily needs. Due to its high level of antioxidants, this cruciferous vegetable also provides you with anti-inflammatory effects. Try using purple cabbage in a slaw, roasted in the oven, or stir fry.

Blackberries

Blackberries are a popular purple fruit loaded with many nutrients and antioxidants. The anthocyanins found in this fruit provide benefits such as protection from cell damage and reducing inflammation in the body. Blackberries are also rich in fibre, vitamin C, folic acid, magnesium, and potassium. All of these nutrients make for a delicious and nutritious fruit choice. Try adding blackberries to yogurt, freeze and add into smoothies, or add to a salad for a tasty boost of nutrition.

Purple Potatoes

Purple potatoes are not your average potato when it comes to nutrition; These colourful potatoes are rich in fibre, potassium, vitamin C and have double the antioxidants compared to the regular potato varieties you see at the grocery store. These valuable antioxidants have positive health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation. Add purple potatoes into a breakfast potato hash, make baked fries, or even purple mashed potatoes.

Purple Grapes

Grapes are an excellent source of antioxidants. They have two plant compounds that help protect the body from damage: resveratrol and anthocyanins. Resveratrol helps protect your cells from free radicals, which can cause damage to the body, leading to certain diseases. This antioxidant-like compound comes from the skin of the grapes, where you can find anthocyanins as well.

Purple Cauliflower

Purple cauliflower is a vibrant alternative to white-coloured varieties. This cruciferous vegetable contains many anthocyanins, which do not occur naturally in nature. Due to a genetic mutation, cauliflower now has a stunning purple colour and is loaded with antioxidants for a nutritious boost to this versatile veggie. In addition, purple cauliflower can offer anti-inflammatory benefits that protect against certain cancers and heart disease. Add in purple cauliflower into a stir-fry, roast in the oven, or serve raw with a veggie dip for added flavour.

Elderberries

Elderberries are well known for their deep purple colour and immune-supporting effects. You will most likely see a concentrated version of this berry in natural remedies used to treat colds or flu. This immune-enhancing purple food is also rich in fibre and vitamin C. Try using this berry to make a jam, fruit juice, or even your own syrup.

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03/11/2021 by gummiesforkids 0 Comments

How To Keep Your Fruits And Veggies Fresh?

Keeping your fruits and veggies fresh does not have to be complicated. There are many different ways to store your produce that can ensure that your fruit and vegetables will be just as fresh as the day you bought them. With a few simple tips, you will have fresh produce all week long. Follow the guide below for the best way to store your produce to keep it fresh! 

On the countertop

There are many fruits that ripen best at room temperature before placing them in the fridge. These fruits benefit most from this method because it maximizes their flavour and sweetness. Just make sure to check on them periodically, so they don’t over-ripen. If you want to use the produce more quickly than it is ripening, then place the fruit in a paper bag with a ripe banana; this method will speed up the ripening process. But, make sure to check on the fruit every day to ensure the best possible ripeness. Below are the fruits that are best kept on the counter before placing them in the fridge:

  • Melons 
  • Avocados 
  • Peaches 
  • Oranges 
  • Bananas 
  • Pears 
  • Kiwis 
  • Tomatoes

In the fridge

The best tip to keep produce fresh is to store fruits and vegetables separately in the refrigerator! This is because some fruits release ethylene gas that can spoil veggies before you eat them. It is best to use a crisper drawer, this will keep the right moisture level to maintain freshness for longer. The following fruits and veggies are best kept in the fridge:

  • Grapes
  • Apples
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Berries
  • Peppers
  • Carrots
  • Green beans
  • Zucchini
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts

In the pantry

The pantry is a great cool, dry, and dark place to store produce to keep it fresher longer. This storage place is a simple, easy way to keep vegetables on hand for the week. A helpful tip to maintain freshness is to keep onions away from other vegetables; onions release a gas that may spoil other produce. The following are best kept in the pantry to maintain freshness:

