Despite parents’ attempt to provide healthy foods, teenagers are one group at risk of not getting enough nutrients. They tend to eat a higher proportion of their food away from their homes, including junk foods and fast food without enough fruits, veggies and other essential nutrients.
Plus, they also tend to skip meals, particularly breakfast, always hustling every morning to go to school. So, when your teen’s eating habits are not giving them the right nourishment, then you can rely on the best multivitamin supplements to fill in any gaps.
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However, some multivitamins are better than others. Here are the 15 best multivitamin for teens in the market today.
15 Best Multivitamin For Teens 2019
Taking the top spot is the Naturelo Whole Food Multivitamin. Being a bestseller and Amazon’s Choice for “Teen Vitamins”, this supplement is specifically made for teenage girls and boys, aged 12 – 18. It contains a blend of pure ingredients, organic veggies, and fruits such as spinach, blueberry, pomegranate, kale, blueberry and carrot that are rich in vitamins and phytonutrients.
This supplement is carefully crafted to ensure that each tablet are free of common allergens such as peanuts, corn, dairy, caffeine, yeast, gluten, and soy. Also, Naturelo never used GMOs as well as any preservatives, stabilizers, sweeteners and artificial colors, making it one of the safest out there.
The supplement includes natural vitamins C, A, D3, K2, E, B-Complex (Biotin, B12, B6, Folate) and essential minerals including iodine, selenium, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. In addition, capsules are made of vegetable cellulose for extra fiber that supports good digestion. Also, it’s the capsule ingredients come in powder form so that they dissolve faster and get absorbed by the body sooner.
RiteStart Kids & Teens takes daily nutritional support a step further and provides the essential minerals and vitamins required for proper teen growth and overall health. It contains the 22 essential vitamins and minerals, including antioxidant vitamins E, C, and A, that helps support healthy vision, healthy muscle function, and strong bones.Â
In addition, this multivitamins have a quality formula called 4Life Transfer Factor Tri-Factor Formula that supports the immune system. The patent-protected ingredient has been showed to boost NK or Natural Killer immune cell function by at least 283 percent in independent tests.
Its chewable tablets come in 2 delicious flavors— citrus cream and sour apple. Furthermore, this multivitamin supplement is free of sweeteners, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors.
YUM-V’s is a family-owned manufacturer, so they understand the precise nutritional needs that each stage of life requires. And this Multivitamin Jellies or Gummies for Teens provide your kids 100 percent of the recommended daily amounts of Zinc, Iodine, Niacin, Vitamin A, E, D, C, B12, B6, Biotin, Folate, and Pantothenic Acid.
YUM-V’s uses natural and high-quality ingredients for their supplement and maintain a nut-free production facility in order to reduce the risk of allergies. The multivitamin has a vegetarian non-GMO formula and is free of gelatin, gluten, and contains no preservatives and artificial colors and flavors.
What’s more, is that these delicious and mouthwatering fruit flavored jellies are made from pectin that is naturally obtained from berry fruits. This makes the jellies super soft, easy to chew and will not stick to the teeth.
SmartyPants know that getting your kids to eat healthy, meaning more veggies and fruits, can sometimes be a chore. So, they formulate a product that delivers all essential nutrients in a delicious and fun format that your teens will surely love.
These easy-to-eat gummies contains 13 nutrients including the vitamin D3 for good bone and improving immune health, vitamin B12 for energy production, as well as omega-3 essential fatty acids that are sustainably obtained from wild small fish to increase focus and concentration. Its formula blend is based on the recommendations from their Scientific Advisory Board, the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Science and current studies and research on dietary patterns in order to ensure that it fills all nutritional gaps.
In addition, the supplement does not contain artificial flavors, synthetic colors, and sweeteners. They use all-natural flavors that are derived from veggies, fruits, spices and/or herbs in order to make the gummies extra appealing and yummy. It is also non-GMO, free of gluten and 8 of the most common allergens, namely tree nut allergens, fish allergens, wheat, peanuts, soy, wheat, shellfish, eggs, and milk.
