It is hard to get kids to eat right, even though this is the most important thing that they can do for their bodies. Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in a child’s development, not just for a healthy body but for a healthy mind as well. Vitamin B12 is directly linked to a healthy nervous system and brain function. It is also responsible for the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is also indicated in healthy heart function. A diet rich in vitamin B12 can be snuck in without them ever even knowing it.
Vitamin B12 Naturally Found in Foods
Animal products are the only way to get natural Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is synthesized naturally by bacteria found in the stomach of all animals, plants can not synthesize Vitamin B12, so although it is important to eat vegetables, animal products should also be present.
There are fun natural foods that contain vitamin B12. Ice cream is a great example of natural foods containing vitamin B12. Ice cream is made from milk and cream which comes from cows which are animals that produce this key vitamin. A dose of ice cream once a week will keep that vitamin B12 up to par. Milk, chocolate milk, real milk chocolate all sound options for sneaking in the vitamin B12, of course everything should be tempered with common sense, obviously eating milk chocolate and drinking chocolate milk at every meal is not healthy.
Cheeseburgers, high in Vitamin B12, any kind of meat really will deliver a good pat of the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of Vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 Fortified Foods and Supplements
Breakfast cereal is usually fortified with Vitamin B12, and not just the stuff kids do not want to eat but the stuff the kids beg for at the grocery store. Almost all breakfast cereal is fortified with vitamin B12. Look for low sugar options. Breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin B12 for kids.
There is also vitamin waters that are fortified with vitamin B12 that the kids may like, but the Vitamin B12 content is only around ten percent of the RDA. If all else fails it is better than nothing.
Most daily supplements that are made for kids usually will contain one hundred percent of the RDA for vitamin B12. There is some question as to how effective these supplements are and whether they are absorbed correctly or not. The best option for a vitamin B12 supplement would be drops as opposed to the popular gummie vitamins or chewable.
Vitamin B12 can be found in a host of food sources and it is the best possible way to absorb the vitamin, if the child just will not eat the foods that are rich in vitamin B12, then supplements will be the only choice. This key component to a healthy body and mind should be offered in any form that will be accepted. If a vitamin B12 deficiency is suspected a simple blood test at the doctors office can determine if there are proper levels present.