  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Potatoes
  • Winter squash

In the freezer

The freezer is an excellent way of preserving produce at its peak ripeness and nutritional quality. Freezing fruits and vegetables at home is also a quick and easy way to store them for future use. For nights when you do not feel like prepping veggies, pulling a bag of broccoli out of the freezer can save you time and the headache of preparing food after a long day. This method can also help you reduce your food waste by saving veggie scraps for making homemade veggie broth. Here are a few ideas for freezing fresh produce:

  • Frozen strawberries
  • Frozen peeled bananas
  • Frozen grapes
  • Frozen blueberries
  • Frozen broccoli
  • Frozen carrot, onion, celery scraps

With the help of these tips and tricks, you will surely be able to keep your fruits and veggies fresh!

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28/02/2019 by gummiesforkids 0 Comments

The Best Vitamins for Kids’ Immune Systems

Few things are more important to parents than keeping their kids safe and healthy. Whether your kids’ schools are starting to open back up or if they’re continuing with virtual learning, it’s important that their little immune systems stay strong and resilient.

Certain nutrients and vitamins, along with a healthy lifestyle, can support your child’s immune system. With so many things to be mindful of during the hectic job of parenting, safeguarding against coughs, fevers, and sniffles can prove challenging.

So, to all the busy parents out there, here’s how to help boost your kids’ immunity and 5 vitamins that are scientifically proven to support immunity.

How to Boost Your Child’s Immune System

Due to their rapid growth and development, kids require a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are crucial for their cells to function normally and are critical for their growth, energy, attention, learning, and memory.

There are a few practical ways to boost your kid’s immune system and help keep them healthy all through the year, like wrapping them up in colder months, promoting quality sleep, and encouraging plenty of physical activity. Experts agree that the best way for kids to get the nutrients they need is by consistently eating healthy food.

For a variety of reasons, those well-rounded, home-cooked meals aren’t always possible. Maybe you’re a time-crunched parent dealing with a picky eater and are struggling to convince your kids to eat the foods containing the nutrients they need. In these cases, supplementing with vitamins can help.

Five Important Vitamins for Kids Immune Systems

When it comes to boosting your child’s immune defences, supplementing with Vitamin C, Vitamin D, zinc, can contribute significantly. Here’s how each of these 5 natural supplements can help build up your child’s immune defences and keep them healthy.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has a long list of benefits that are crucial for your child’s good health and development. But one of its best-known features is its role in supporting the body’s immune system. Because Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, it can help strengthen your little one’s natural defences. This vitamin also helps to protect cells from harmful molecules called free radicals and helps protect against oxidative damage.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is critical for our immune systems to function properly. An inadequate level of Vitamin D may increase susceptibility to infection. Your little ones can get Vitamin D by soaking up the sunshine in the summer months. But it’s harder for them to get the Vitamin D they need, particularly during colder months and when they’re sitting in their classrooms. Food can provide some Vitamin D, but you may not obtain enough through diet alone. So, in many cases, a supplement might help.

Zinc

One of the most crucial micronutrients for your kid’s immune system is zinc. It supports growth during childhood and. The body needs zinc for the immune system to work properly.

Multivitamins

A wide array of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and selenium play different roles in keeping your kid’s immune system in tip-top shape. This is where a multivitamin can come in handy. Multivitamins can be especially helpful for your child if, is eating a restrictive diet, like vegetarian or vegan, or is a very picky eater.

Gut Health

Children develop their microbiome in the womb and through early childhood. Some of the bacteria that end up in their guts are healthy and some are not. This balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut is critical for both children’s and adults’ health and wellbeing.

The gut is home to about 70% of the cells that make up the human immune system. Gut health is a critical component of a child’s immune system.

The Importance of Whole Foods for a Child’s Immune System

The best possible source of vitamins for kids’ immune systems is high-quality, fresh, and unprocessed food. But for most time-crunched families, eating home-cooked, well-balanced meals made from these ingredients 100% of the time just isn’t possible. Our families’ schedules, lifestyles, and preferences can sometimes get in the way.