A multivitamin supplement specifically made for teenage boys, the ONE A DAY For Him VitaCraves are specially formulated to support physical energy, immune health, and bone health by converting food to fuel in a convenient chewy gummy form. The supplement contains over 10 key essential nutrients such as vitamins D, E, C, B12, B6, K and A, Calcium Biotin, Folic Acid, and Niacin.
The supplement is also free of soy allergens, artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup for safety. The gummies are easy to chew and swallow and virtually tasteless. Your teenage boy is required to take at least two gummies a day for complete nutrition. Also, this supplement comes in a compact bottle which can be easily carried in a bag.
If ONE A DAY has a multivitamin supplement specifically made for teen boys, then they also have one for teen girls. The ONE A DAY For Her VitaCraves are chewable multivitamins in a tangy fruit flavor.
Formulated to increase physical energy, improve bone health and immune system, this supplement contains Vitamin D, A, C, E, B6, B12, Calcium, Biotin, Folic Acid, and Niacin. Like the previous supplement, this one is also free of soy allergens, artificial sweeteners, and high fructose corn syrup and should be taken 2 times a day.
The Rainbow Light Brain and Focus is a multivitamin supplement that is specially designed to improve the brain function and increase focus and concentration for both teens and adults. It comes in easy-to-swallow tablets which help fill in the gaps in the nutrition of teen and adult diet, with particular focus on the essential nutrients required for rapid brain growth and development in young bodies.
The supplement also helps provides stress and immune support along with probiotics and enzymes in order to aid proper digestion. Dosage can be as few as a single table or 3 tabs depending on the needs of every person. Botanical ingredients and L-theanine are included in the formula in order to provide extra concentration and improved brain function. This multivitamin is sourced from potent plant sources like beets, dandelion, spinach, kale, and spirulina.
You can rest assured that the product labels are accurately and transparently portray the contents and that any allergens are also noted clearly on the label. In addition, this formula contains no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and sweeteners that may be harmful to your teenagers.
The Daily Total One from Country Life is the answer for simple everyday nutrition. This once a day multivitamin supplement includes a full spectrum of digestive enzyme blend and Coenzyme B-vitamins to support energy metabolism and has been specifically prepared to be iron-free.
Supports a vegetarian lifestyle, this supplement is 100 percent Vegetarian Certified by the AVA and is Gluten Certification provided by the GFCO.org. In addition, each tablet contains no artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors, preservatives, milk and wheat and is also non-GMO.
Another multivitamin made specifically for teenage girls, the GNC Milestones multivitamins are suitable for girls age 12 – 17 and helps aid in the development of healthy skin, hair, bone, and immunity.
Its tablet has fruity extracts including cranberries, blueberries, and apple, living a delicious aftertaste. The supplement contains essential vitamins K, B12, B, B3, B2, B1, C, D, A, and E as well as pantothenic acid, zinc, iodine, chromium, molybdenum, selenium, manganese, magnesium, copper, iron, and calcium. In addition, it also contains 5 mg of collagen per tablet, along with Zeaxanthin, Silica, and Lutein for optimum skin care.
This vitamin is chewy and requires teen girls to take at least 2 tabs, during breakfast and dinner in order to get a better result and maintain overall health.
The counterpart of the previous multivitamin supplement, this one is specifically formulated for the needs of teenage boys. It includes all the essential vitamins mentioned previously, in addition to chloride and potassium which is not provided in the supplement for girls.
This is because boys lose a lot of nutrients when working out or playing, and the added nutrients can help in restoring lost energy and nutrients. The tablets also helping good muscle development, maintaining healthy skin, strengthening the bones and boosting immunity in order to prevent illness.
This multivitamin is also dairy-free and contains no artificial colors and flavors. The supplement comes in 120 caplets that are good for a 2 month supply.
The Solgar Kangavites multivitamin is developed especially for kids and teens in order to provide the critical nutrition that they need during their growing years. Keeping your teen’s taste in mind, this multivitamin comes in delicious natural berry flavor and has only 1 gram of added sugar per serving.
