You pack a lunch with fresh fruit and veggies, only to find the carrot sticks untouched at the end of the day. Dinner becomes a negotiation. Breakfast is rushed. And somehow your child decides that beige foods are the only acceptable food group for the week.

The truth is, feeding kids well isn’t always as simple as we’d like it to be. Between busy schedules, after-school activities, picky eating phases, and everyday life, many moms find themselves looking for practical ways to help support their child’s nutrition.

That’s where NOW^® Kids comes in

The Reality Behind the Lunchbox

Most parents know what a balanced meal should look like. The challenge is getting kids to eat it.

One week they love strawberries. The next week they refuse anything red. Vegetables get pushed aside, sandwiches come home half-eaten, and dinner can quickly turn into a negotiation over “just three more bites.”

No parent gets it right every single day, and that’s okay. Rather than chasing perfection, many moms focus on creating healthy habits over time. A daily multivitamin can be one part of that bigger picture, complementing nutritious meals and an active lifestyle while helping support growing kids.

Meet NOW^® Kids Kid Vits™

When it comes to supporting kids’ nutrition, convenience matters, but so does finding a product they’ll enjoy taking. That’s exactly what makes NOW^® Kids Kid Vits™ such a great fit for busy families.

Kid Vits™ Juicy Orange Chewable Tablets are formulated for children ages 4 and older and provide a comprehensive blend of essential vitamins and minerals to help support healthy growth, immune function, and overall wellness.* The easy-to-chew tablets feature a bright, citrusy orange flavor that many kids enjoy (lots of positive reviews!), making it simpler to establish a consistent daily routine. For parents looking to help fill nutritional gaps that can happen with picky eating or hectic schedules, it’s a practical addition to everyday life.

For children who prefer a different flavor profile, Kid Vits™ Berry Lemonade Chewable Tablets offer the same nutritional support in a sweet and tangy berry lemonade flavor. They contain key vitamins and minerals formulated for growing bodies and provide another delicious option for families looking to make daily supplementation easier and more enjoyable for kids.*

Kid Vits™ are sweetened with organic cane sugar and stevia with only 1g of sugar per serving, which is less than many other children’s multivitamin gummies on the market. They contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and are made without common allergens.

While Kid Vits™ are the featured favorite, the NOW Kids supplement line extends well beyond multivitamins. Parents can also explore products like BerryDophilus™ probiotic chewables to support digestive health, Kid Cal™ Chewables for calcium support, Elderberry Liquid for immune support, and a variety of other supplements designed specifically with children’s wellness in mind.* Whether your family is focused on nutrition, digestive support, or healthy development, the NOW Kids lineup offers thoughtful options for every stage.

Simple Support for Jam-Packed Schedules

Let’s face it: life with kids is busy.

School mornings blur into workdays, afternoons are filled with pickups and practices, and evenings often revolve around homework, dinner, and getting everyone to bed at a reasonable hour. In the middle of all that, worrying whether your child ate enough vegetables today can feel overwhelming.

Many parents appreciate wellness solutions that don’t add complexity to an already packed schedule. Keeping a daily multivitamin on hand is one small, manageable step that can fit seamlessly into busy family life.

Your Wallet Will Appreciate This Part

Supporting your child’s health doesn’t have to mean straining your budget. As a family- and employee-owned company, NOW has always been committed to offering the highest-quality products at the best possible prices. Right now, both NOW^® Kids Kid Vits™ Juicy Orange Chewable Tablets and NOW^® Kids Kid Vits™ Berry Lemonade Chewable Tablets are  50% off, making it an excellent time to give them a try or stock up if they’re already part of your family’s routine.

The limited-time savings provide a great opportunity to experience the quality and convenience of NOW^® Kids Kid Vits™ while enjoying significant value. If you’ve been thinking about adding a daily multivitamin to help support your child’s nutrition, this sale makes the decision even easier.

Because Raising Healthy Kids Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Every healthy lunch packed, every outdoor adventure encouraged, every doctor’s appointment kept, and every bedtime story read contributes to the bigger picture of raising healthy, happy kids.

Nutrition is no different. It’s built over months and years, not measured by one skipped vegetable or one picky-eating phase.

For many moms, NOW Kids has become a simple way to support those long-term habits. Combined with balanced meals and healthy routines, it’s an easy addition that helps families feel confident they’re doing their best for growing children. Just like all NOW supplements, the NOW Kids line is exhaustively tested from raw ingredients to finished products, ensuring they are safe, effective and that what’s on the label is what’s inside the bottle.

And with the current 50% savings on both the Juicy Orange and Berry Lemonade varieties, there’s never been a better time to see why these chewable multivitamins are becoming a favorite among health-conscious families.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 

The post Real Life, Picky Eaters, and the Multivitamin Moms Are Talking About appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

It starts in the middle of a normal day, when you’re grabbing snacks, packing lunches, or tossing something into the cart because it’s easy and your kids will actually eat it. Somewhere in that routine, you begin to notice how bright everything looks.