Many kids do not eat enough of the fresh fruits, veggies, and other healthy foods they need to maintain strong and sturdy immune systems. In fact, an alarmingly high percentage of children eat less than the minimum daily allowance of many essential nutrients.

A great and time-efficient way to guard your kids’ health and ensure they get the nutrients they need is to supplement with Vitamin C, Vitamin D, zinc, and/or a multivitamin. Ditamin Gummies for Kids, we offer a variety of supplements that can help your littles stay healthy year-round.

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28/02/2019 by gummiesforkids 0 Comments

Kids Need Their Nutrients

Most parents know that children need vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. But knowing exactly what nutrients and how much they need of each is not always easy. Learning a bit more about vitamins and minerals can help ensure your kids are on the right nutritional track.

Despite parents’ best efforts, kids may not always get all the vitamins and minerals they need. To make sure your kids are getting the full range of nutrients that they need, be sure to offer your children a variety of foods. Start by taking a closer look at the foods your kids eat on a regular basis.

The nutrition labels on food packaging can show you which foods contain the proper nutrients. Below is a breakdown of the essential vitamins and minerals that kids and teens need for different areas of growth and where to find them:

  • Vitamin A is important for healthy skin and normal growth, and it also helps vision and tissue repair. Vitamin A can be found in rich quantities in yellow and orange vegetables, dairy products, and liver.
  • Vitamin B helps the body produce red blood cells and assists in metabolic activities. Vitamin B is found in meat, poultry, fish, soy, milk, eggs, whole grains, and enriched breads and cereals.
  • Vitamin C is the body’s tool for healing and fighting off infection, and it also strengthens tissue, muscles, and skin. For healthy doses of vitamin C, look to citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, brussels sprouts, spinach, and broccoli.
  • Vitamin D helps the body form and maintain strong teeth and bones and assists with the absorption of minerals such as calcium. Vitamin D is found in fortified dairy products and in fish oils. Adequate exposure to sunlight is also a way to get enough vitamin D. Sunlight stimulates the vitamin, which naturally occurs in the skin, to become active in the body. (Remember not to stay in the sun too long without SPF protection.)
  • Iron is important for kids, especially during periods of accelerated growth. Iron contributes to the production of blood and the building of muscles. Beef, turkey, fish, beans, and fortified breads and cereals are excellent sources of iron.
  • Calcium is vital for the development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. Consuming inadequate amounts during childhood can affect growth and development, but it can also lead to weak, fragile, and porous bones (potentially leading to osteoporosis later in life). Calcium is found in low-fat milk, sardines, yogurt, and cheese. It is also present in lesser amounts in vegetables such as broccoli.

Spelling out a good diet

Because the body cannot naturally produce all the necessary vitamins and minerals, it is important to ensure that kids get these vital building blocks in the foods they eat. A well-balanced diet is typically all it takes to guarantee that kids and teens are getting the necessary vitamins and minerals. But how much of everything do they need?

Because vitamin deficiencies may not be obvious, following the recommendations can help eliminate worries about whether your children are receiving appropriate nutrients.

  • Kids need 1.5–4 ounces of whole grains every day, depending on age. Not all brown breads use whole grains, so check the label.
  • A healthy serving of vegetables means getting 1–3 cups per day, depending on age. For fruit, kids should get 1–2 cups every day. Fruit juice may count toward this serving, although it’s important to check the label and make sure it contains real fruit content—not just from concentrates or sweeteners.
  • To meet calcium requirements, kids need at least 2–3 cups of milk a day. Yogurt and cheese are good milk alternatives. To get the healthiest servings, look for low-fat options.
  • Kids should get 2–6.5 ounces of protein per day, depending on age. This is best found in chicken, beef, turkey, and fish. For vegetarian protein choices, look toward nuts, beans, and peas.

Need a vitamin?

For children and teens with highly selective diets, such as vegetarianism or a dairy-free diet, and for children with erratic eating patterns, a health care provider may recommend a daily supplement, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

Over-the-counter Ditamin Gummies for Kids is typically safe and come in chewable forms in case your child has difficulty swallowing. Remember, however, that higher-than-­recommended dosages of supplements can cause problems. For example, giving high doses of vitamin C in hopes of preventing colds and the flu can cause a child to have nausea, diarrhea, and cramps.