It contains essential vitamins such as iodine, selenium, chromium, copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium, biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, beta carotene, vitamin E, D, C, A and essential B-complex.
This easy to chew tablets are certified gluten-free, and contains no preservatives, artificial flavors, yeast, dairy, and wheat, although it contains soy extract. Your teen can take one tab in the morning and another in the evening for best results.
Formulated by a mother concerned about the quality of teenager snacks and school lunches, the MegaFood AlphaTeen is a 100 percent whole food based multivitamin supplement that contains no artificial flavors, colorings, sweeteners, fractionated oils, waxes, and preservatives.
Its formula blend has a balanced assortment of more than 24 essential vitamins and minerals as well as immune and growth supporting antioxidants. Being a whole food-based multivitamin, it utilizes a colorful assortment of fresh raw foods including organs, carrots, cranberries, broccoli, cabbage, brown rice, and nutritional yeast to create a nutrient-rich supplement that is easy to digest and absorb.
This supplement is Kosher certified so it upholds quality and purity. It is also tested for over 125 herbicides and pesticides including the common glyphosate residue to ensure that this supplement is safe for your kids. Also, it is non-GMO and free of dairy and soy. Lastly, it has a vegetarian seal, so it is suitable for those on a traditional vegetarian diet.
Thorne is a trusted company and recommended by US National Teams, health care practitioners and families all over the world. This multivitamin is formulated for both adult and kids to fill in any nutrient gaps.
This supplement is sourced from natural and exceptional ingredients to ensure better digestibility, absorption, and potency for better results and overall health. Designed for optimal absorption, this supplement is required to be taken two times a day for better results.
It contains effective ingredients including vitamin, A, C, E, B6, 12, K2 and K1, Riboflavin Niacin, Manganese, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iodine, Magnesium, Chromium, Molybdenum 2,000 IU o vitamin D3 for optimum calcium absorption and active methyl-folate. In addition, this multivitamin supplement is made of the purest ingredients possible without gluten and other major allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, and eggs as well as shellfish, fish, yeast, soy and dairy.
This food-based formula from Rainbow Light has been crafted especially with the nutritional requirement of young people in mind. The supplement contains a blend of digestive enzymes and herbs that also helps in improving digestion with the inclusion of probiotics.
This supplement formula contains essential minerals and vitamins including vitamin C, D3, A, K, and choline, bioflavonoids, and biotin that not only fill nutritional gaps of finicky eaters but also promote good health of hair, nails, teeth, and bones. It also includes mixed carotenoids and DermaComplex Herbal Blend of red clover, yellow dock, burdock, stinging nettle, dandelion, ginger, carrot, chaste tree and Oregon grape that is beneficial in clearing various skin ailments like acne breakouts that usually affects teenagers.
Being a preferred brand among people with allergies and vegan, this multivitamin is gluten-free and contains no artificial additives, wheat, sugar, yeast, shellfish, fish, and dairy. Plus, it can also be taken on an empty stomach so it is suitable for the hectic schedules of teens.
This supplement has been carefully developed and formulated to contain the right proportions of minerals, vitamins and trace elements. Specially formulated for teenagers, it has EZ swallow tablets which are coated in a natural vanilla flavor for a sweet aftertaste and is smaller than standard adult tablets.
This supplement provides more than 30 vitamins and minerals in bioavailable forms such as the bioactive form of folate called Metafolin as well as vitamins E, D, C, B6, A, riboflavin, choline, potassium, calcium, and manganese. Each bottle contains a total of 180 tablets which should last you for a long time.
What You Need To Look For In the Best Multivitamin For Teens?
So, when choosing the best multivitamin for your teen, here are some of the factors that you need to consider.
- Nutritional Blend
A good multivitamin supplement should include:
- CALCIUM: A healthy bone growth is necessary during teenage. This is what decides how their skeletal structure will remain in their later life.
- VITAMIN D: Consumption of calcium is actually useless if the body does not have enough vitamin D which absorb calcium from diet. If your teen is vitamin D deficient then there’s a high chance of deficient bone mineralization and soft bones prone to fractures.
