Child's play

Having constantly developing bodies and oftentimes having picky palates make children good candidates for a multivitamin. However, their different needs and smaller size make choosing one arguably more difficult. Good thing the guidelines are straightforward. First of all, Susan Kleiner, PhD, RD, recommends supplementing with only 100 percent of the Daily Value and making sure that you're getting in all the major vitamins and minerals. Look for multis that have iron, calcium, magnesium and B complex vitamins all of which are important to a child's growth and development.

Then comes the most important aspect: finding a pill your child will actually take. Says Janet Little, RD: "You can buy the best children's multiple in the world, but if you're fighting your kid every day to take it, then that's probably not the best formula for him," she says.

And finally, relax. "Don't panic if your kid won't take a supplement," Kleiner concludes. Just offer a variety of nutritious foods.

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