Not just colorful in a natural way, but intensely, almost unnaturally bright. The kind of colors that seem designed to catch your eye from across the room. Once you notice it, it becomes hard to ignore. Those same colors show up in fruit snacks, drinks, cereals, yogurts, and even foods that are marketed as simple or better-for-you options.

That’s usually when the question starts to form. Not in a dramatic way, just quietly in the background.

What exactly is making this look like that?

Artificial food dyes have been part of the food system for a long time. They’re used to enhance color, make products more visually appealing, and create consistency from one batch to the next. They don’t add flavor or nutrition, and they aren’t there for any purpose beyond appearance.

For a lot of moms, that realization is enough to pause.

If something is being added purely to make food look better, but doesn’t actually improve it in any meaningful way, it’s reasonable to start questioning how often it needs to be there.

At the same time, there’s been growing conversation around how certain artificial dyes may affect some children. While research is still ongoing and not every child reacts the same way, some studies and parent observations have suggested a possible link between certain dyes and changes in behavior, including increased hyperactivity in some kids.

Not every family notices a difference, and not every child is affected. But for many parents, it’s enough to take a closer look at what shows up regularly in their child’s diet.

Another piece that often gets attention is how these ingredients are handled outside the United States. In parts of Europe, some artificial dyes require warning labels or are used more cautiously. That doesn’t automatically make them unsafe here, but it does raise a fair question about why standards differ.

For many families, that combination of factors doesn’t lead to drastic changes. It leads to awareness.

And once that awareness is there, it naturally starts to influence small, everyday decisions.

What becomes clear fairly quickly is that artificial dyes aren’t limited to obvious treats. They show up in places you wouldn’t necessarily expect. Fruit snacks, flavored yogurts, sports drinks, cereals, packaged baked goods, and even products that appear relatively simple can all contain added coloring.

It’s not always something you notice until you start looking.

That’s why most moms who decide to make changes don’t approach it in an all-or-nothing way. Instead of trying to eliminate everything, they start with the easiest swaps, the ones that don’t disrupt daily routines or create extra stress.

Candy is often the most obvious place to begin. Bright, colorful sweets tend to rely heavily on artificial dyes, so switching to alternatives feels like a natural first step. Brands like YumEarth and SmartSweets have become popular options because many of their products use more natural coloring sources while still feeling like a treat.

Snacks tend to follow a similar pattern. Instead of traditional fruit snacks that are known for their bright colors, some families opt for simpler options like That’s it. or Stretch Island, which focus more on fruit-based ingredients. These still work for lunchboxes and quick snacks, just without as many added extras.

Drinks are another area where the shift is happening more quietly. Brightly colored beverages are easy to grab, but more parents are starting to look for alternatives that feel a little less processed. Options like Honest Kids or simply diluting juice at home can reduce how often artificial coloring shows up without making things complicated.

Even something as routine as yogurt has become part of the conversation. Choosing options from brands like Stonyfield Organic or Chobani that prioritize simpler ingredient lists can feel like an easy adjustment that doesn’t require a major change in habits.

None of these choices are about perfection. They’re simply small shifts that feel manageable in real life.

For adults, this awareness tends to show up in slightly different ways, but it’s still relevant. Artificial dyes are commonly found in energy drinks, flavored waters, and even some products that are marketed as healthier options. It’s less obvious than it is in kids’ foods, but once you start paying attention, it becomes noticeable there too.

The same general approach applies. It’s not about eliminating everything, but about being aware of what shows up regularly versus occasionally.

That distinction matters more than anything else.

Because this conversation isn’t really about restriction. It’s about understanding what’s in the foods and drinks you’re already buying and deciding what feels right for your family.

Some days will still include brightly colored treats, birthday cupcakes, and convenience foods that make life easier. That’s part of real life, and most moms aren’t trying to change that.

But in between those moments, many are choosing to make small adjustments where it feels simple.

Not because they have to.

Just because now, they know what they’re looking at.

The post Bright Colors, Big Questions: What to Know About Artificial Food Dyes appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

No school. Sleepovers. Beaches. Pools. Camps. Flip Flops. Barbecues. Lemonade. Sunscreen. Sand castles. Warm air. Sun. Fun. Memories. Summer is one of the best seasons of the year and it’s just around the corner! Whether you have the summer filled with fun vacation plans or just plan on spending time with your kids at home there is no way you can go wrong.  Or so you thought…

During this fabulous time of the year it is often hard to stick to a healthy lifestyle. This seems strange since summer is a perfect time for fruit and lighter meals. Even so, sometimes it’s hard to say no to yummy chips and dip, barbecue and sweet treats. And it’s not only a challenge to make sure you stay on track, but since your kids may not always be with you, it’s hard to keep track of what they eat too. So when you are invited to a birthday, barbecue or pool party etc., go ahead, be the parent that brings the delicious and nutritious food and beverage. Also, be sure those summer cocktails aren’t wracking up your calorie count by looking for healthier versions and substitutes.

