10 Tips to Get Your Child to Actually Take Their Nutrition Supplement
Supplements, supplements, supplements... we are sure you’ve all struggled at some point to get your child to take them. Whether the nutrition supplement comes in the form of a capsule, liquid, powder, or tablet it can be a challenge. Unless they come as a chewable gummy it can be tricky to get them to open up wide. Learning to swallow pills tends to be effective, but unless your child is old enough to do so, you may be at a loss. Add on the extra challenge of bulky or fishy tasting supplements (omega-3’s anyone?) and you may feel totally lost. We’re here to share 10 tips to take some of that stress off your back. Let’s dive in!
TOP TIPS:
Teach them about their vitamins:
To start, try explaining to your child why they should take what you’re offering. If you explain the benefits of the supplement and how it can help their body they may be more inclined to try. Of course, this is just a start and it won’t work for everyone, so follow along for more tips.
2. Teach them about their vitamins:
To start, try explaining to your child why they should take what you’re offering. If you explain the benefits of the supplement and how it can help their body they may be more inclined to try. Of course, this is just a start and it won’t work for everyone, so follow along for more tips.
3. Make it a game:
Try using a points or reward system to keep your kids on track. Everyone loves a good sticker competition or something that highly motivates your child. Keeping your child busy on a challenge may take their mind away from the focus of the supplement they are taking.
4. Take advantage of those fun colours:
For a supplement like Elderberry (strong immunity!!) take advantage of its bright natural colour. Fill up a little medicine cup with the colourful stuff, and let your child have their fun. Their tongue will probably turn that colour which can be funny.
5. Mix them with something thick like applesauce, yogurt or maple syrup:
If the above tips still aren't working, try mixing supplements into other foods your child already likes. If your child is picky about the consistency of a liquid or powder supplement, try mixing it with thicker foods they enjoy like applesauce or yogurt to mask the taste. The thicker the food the less likely they will taste the supplement.
*Make sure that if it’s an iron supplement to avoid mixing with yogurt as the calcium it in will reduce iron absorption*
6. Mix them with smoothies:
For something like Omega-3’s, the fishy aftertaste can be a big turn off to children. Try adding it to smoothies. Be sure to first blend the smoothie as normal and then pop the supplement in at the last minute and pulse quickly. This keeps the supplement in tack and makes sure your child still gains the benefits.
7. Make homemade sorbet:
Try mixing frozen fruit (citrus works well - lemon and lime anyone?) into a thick sorbet. The strong citrus flavour can get rid of that unpleasant taste and help your child get the supplements they need.
8. Mix them in with nut butter:
Again, for something like omega-3’s, that fishiness can really be hard to shake. Try mixing with natural peanut or almond butter as these have an oily texture to begin with. Simply stir the liquid in and serve!
9. Mix supplements with their favourite sauce:
For something on the more savory side... try adding liquid supplements into common sauces like ketchup. The strong taste might just be enough to overpower the taste of the supplement.
10. Find a kid-friendly way to serve it:
Sometimes all you need is a fun character to get your child on board. If your child is having trouble drinking liquid supplements from a cup, try using a syringe for a quick and painless method. Check out this frog syringe to give your children their liquid supplements!
Bottom Line
If all else fails, reach out to your Registered Dietitian or Pediatrician.
We hope some of the tips above will help ease some stress around your kiddo and their supplements. However, If your child still isn’t being receptive you can always reach out to your pediatric dietitian or Pediatrician and work with them one-on-one to find the best solutions for your child’s needs.
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