How to Make Gummy Vitamins

I receive numerous inquiries about how I encourage my children to take vitamins. While my kids willingly consume their fish oil, probiotics, and magnesium without any issues, it made me contemplate.

I decided to merge one of their beloved natural snacks (homemade gummy bears) with vitamins. The outcome is these nutritious, gut-boosting, and kid-friendly multivitamin gummies.

Why We Need Vitamins

In the past, a well-rounded diet low in processed foods and added sugars sufficed to obtain the necessary nutrients. However, the current scenario is more complex. Unless you are cultivating everything you eat in extremely nutrient-rich soil (or purchasing from someone who does), food no longer contains the essential nutrients it once did.

Indeed, fruits and vegetables now have less than 50% of the essential vitamins and minerals they previously had. Additionally, some nutrients are no longer present in the American food supply. These nutrients are crucial for bolstering our immune system, guarding against heart disease, and promoting overall well-being.

As a mother, I am more focused on providing targeted nutrition to my children. We obtain vitamin D from sunlight and vitamin A from fish oil. My kids also enjoy consuming healthy, non-GMO, and gluten-free vitamin supplements (without added sugar!) like this one. Incorporating an extra nutrient boost from homemade gummy vitamins is a fun way to enhance their daily nutrition!

Gut Soothing Gelatin

These gummies rely on gelatin for their consistency. Not only is gelatin a rich source of collagen, but it also promotes healthier hair, skin, and nails. Moreover, gelatin plays a significant role in maintaining optimal gut health. As Hippocrates purportedly stated many years ago, “All disease begins in the gut.” Science continues to affirm the critical importance of gut health for overall well-being!

A healthy gut offers advantages such as immune support and improved mental health.

One piece of advice: If your children are not regularly consuming bone broth (which they should be!), introduce these gummies gradually and limit the quantity initially. Their digestive systems may require some time to adjust, or they might experience mild loose stools. Gelatin has a soothing effect on the digestive tract.

Customize Your Gummy Vitamins

You can incorporate various vitamins and nutrients based on your preferences. It is important to note that these gummies will not provide a comprehensive array of nutrients like pre-made dietary supplements or prenatal vitamins. Additionally, certain oil-based vitamins, such as vitamin E and fish oil, may not blend well.

By crafting your own chewable vitamins, you can avoid the sugar alcohols, additives, and corn syrup sweeteners present in many gummy supplements.

The possibilities are endless, but here are some combinations I have experimented with so far. You can create different fruit flavors by altering the juice:

Include vitamin C Powder and utilize lemon juice to produce sour vitamin C gummies for immune health.

Integrate probiotics with a fresh juice foundation to craft GAPS-friendly gummy vitamins.

Utilize homemade elderberry syrup as a base to create flu-fighting chewable vitamins.

Add Natural Calm for chewable magnesium vitamins.

Create regular flavors and mold them into adorable shapes for gummy snacks. These are nut-free and sometimes approved for school activities.

You can also consider incorporating calcium powder (alongside magnesium and vitamin D). A B complex vitamin containing vitamin B6, vitamin B12, biotin, and folate (not folic acid) is another viable option.

I opt for probiotics from Just Thrive because they are proven to reach the gut (unlike many others). In general, if your probiotics necessitate refrigeration and are sensitive to heat, they are unlikely to survive stomach acid. They even offer a kid-friendly probiotic gummy that my children adore!

Choosing Your Juice

Most commercially available juices contain an alarming quantity of added sugars. They often comprise flavored sugar water blends. Freshly pressed juice is the superior choice, but if you require a store-bought alternative, seek out organic juice with no added sugars, flavors, or dyes.

Pineapple juice is unsuitable for these gummies as it contains bromelain, a digestive enzyme that breaks down protein. While beneficial for digestion, it hampers the gelling of gelatin, resulting in an odd slimy texture. The same issue arises with papaya.

Our preferred fresh juice combinations include mango/orange, lemon/lime (tart), or elderberry syrup as the base. These options are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and offer a delightful taste!

If you are pressed for time or unable to create chewable vitamins, Hiya would be my next recommendation. They feature clean ingredients and offer a diverse range of essential nutrients for children.