Here are a few of our summer secrets to help make sure you and your family stay healthy!

Ice, ice baby! If you and your kids have a favorite hot beverage, instead of turning to sugary soda, just add ice to your favorite and hopefully healthier drink. Ice is also great for making shaved ice, which is a perfect alternative for ice cream. Iced tea, iced coffee, frozen hot chocolate or low-fat chocolate milk.

Smoothies are your best friends! Smoothies are one of the best ways to satisfy hunger and a sweet tooth at the same time. The possible ingredient list is endless…from milk to juice to fresh fruit to honey to Greek yogurt. These are a great addition to breakfast or a great midday snack and kids love them!

Hummus! Hummus is a perfect alternative to chips and dip, whether its store bought or homemade it is healthier than most other dips and super yummy. The best thing about this is that if you make your own, you can create your own flavors; all it requires is garbanzo beans, a food processor (or blender), olive oil, seasoning (garlic, pepper, cumin), lemon juice and Tahini. The flavor options are endless… avocado, sun-dried tomato, jalapeño, black olive and roasted red pepper to name a few.

Eat fresh fruit! With summer comes all different kinds of fruits in season: peaches, apricots, blackberries, boysenberries, honeydew, cantaloupe plus many more, check out a full list at http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/whats-in-season-summer. There are so many great ways to use these fruits, add them your salads, make grilled peaches for dessert, make a fruit glaze for your meat, make fruit salad or add it to your drinks!

Substitute! A great way to make dishes healthier is to substitute the unhealthy ingredients for healthy ingredients. For example potato salad calls for mayonnaise so go ahead and switch that out with Greek yogurt. Pinterest is a great tool for finding healthier substitutions. So, the next time you are invited to a summer BBQ and you need to bring something, look at the ingredients and see what you can do to make it healthier. There is almost always something that can be substituted!

Here’s a great summer salad recipe to get you started! Click on the image below.

Happy Summer!

The post Summer Secrets for Health appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

It goes without saying that a nutritious diet is essential for anyone looking to get in shape, lose weight, or simply improve their overall health. Eating patterns that give your body enough of the vitamins and minerals it needs and stay within your recommended daily calorie intake have been proven to boost overall health and well-being. Anyone can implement a more healthful diet into their lifestyles with some time and effort.

The one of the biggest obstacles, however, to eating better is finding healthy foods and recipes that are not chocked full of substances considered more harmful to your health like saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugar. If a recipe is high in those substances or too calorie-dense, you should think twice. It can also be discouraging when you consider giving up your favorite dishes.

Even you come across a delicious recipe that is not necessarily healthful, though, there are plenty of cooking substitutes to use in place of other ingredients. Here are some of the most common substation items for baking or cooking recipes:

1.  Whole Wheat White Flour – Use whole wheat flour when baking instead of all-purpose white flour that has been processed. Whole wheat flour, and whole grains in general, have more fiber that will help to keep you full and reduce cravings throughout the day. Whole grains are also more nutritious.

2.  Unsweetened Applesauce – When a recipe calls for sugar, try using unsweetened applesauce instead. Using applesauce for baked goods like bread and muffins will cut down on saturated fat and calories while increasing the fiber content. You can also try any fruit puree or some natural sweeteners like honey, fruit juice concentrate, or Stevia instead of granulated sugar.

3.  Plain Greek Yogurt – Mayonnaise and sour cream are loaded with calories and saturated fat. Try low-fat or non-fat plain Greek yogurt in their place. Greek yogurt contains healthful probiotics for your gut and lots of protein. Be sure to check the labels, though, because many kinds of Greek yogurt are full of added sugars.

4.  Avocado and Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Try using avocado in place of either oil or butter. Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats, and these types of fats have been shown to reduce the risk for heart disease and help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Extra-virgin olive oil is also a healthier substitute for other types of cooking oils. Extra-virgin olive oil can be used for sautéing, and it can serve as a great alternative for creamy salad dressings that are high in saturated fat.

5.  Ground Turkey – Red meats like beef and pork are high in fat content and have been linked to all kinds of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Try using ground turkey instead or consider vegetarian substitutions like tofu or vegetarian ground beef crumbles.

When looking at recipes, either online or ones given to you, it is always important to look at their nutrition facts first. If they are not provided, there are several recipe analyzers that can provide this information. Moreover, using more healthful cooking substitutes can help you eat better and still enjoy your favorite food combinations.