Ditamin Gummies for Kids comes in fun colours and shapes and yummy taste, but they are not candy. Make sure you’ve told your child that vitamins are a kind of medicine—not a snack. Follow label instructions about serving size and dosage instructions. Ask your health care provider for advice if you have questions about supplements. Keep vitamins and supplements out of the reach of children and make sure the items are stored in child-proof containers.

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28/02/2019 by gummiesforkids 0 Comments

Gluten Free Shopping Tips For Parents

As a parent, learning how to shop for a gluten-free diet can be a little overwhelming, but rest assured it is manageable with some practice and a few simple tips. Nowadays, shopping for gluten-free food is much easier than it used to be. With the growing awareness about celiac disease and other conditions complicated by gluten, the gluten-free market has expanded across most grocery stores and even in restaurants. Although there are more options for gluten-free products, making sure the foods you buy do not contain gluten or gluten-containing ingredients can still be a challenge. In this article, you will learn a few simple tips to make shopping for a gluten-free diet a little easier

Shop the perimeter of the grocery store first 

All non-processed foods, such as vegetables, fruits, dairy products, eggs, and meat, are located around the perimeter of the grocery store. These items are great to add to your gluten-free shopping list because they are 100% naturally gluten-free. When planning your meals for the week, start with these items to make meal planning and shopping easier. 

Head to the gluten-free foods aisle next 

Most grocery stores now have sections dedicated to gluten-free foods, and even shelf labels to indicate gluten-free foods, which can reduce the pressure of finding gluten-free cereals or gluten-free products that kids like. Products labelled “gluten-free,” must adhere to the August 2014 ruling established by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the food item must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) gluten. This labelling can be a quick, convenient way to narrow your food options and have peace of mind. 

Choose high-fibre gluten-free grains 

Many gluten-free products on the market contain low-fibre alternatives, such as corn, tapioca flour, rice, and potato flour, rather than high-fibre options such as wheat. These alternatives can lead to constipation when only consuming these low-fibre options. Instead, choose high-fibre options such as whole-grain brown rice or look for gluten-free alternatives that contain amaranth, beans, chickpeas, quinoa, and millet to add much-needed fibre into your child’s diet. 

Look for added gluten in processed foods 

Convenience items that are pre-packaged or ready-to-eat, frequently contain gluten-containing additives to increase freshness. Many sauces and seasonings also contain gluten, so be sure to know what words to look for on the label to identify these gluten-containing ingredients. 

Always, always, always read labels 

Following a gluten-free diet is not always easy. Reading and decoding labels is key to a successful shopping trip. For newly gluten-free households, printing out a list of ingredients that contain gluten can be helpful when reading long labels that have unfamiliar words. For products you have researched and previously purchased, or if it is a traditionally gluten-free brand, always check the ingredient list for any changes. Often, food manufacturers tweak their products and this can sometimes make the originally safe product not gluten-free anymore. 

Remember that “wheat-free” doesn’t mean gluten-free 

This can be an easy mistake to make when beginning to buy gluten-free foods. Gluten is also found in rye and barley, so a product that is labelled wheat-free may still contain gluten. 

Decoding food labels 

Decoding food labels can be challenging, especially when most of the words in the ingredients are unfamiliar. With much practice, time, and patience reading labels will become easier and easier. Skip any products that contain any of these ingredients: 

  • Malt 
  • Malt flavour 
  • Malt extract 
  • Malt vinegar 
  • Brewer’s yeast 
  • Barley 
  • Rye 
  • Wheat 
  • Oats

Ditamin Gummies for Kids, we offer a variety of supplements gummies that are gluten free comes in fun colours and shapes and yummy tast.

