Essential Vitamins & Minerals
Zinc for Kids: The Mighty Mineral & Why They Need It
Zinc may be known for keeping iron and steel from rusting, but did you know it’s also a superstar in your kiddo’s diet? This trace mineral, while only needed in small amounts, plays a big role in overall health and wellness.* Let’s learn more about what zinc is and why zinc is good for kids!
What is zinc?
Zinc is an essential mineral and is involved in many different body processes. It plays an important role in supporting immune and cell health.*
Zinc benefits for kids
Zinc provides two main benefits for your l’il ones:
- Immune support: Zinc is needed for the immune system to function.*
- Cell support: Zinc is needed for cell growth and division, so it’s important for kid’s growth and development.*
How much zinc do kids need?
The Daily Value (DV) of zinc is 3mg per day for children ages 1-3, and 11mg of zinc per day for children ages 4 and above. If you have any questions on how much zinc your child needs, talk to your kid’s healthcare provider.
What foods have zinc?
Zinc can be found in a variety of foods like meat, seeds, beans, and vegetables. However, zinc from plant-based food is not as easily absorbable in the body as the zinc from meat-based foods. Below is a list of foods high in zinc:
| Food | Serving Size | Amount of zinc (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Beef, flank steak, cooked | 3 ounces | 4.8 |
| Beef, ground, cooked | 3 ounces | 3.6 |
| Lambchop, cooked | 3 ounces | 2.3 |
| Ready-to-eat cereal, fortified with zinc | 1 serving | 2.2-11 |
| Pumpkin seeds, shelled | 1 ounce | 2.1 |
| Chicken thigh, stewed | 1 thigh | 1.9 |
| Sunflower seeds, shelled | 1 ounce | 1.5 |
| Cheddar cheese | 1 ounce | 1.0 |
| Chicken breast, roasted | 1 breast | 1.0 |
| Almonds | 1 ounce | 0.9 |
| Greek yogurt | 6 ounces | 0.9 |
| Feta cheese | 1 ounce | 0.8 |
| Black beans | 1/2 cup | 0.7 |
Are there zinc supplements for kids?
Yes! There are zinc supplements or multivitamins with zinc for kids and there are even delicious gummies with zinc that your kids will enjoy taking:
- L’il Critters Immune C Plus Zinc and Vitamin D: In orange, cherry, and strawberry flavors and a cute gummy bear shape, these gummies contain zinc along with vitamins C and D to provide immune and cellular support.*
- L’il Critters Gummy Vites: This daily multivitamin provides an excellent source of zinc per serving and your kiddo will be sure to enjoy the cherry, strawberry, orange, pineapple, and blueberry flavors.
- Paw Patrol Daily Multivitamin: These tasty multivitamins are shaped like your kid’s favorite Paw Patrol characters and provide an excellent source of zinc in every serving.
Zinc gummies for kids are yummy gummies!
Zinc isn’t just a valuable mineral with lots of uses in the world, it’s also a mighty mineral for health.* Zinc provides cellular and immune support for your growing one’s body.* L’il Critters Immune C Plus Zinc and Vitamin D and L’il Critters Gummy Vites are great options as a gummy supplement with zinc for kids. There are plenty of delicious options to make adding zinc to your kiddo’s day a breeze!
Brought to you by the L’il Critters™ nutrition experts.
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