The post Healthy Cooking Substitutes appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Many parents struggle with the never-ending task of wanting their kids to grow up strong and healthy, so we often encourage our children to eat their vegetables. As a daddy to six healthy children – two toddlers and four in their twenties – with one more on the way, I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that are sure to get your kids eating their veggies!

Lead by Example: One of the easiest things you can do when expanding your child’s palate to include vegetables is to lead by example. Eat vegetables often yourself, so your child can see it’s perfectly normal and that they are yummy too. Incorporating healthy servings of veggies into every meal is important, but including them at snack time is also key. Try to get a feel for which vegetables your child likes best and start there – then grow their palate over time.

Make Them Kid Friendly: There are plenty of ways you can make vegetables kid friendly. I suggest giving them a low-fat ranch dip for their snack-time veggies, encouraging them to make toothpick-veggie creations like dinosaurs and robots or making a dish like spinach dip that’s often perceived as tastier than a serving of steamed vegetables.

Start Young: It’s important to feed your child vegetables starting at a young age. There are plenty of blended baby food vegetable options, but don’t stop there. As your child begins to eat solid foods offer them vegetables often. Starting young will help establish the norm of eating healthy, and as your child grows up eating veggies it will become a part of their foundation and lifestyle.

Have a Garden: Creating a garden is a great way to get your child involved in growing and harvesting vegetables. It doesn’t have to be a big garden by any means; you could pick 2 or 3 veggies to grow on a small deck (if it gets consistent sunlight). If you’re lucky enough to have a yard, I highly encourage having a garden. You and your child, together, can water the garden daily and watch it grow. Your child will be excited when you finally get to harvest some of the food you’ve worked so hard to grow.

Encouraging your children to eat vegetables everyday is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It might be tricky to jump in and create a habit out of it, but trust me – it’s worth it! 

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 6, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gear for dads, and the Daddyscrubs.com blog where he covers topics about parenting and the latest baby and kids gear, all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post How to Get Your Kids to Eat Their Vegetables appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Like a lot of moms I spend countless minutes standing in the vitamin isle at the local drug store contemplating which vitamins are best for my kids, which ones do they really need and which ones do my husband and I need, but always
walk away unsure and frustrated. In a perfect world their would be a super vitamin that would work for everyone. Unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world and you, your kiddos and your husband all have different needs. To help make sure everyone is getting what they need, we have designed a little cheat sheet:

LITTLE ONES: Need a Daily Multivitamin! While little ones should be getting enough vitamins and minerals through a well balanced diet, supplements can help out with finicky eaters, particularly active kids who play sports, kids on a vegetarian or dairy free diet and kids with chronic medical conditions such as asthma or digestive problems.

• Vitamin A promotes normal growth and development; tissue and bone repair; and healthy skin, eyes, and immune responses. Good sources include milk, cheese, eggs, and yellowto- orange vegetables like carrots, yams, and squash.
• Vitamin B the family of B vitamins — B2, B3, B6, and B12 — aid metabolism, energy production, and healthy circulatory and nervous systems. Good sources include meat, chicken, fish, nuts, eggs, milk, cheese, beans, and soybeans.
• Vitamin C promotes healthy muscles, connective tissue, and skin. Good sources include citrus fruit, strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes, and green vegetables like broccoli.
•  Vitamin D promotes bone and tooth formation and helps the body absorb calcium. Good sources include milk, cheese, and yogurt (especially fortified dairy products), egg yolks, and fish oil.
• Calcium helps build strong bones as a child grows. Good sources include milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, and calcium-fortified orange juice.
• Iron builds muscle and is essential to healthy red blood cells. Iron deficiency is a risk in adolescence, especially for girls once they begin to menstruate. Good sources include beef and other red meats, turkey, pork, spinach, beans, and prunes.

PRE-TEENS AND TEENS: Need CALCIUM! They need this for building a strong skeleton, but kids usually get far less than the 1,300 mg of calcium they need, according to experts. BEST WAY TO GET IT: Food or Supplements? FOOD! The calcium in cheese, milk, yogurts and many dark leafy greens help build more bone mass than vitamins. Since not all kids are milk drinkers (or green eaters), find a way to be creative… get string cheese or low-fat Greek yogurt mixed with fruit and/or honey. They’ll love the sweet taste!

YOU AND YOUR HUBBY: Need VITAMIN D! Study after study shows that the “sunlight” vitamin can lower the risk of several cancers by as much as 50% and lower the risk of death from ANY cause, yet 74% of all Americans don’t get enough of it. So put on your SPF and catch some rays! BEST WAY TO GET IT: Food or Supplements? SUPPLEMENTS! It’s very hard to find the 1,000 IU’s per day experts are now recommending from food, and if you live in a Northern state you may not get enough sun exposure (your skin makes Vitamin D from sunlight). Look for D3, that’s what your skin makes from the sun.

The post The Best Vitamins for You and Your Family appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.