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28/02/2019 by gummiesforkids 0 Comments

Vitamin D For Babies – How To Make Sure Infants Meet The Requirements

It is normal for a new parent to be concerned about their baby getting the proper nutrition they need. As babies grow, they need good nutrition for proper growth. Vitamin D is one of the key nutrients for your baby as they grow; it is a vitamin that aids their body in absorbing the calcium it needs to build strong bones. But, where can your baby get vitamin D from? This nutrient is not naturally found in many foods but there are some fortified foods with vitamin D. It is important to know which foods this vitamin is found in and if supplementation may be necessary for your baby to meet their requirements. In this article, you will learn about why babies need vitamin D and how to make sure they meet the requirements.

Why do babies need vitamin D?

Vitamin D is essential for your baby’s growing bones and teeth. This vitamin also plays an important role in respiratory health and immune system health. With such important functions in the body, vitamin D supplementation is usually necessary to ensure your baby meets their needs. Babies who are deficient in vitamin D can develop a brittle bone disease called rickets (a disorder in which the bones soften, making them vulnerable to fractures). Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and use it to build and strengthen bones and teeth.

Vitamin D requirements and where to get it from

Newborns and infants need 400 IUs of vitamin D daily until they are consuming 32 ounces of vitamin D fortified formula, or a minimum of 4 cups of whole milk (after 12 months old) daily, according to the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP). Babies who are breastfed should take a vitamin D supplement. If your baby is formula-fed, they may not need a supplement if they are consuming the minimum amount (32 ounces/daily). If your baby is breastfed until they transition to solid foods, they need to continue taking a vitamin D supplement. Babies can begin to get vitamin D from foods such as whole milk, yogurt and cheese, fortified orange juice, fish, eggs, fortified cereals, tofu, and fortified soy milk. You can also continue to supplement vitamin D after they begin solids to ensure they are still meeting their requirements.

Can babies get vitamin D from sunlight?

Our bodies make vitamin D when we are exposed to sunlight. But, the UV rays from the sun can also be damaging to the skin at any age. The AAP guidelines recommend decreasing direct sunlight exposure for infants younger than 6 months old. With physical activity and time spent outside it is recommended to wear protective clothing along with sunscreen (after 6 months old) to ensure full protection from direct sunlight. When following these guidelines, vitamin D supplementation is necessary during infancy and childhood.

Why do breastfed babies need vitamin D supplements?

Compared to formula-fed infants, breastfed babies are at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. Although breast milk is the most nutritious food for your baby, it does not contain enough vitamin D to meet the daily requirement. That is why the AAP recommends supplementing your baby with 400 IU of vitamin D drops while breastfeeding. If your baby consumes a combination of breast milk and formula, they will still need to supplement vitamin D to meet their needs until they begin eating solids. What if a nursing mom is taking a prenatal vitamin with vitamin D? If a nursing mom is consuming a prenatal vitamin with vitamin D, it is still not enough to meet your baby’s daily requirements and supplementation is necessary.

Reference

  1. Wagner, C., & Greer, F. (2008, November 01). Prevention of rickets and vitamin d deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents. 

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28/02/2019 by gummiesforkids 0 Comments

A Pediatrician’s Guide to Enhancing Your Baby’s Brain and Bone Development

As a paediatrician, new parents always ask me, “What are the best vitamins for babies to help support brain and bone development?”, and my reply is always that the secret to healthy development lies within the first 1,000 days of life.

Your baby’s important systems begin to develop at conception and continue throughout early childhood. Specifically, the first 1,000 days of life, from conception to age 2, are critical for your child’s brain development but also for a variety of other systems.

Your Baby’s First 1,000 Days

So, what can you do in these first 1,000 days to enhance and support your baby’s development? Let’s tackle each phase during this critical window.

Phase 1 – Pregnancy

Proper nutrition during pregnancy is all about supporting your baby’s brain development and cognition. During pregnancy, women should focus on a healthy diet and good supplementation, not only for themselves but with their growing babies in mind as well.

During pregnancy, I recommend women start with a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are the building blocks for brain development and are absolutely essential. Food’s high in Omega-3s include fish, soybeans, and nuts.

