From gummies to sprays – we test three vitamin supplements for fussy kids
About 16 per cent of youngsters take supplements.
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Give your fussy kids vitamins to make up for them refusing fruit and veg
But a new report shows some gummies contain more sugar than kids' favourite Haribo sweets.
Today I look at ways to get vitamins into your children without dosing them up on sugar too . . .
Gummies
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Bassetts makes various kids' vitamins
Credit: Bassetts
BASSETTS makes various kids' vitamins.
Its Soft & Chewy Multivitamin gummies in summer berries flavour are for ages 12 to 18 – perfect for those that may not be eating their five a day.
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They contain nutrients to support teenagers' health, including vitamins C and D to aid the immune system, and B2 and B12 to help reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Although these don't contain sugar they do have sweeteners – maltitol, sorbitol and sucralose – which are said to be safe for children.
These aren't for vegetarians as they contain gelatine which comes from cows but they taste great with a berry flavour.
Summer Berries gummies, 30 for £7.
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Powder
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Junior Revive is a supplement that contains 12 vitamins and six minerals
Credit: Supplied
JUNIOR REVIVE is a supplement that contains 12 vitamins and six minerals.
It has four fruit and vegetable powders, beta glucans (a fibre that can stimulate the immune system), live friendly bacteria (for gut health) and choline (a nutrient similar to B vitamins).
Top 5 Vitamins for Beautiful Hair
All these support a child's immunity, energy and mental performance.
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This is designed for children over four and up to 12 and comes in little sachets.
You simply add one sachet to 100ml of water or into a smoothie, yoghurt or juice. I love the fact this is unflavoured and is a great all-rounder.
Because it has no flavour there are no sweeteners either. I love this.
From £14.92 for a box of 20 or 75p a sachet.
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Spray
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Oral sprays feature tiny droplets that absorb quickly into your mouth
Credit: Supplied
ORAL sprays feature tiny droplets that absorb quickly into your mouth and then directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system.
BetterYou Multivitamin kids' oral spray has 14 essential vitamins and is free from sugar, gluten artificial colours and additives. It contains the full spectrum of B vitamins, including folic acid, combined with vitamin A, vitamin C, K1 and vitamin D.
Suitable for youngsters aged over one year.
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Despite having no sugar this 'chocolate and marshmallow' flavour (which my kid loved) is very, very sweet.
This is due to the sweetener xylitol which is generally considered safe for children when used in moderation and comes from plant fibres.
Read more on the Irish Sun
The 25ml bottle contains a 32-day supply and you need to have four sprays a day.
Starts at £8.46.
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- The Irish Sun
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The Irish Sun
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- The Irish Sun
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Irish Examiner
17-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Bernard O'Shea: Five things I've learned about counting calories
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It wasn't the flavours. It was the realisation that I was doing all this — the tracking, the measuring, the boiled eggs — for one thing: to feel good in my own skin. And maybe fit back into those jeans with the button that now looks like an explosive hazard. Now we have influencers, smartwatches, and people online with abs so sharp they could cut the dishes. And in fairness, some of them are helpful. But most of them live on açai bowls and filtered light. The science suggests that focusing solely on weight loss can lead to burnout. Focusing on health — including strength, sleep, and energy — yields better long-term results. That's what I'm aiming for now. Not a number. Just being able to put on socks without making noises that sound like I'm re-enacting Braveheart. Ultimately, calories are just numbers. They don't define your worth. You are not a spreadsheet. You are a full-fat, richly marbled, occasionally crumbling, gloriously messy human being. Just try not to eat a full Viennetta in one sitting. Counting calories didn't make me a better person. But it did make me more aware. I still have days where I eat like I've just come back from an Arctic exploration, but at least now I know how many sins are in the biscuits. And to whoever invented the phrase 'empty calories' — have you tasted them? They are delicious.