- VITAMIN C: To ensure that your teen develops a strong immunity and keep flu and common cold as far as possible, it is crucial that you offer them good amounts of vitamin C.
- IRON: Teenagers need enough iron in order to increase blood volume and build muscle mass. Teen girls, in particular, require more iron in order to make up for blood loss during their menstrual cycle.
- ZINC: Although there are some genetic factors at play, zinc helps your kids grow taller. Also, it does other wonders such as reducing acne outbursts which are common in teenage years.
- OMEGA-3: Studies revealed that insufficient intake of Omega 3 may lead to respiratory problems and compromised pulmonary functions. Low levels of Omega-3 also cause reduced concentration and focus on teenagers.
In addition, you also need to keep an eye on any ingredients that may cause allergic reactions. If there’s a history of allergies in your family, then make sure to read the label carefully before buying a multivitamin.
- Look For the USP Verified Symbol
There are some multivitamins that might not have the nutrients amounts listed on the label or may contain contaminants. You can minimize such risks by choosing brands which display the US Pharmacopeia seal on their labels.
The USP-verified seal shows that these supplements provide the right amount of nutrients, bioavailable, have been tested, and don’t have contaminants.
And if you live in a different country, then you can look for a similar quality seal in order to reduce the risk.
- Harmful Additives
Be careful of multivitamins that contain sweeteners, coloring, binding agents, preservatives and artificial flavors. These additives may contain potential toxicity and put your teens at risk.
- RDA or Recommended Daily Allowances
Check every single ingredient to make sure that it falls under the UL or Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for teens as set by the Food and Nutrition Board. An overdose can cause unwanted side effects on your teens. For instance, an overdose in vitamin A can cause irritability, nausea, and fatigue.
How Much Do Teens Need Of Each Mineral And Vitamin?
The ultimate goal of a multivitamin supplement is to increase the levels of minerals and vitamins in your bloodstream so that they can reach the organs and cells that require them. Each nutrient has this optimal range for effective functioning of the body.
If teenagers have too little of a specific nutrient, then they may suffer a deficiency disease. However, they take too much, then they might develop unwanted side effects including nausea and diarrhea.Â
For the optimum range of each mineral and vitamins, here is a complete table published by the National Academy of Sciences.
Nutrient |
Unit |
RDA For Girls (14 – 18 Years Of Age) |
RDA For Boys (14 – 18 Years Of Age) |
Vitamin A |
mcg |
700 |
900 |
Vitamin C |
mg |
65 |
75 |
Vitamin D |
mcg |
15 |
15 |
Vitamin E |
mg |
15 |
15 |
Vitamin K |
mcg |
75 |
75 |
Thiamin |
mg |
1 |
1.2 |
Riboflavin |
mg |
1 |
1.3 |
Niacin |
mg |
14 |
16 |
Vitamin B6 |
mg |
1.2 |
1.3 |
Folate |
mcg |
400 |
400 |
Vitamin B12 |
mcg |
2.4 |
2.4 |
Pant. Acid |
mg |
5 |
5 |
Biotin |
mcg |
25 |
25 |
Calcium |
mg |
1300 |
1300 |
Choline |
mg |
400 |
550 |
Chromium |
mcg |
24 |
35 |
Copper |
mcg |
890 |
890 |
Iodine |
mcg |
150 |
150 |
Iron |
mg |
15 |
11 |
Manganese |
mg |
1.6 |
2.2 |
Magnesium |
mg |
360 |
410 |
Molybdenum |
mcg |
43 |
43 |
Phosphorus |
mg |
1250 |
1250 |
Potassium |
g |
4.7 |
4.7 |
Selenium |
mcg |
55 |
55 |
Sodium |
g |
1.5 |
1.5 |
Zinc |
mg |
9 |
11 |
Conclusion
A teenager that usually skips healthy meals and go with processed foods can ultimately take a toll on their mind and body. There could not be a more significant stage of life than the teenage years when nutritional needs are high. So, make sure that you get only the best multivitamin for your teenager to fill in any nutritional gap.