One important Omega-3 fatty acid is DHA. DHA plays a critical role in foetal brain, eye, and nervous system development. While DHA is naturally found in some foods, many women fall short on getting the amount needed for optimal health, especially during pregnancy. Starting a supplement high in DHA is a great way to support a healthy overall pregnancy while also supporting your baby’s growth and development.

Studies also repeatedly show a link between what our babies hear in the womb and positive brain function and development. Music can be a fantastic tool for jumpstarting your baby’s cognition. In fact, one study found that “extensive prenatal exposure to a melody induces neural representations that last for several months.” Your baby may be able to recognize sounds heard throughout your pregnancy! So playing music and talking to your baby during pregnancy are fantastic ways to support a healthy brain.

Phase 2 – Newborns and Infants

Once your baby is born, bone development becomes a top priority.

In fact, osteoporosis in adults can often be traced back to inadequate bone health in childhood. To prevent future concerns, it is important to speak to your paediatrician about proper nutrition and supplementation needed for healthy bone growth.

One nutrient critical to bone health is vitamin D as it helps our bodies absorb calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D is found in some foods naturally, and it is also produced in our skin in sunlight. However, not much vitamin D is transferred through breast milk, and the American Academy of Paediatrics recommends all children stay out of direct sun as much as possible.

These restrictions make it difficult for your newborn to receive the AAP’s recommended 400IU of vitamin D daily. If your baby is exclusively or even partially formula fed, all formulas are now fortified with vitamin D. But if you are exclusively breastfeeding, the AAP highly recommends supplementing vitamin D.

Vitamin K2 is another important nutrient. It helps blood clot properly and helps make sure calcium is able to function appropriately. Vitamin K2 is essential in getting calcium from the bloodstream into bones to ensure proper bone strength and development.

Ditamin BabyVit Vitamin D3 Drops are an effortless way to give your infant the vitamin D needed for healthy bone development. In addition to healthy bones, vitamin D also promotes immune, respiratory, and heart health!

Phase 3 – Toddlers and Beyond

Of course, healthy habits begin in infancy. But you should continue to reinforce these habits throughout childhood:

1. Healthy Diet – Healthy foods and snacks provide your child with adequate nutrition needed for growing brains and bodies!

2. Good Sleep Habits – School-aged children need up to 11 hours of sleep. And pre-schoolers need a total of 13 hours of sleep per day. When our children are run down and tired, they become more vulnerable to illnesses.

According to the AAP, “Children who get enough sleep have a healthier immune system and better school performance, behaviour, memory, and mental health.”

3. Limited Screen Time – Read to your child instead of watching TV. Pretend play and engaging in activities that support critical thinking are also excellent ways to continue to promote healthy brain development throughout childhood.

4. Dietary Supplementation – When parents ask me what vitamins are best for babies and children, I always suggest starting with a multivitamin. Ditamin Gummies for kids offers excellent multivitamin options for children in a yummy funny gummy way!.

Final Thoughts on the Best Vitamins for Babies and Children

As you can see, proper nutrition is vital during the first 1,000 days of your baby’s life.

Important systems, like brains and bones, are all developing during these critical years. Nutritional gaps can lead to significant health concerns later in life.

So, help set your child up for a lifetime of good health, and choose the best vitamins for babies, from conception through early childhood.

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28/02/2019 by gummiesforkids 0 Comments

The Importance of Calcium in Childhood

Most children and adolescents aren’t getting the Calcium they need to build peak bone mass. For this reason, it’s of vital importance that your child gets enough Calcium on a daily basis.

Just about every parent knows that children require Calcium to build strong bones. Calcium, one of the most abundant minerals in the human body, accounts for approximately 1.5% of total body weight. Bones and teeth contain 99% of the Calcium in the body, while the remaining 1% is distributed in other areas.

By the time your child reaches age 17, almost 90% of their adult bone mass will already have been established. For this reason, it’s of vital importance that your child gets enough Calcium on a daily basis. It is during childhood, often referred to as the “bone-forming years” that a child’s body is most capable of absorbing Calcium. But the fact is, most children and adolescents aren’t getting the Calcium they need to build peak bone mass.

According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 86% of teenage girls and 64% of teenage boys are “calcium deficient.” And did you know that children who don’t get enough Calcium are more likely to suffer from bone fractures and may develop osteoporosis as they age? Plus, they also risk having weaker teeth and tooth decay later in life.

If the body does not get enough calcium from food or supplements, the body will then tend to take it from someplace else, such as from the bones. That’s why there may be a thinning of the bones if the body experiences Calcium deficiency. Although it would be great if children could get the Calcium they need through a Calcium-rich diet, often it’s not possible. In this busy day and age, children often do not get the amount of vegetables and nutrients they need every day. Many are too picky to eat all the healthy foods. But Calcium is one nutrient kids cannot afford to skip. Supplementation can help.

Calcium and The Role of Magnesium and Vitamin D

To avoid losing calcium from their bones, a child’s body must properly absorb it. In order to do this, a combination of Vitamin D and Magnesium is needed. In fact, for optimum absorption and utilization, it is recommended that Calcium should be combined with Magnesium, Vitamin D and Zinc. These nutrients help support and establish the very foundation for your child’s structural growth and integrity.

Calcium and Magnesium help balance each other in the body. Magnesium is essential for the development and maintenance of healthy bones. It actually works together with Calcium and Vitamin D to help keep bones strong and this combination of minerals may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Magnesium deficiency can actually result in Calcium depletion and lead to issues for a child’s healthy development.

Calcium and The Role of Magnesium and Vitamin D

Childhood is a key time for Calcium consumption at adequate levels. It is simply a fact that bone Calcium begins to decrease in young adulthood and people gradually lose bone density as they age. Teens, especially girls, whose diets do not provide the nutrients to build bones to their maximum potential are at greater risk of developing the bone disease called osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures from weakened bones. There are three key reasons you should assure your child receives the proper calcium intake daily:

  1. Healthy Bone Development: Bones grow rapidly during childhood and adolescence and children require Calcium at levels that will support the building of strong bones and fight bone loss later in life. Proper consumption of Calcium supports proper bone density, especially important as children mature into adulthood.
  2. Dietary Lifestyle: Today’s lifestyle does not always encourage proper Calcium consumption. Children who drink soda, energy drinks or caffeinated beverages absorb even less Calcium because these substances may interfere with the way the body absorbs and uses Calcium. In addition, high levels of sugary sodas can cause tooth decay.
  3. More Than Just Bones: Calcium is well-known as a building material for bones and teeth, but you also need it to keep your child’s developing heart and nerves in healthy working order.
  • Calcium helps to regulate muscle function and the contractions of the heart.
  • Calcium plays a role in the transmission of nerve impulses and even in blood clotting.
  • Key organs and bodily functions, such as metabolism and the parathyroid gland, need Calcium to operate at their best.
  • Calcium may even help children keep the weight off. Research suggests that if you don’t get enough calcium in your diet, you’re likely to be overweight. Of course, it’s possible to be overweight even if you do get plenty of Calcium, but an adequate supply of Calcium appears to make it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

Give your child the daily Calcium support they need! Ditamin Gummies for kids Calcium Plus Vitamin D provides the needed calcium and vitamin D for strong body, it has a yummy tasting flavour and the gummy form makes it easy and funny to take.

Supplementation in children is almost always helpful … and necessary. Ditamin Gummies for kids ® uses only the highest Canadian quality ingredients in their natural formulas. All Ditamin Gummies for kids products are gluten free, casein free and alcohol free. It contains no milk, eggs, yeast, wheat or corn. There are no artificial colourings, no artificial sweeteners and no artificial preservatives. It is a perfect choice for children who are lactose intolerant as well as for children who consume vegetarian diets and may not be getting adequate levels of calcium from their diet.

References

  1. http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=129387&page=1

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26/02/2019 by gummiesforkids 0 Comments

Why Children Should Avoid Artificial Flavorings

It has long been suggested that artificial colourings can have a negative effect on our bodies. And now studies are demonstrating that additives can be harmful and cause changes in behaviour.

This is especially true for children who are still growing, still developing, still fragile and still susceptible. What’s happening in their diet will contribute to how every child feels, how they think and how they act. Studies have suggested that a large number of children may react to and their bodies may be aggravated by the artificial colourings found in many processed foods, often times reacting more to these artificial chemicals than to the actual food itself.

Parents report noticing calmer dispositions and better attitudes once removing foods with dyes from their children’s diets. In two studies published in 2004 and 2007, researchers from Southampton University suggested that a statistically significant increase in the hyperactivity of children occurred after they consumed common artificial food colours and additives from fruit drinks.1,2

Looking at the artificial food additives and foods that your child may be sensitive or allergic to is an important aspect of their diet. As a concerned parent, you may want to try eliminating artificial colourings as much as possible from your child’s diet. This can be achieved by looking at labels, focusing on locally grown and predominantly organic foods.

No Fake Flavors!

Nature has provided us with countless plants and natural substances that add taste and flavour to our food and supplements. So why would anyone knowingly choose an artificial or synthetic flavoured product for a child?

Many of the processed foods come with an ingredient label that lists “artificial flavours” as one of the key ingredients. Artificial flavours are chemical mixtures that mimic a natural flavour. Some companies spend countless hours and money-making artificial grape, cherry, orange, banana, apple and other flavours.

It is now apparent that not only is the type of food we are eating important, but it is also important as to what some manufacturers are adding to our food products. Food additives have the purpose of adding taste, flavour and colour. Today our children are exposed to additives and chemicals every day. And a child’s metabolism is much more sensitive than an adult’s, which means that adverse reactions to toxins introduced into the body can be magnified.

The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) is the organization that provides recommendations for paediatricians to follow. A review published in the AAP Grand Rounds in February, 2008, has noted the adverse effects of artificial additives on the behaviour of children in the general population as reported by a British study in September 2007. The editor of the study notes, “In each case, increased hyperactive behaviours were associated with consuming the additives.”

Daily supplements are especially important to be as natural as possible. You can be confident in using Ditamin Gummies for Kids vitamins. all products have no artificial colourings, no artificial flavourings and no artificial sweeteners.

References

  1. Schab DW, Trinh NH (2004). “Do artificial food colors promote hyperactivity in children with hyperactive syndromes? A meta-analysis of double-blind placebo-controlled trials”. Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP 25 (6): 423–34. doi:10.1097/00004703-200412000-00007. PMID 15613992.
  2. Donna McCann et al. (2007). “Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial.” The Lancet in press.

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06/06/2016 by gummiesforkids 0 Comments

Summer Activities for Kids

Oh, how we love summer! The season welcomingly brings us warm and sunny days allowing for more time to be outside and play. Summer is also a time where most kids are out of school. If you are searching for some fun activities for you and your kids to experience this summer, look no further. In this blog, you will get some inspiration on an array of unique summer activities to plan with your kids so they can have fun and learn while staying active all summer long.

Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradisematic country in which roasted parts of sentences fly into your mouth. Even the all-powerful Pointing has no control about the blind texts it is an almost unorthographic life One day however a small line.

Fun Tip: Choose at least one activity to do together as a family, and plan it out for each week of the summer

Daytime Summer Activities

  • Make homemade ice cream
  • Run a lemonade/ice tea stand in your neighbourhood
  • Organize a neighbourhood garage sale
  • Go fishing
  • Experience tandem kayaking
  • Fly a kite
  • Create water balloon games
  • Collect rocks and paint them
  • Plan a picnic at the beach or park
  • Make a time capsule
  • Go bird watching
  • Build sandcastles

Evening Summer Activities

  • See a movie at the drive-in
  • Grab your sleeping bags, pitch a tent, and camp in your backyard
  • Host a kids’ board game night
  • Let your kids cook dinner one night
  • Stargaze and count the stars
  • Catch fireflies
  • Flashlight story time
  • Watch a firework show
  • Glow stick scavenger hunt
  • See the sunset at the beach
  • Play flashlight tag

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