Hiya Vitamins Review - The Best Multivitamin for Kids?

Hiya was inspired by two fathers who found commercial multivitamins lacking. Many of the multivitamins for kids use too much sugar just to make it easier for kids to consume and lack many of the key nutrients you’re looking for.

Many of these vitamins prime children to rely on sugar, leading to dependency and a higher risk of cavities or illnesses like diabetes or obesity.

With this in mind, it’s clear to see why someone might want a more nutritional, less sugary alternative. But is Hiya everything it’s cracked up to be? We reviewed the product to find out.

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Hiya Vitamins (Our Review)

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Overall Assessment

Being parents themselves, the creators wanted to make a product with a child’s best interest in mind. Instead of their multivitamin just being a gummy dipped in sugar, it aims to give children the healthy vitamins and nutrients they need.

Hiya uses natural sweeteners to make their gummies more palatable. Despite this, many children still don’t warm up to them. This also seems to contradict their claims that it’s healthier than the alternative.

Whether “natural” or refined, sugar is high in calories and low in nutritional value. Sweeteners of any kind should be avoided in children’s supplements.

The product is suitable for children aged two and onward. You should always consult a professional before starting on a new supplement.

Pros

Contains several vitamins and minerals
Includes a reusable glass bottle
The subscription provides a 30-day fresh supply
The subscription is easy to start and cancel
Free shipping

Cons

Has to be purchased through a subscription service
The regular cost is around $30

Detailed Analysis

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Hiya Kids Multivitamin contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals necessary for growth and development. Many, if not all, of these nutrients, are sourced from organic fruits and vegetables.

Let’s have a look at what a single chewable multivitamin contains and why it’s good for kids.

Vitamin A

This vitamin is present in vegetables like kale, carrots, and squash. Vitamin A supports immunity and promotes healthy vision.

Hiya includes both beta-carotene and retinol palmitate forms of vitamin A.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C supports the immune system and is found in citrus fruit, peppers, and strawberries.

Children are dependent on outside sources for vitamin C since they can’t produce it internally. It’s important to help fight symptoms of colds and other viral infections.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D supports bone development and encourages a strong immune system. It’s abundant in mushrooms, fish, and egg yolks.

Over 40% of children in the U.S. have vitamin D deficiency. Children most at risk are those struggling with their weight, those living in colder climates, and picky eaters.

For this reason, Hiya included more than the recommended daily amount of vitamin D in their multivitamin. Each supplement has 25mcg where the recommended amount is 15mcg.

Vitamin toxicity is an often overlooked aspect of multivitamins. Between the ages of 1 and 8, more than 100mcg of vitamin D could result in toxicity, bringing with it severe symptoms ranging from nausea to kidney failure.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E helps the immune system, as well as maintains heart health. Avocados, almonds, and spinach contain a lot of this vitamin.

It’s difficult to keep track of how much vitamin E your child is getting since many food labels don’t mention it. This is why they’ve made sure to mention the amount on their labels.

The recommended amount of vitamin E for children is between 6mg and 11mg but Hiya only has 3.5mcg in their multivitamin. This puts it orders of magnitude below the amounts children should be getting at that age.

Thiamin (B1)

Thiamin has been shown to improve a number of psychological markers like mood, sleep, and concentration.

It helps convert carbohydrates into energy. If your child’s diet is high in processed foods like cereals and pizza then it is recommended that your child gets plenty of thiamin to balance it out.

Riboflavin

Riboflavin provides the body with energy and promotes healthy cell growth. It also helps the body metabolize fats and protein. So your kids are less likely to feel drowsy or exhausted during the day and remain active.

It’s water-soluble, so you’ll absorb the necessary amounts and excrete the excess.

Folate (B9)

Folate is important for children because it promotes cellular growth and increases energy. It’s easier to give it to them in chewable form than forcing them to eat foods like broccoli, avocados, and Brussel sprouts.

Hiya contains 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) folate instead of synthetic folic acid, which stays in the body for longer.

While it is generally okay to use synthetic folic acid supplements it can lead to some side effects if taken to excess. Side effects include slower brain development in children and a faster decline in adults’ mental abilities.

Vitamin B12

Children benefit from vitamin B12 because it improves their sleep. It’s also good for the production of red blood cells and is important for the brain and nerves. You can find it in milk, bananas, and liver.

Hiya Multivitamin has methylcobalamin B12. This form can be used to help treat vitamin B12 deficiency.

Biotin (B7)

Biotin is good for the skin and promotes hair growth. It plays a positive role in energy production, supports brain activity, and reduces inflammation.

This ingredient is also water-soluble, so the body uses what’s necessary and naturally removes the excess.

Pantothenic Acid (B5)

Pantothenic Acid is good for the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen through the body. It helps keep the digestive tract healthy and is even good for promoting quality sleep.

Getting enough sleep improves attention, encourages good behavior, and improves learning and memory.

Calcium

Calcium plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of healthy bones. Cheese is a good source of calcium.

Since children do not produce calcium naturally, it’s important they get it from other sources. Calcium deficiency leads to brittle bones and can result in developmental problems in children.

Iodine

Iodine supports the function of thyroid hormones. These hormones regulate how quickly calories are burned and affect both weight loss and weight gain.

Children who keep a healthy weight are more likely to be fitter, self-confident, and have better learning capabilities

Iodine deficiency can lead to brain damage. This can cause reduced cognitive and motor development and in turn, lead to poor academic performance at school.

Zinc

Zinc is good for the immune system and helps children recover faster from small cuts and minor infections. It’s readily available in poultry, meat, and beans.

Zinc deficiency can lead to things like reduced healing ability and poor night vision.

Selenium

Children are not able to produce selenium on their own, which is why it is necessary to include it in their diet. It improves sleep, mood, and assists with inflammation.

In addition, children need selenium to maintain their heart and blood vessels. It keeps the heart muscles and the skin tissue healthy.

Selenium can be found in mushrooms, tuna, and nuclear reactors, though we wouldn’t recommend trying to eat that last one.

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Hiya Vitamins Customer Reviews

Hiya Kids Multivitamin has received a resounding “yes!” from nearly a thousand reviews. There are a total of 981 reviews, with 88% of them giving the product a five-star rating.

Positive Reviews

Many parents are happy that Hiya’s multivitamin is a single chewable that can be taken once a day, either at breakfast or dinner. Other multivitamins would have kids take a handful of pills throughout the day, which is not pleasant for anyone.

One reviewer, Nicole, said that after giving her daughter the multivitamin for two weeks, she found that she had taken a liking to it. Not only did she love the taste, but there were some marked improvements in her habits, too.

Nicole’s daughter no longer struggles to get up in the morning and she has ample amounts of energy throughout the day. Nicole jokingly added that she would need an adult version of the supplement just to keep up.

Negative Reviews

Unfortunately, not all the reviews express the same relief as Nicole.

It comes down to taste and picky eaters. Although the multivitamin uses a natural sweetener to make them appealing to children, some of them still don’t take to it well.

Some parents are able to give the multivitamin to their children when it’s mixed into their juices, but these are often high in refined sugar and calories, which can negate the effect of a healthy vitamin supplement.

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Hiya Vitamins FAQs

How Old Should Kids Be Before Taking Multivitamins?

Hiya claims that their multivitamin is suitable for children aged 2 and to their teens. Other sources would advise you to wait until your child is 4 years old unless your doctor suggests otherwise.

Does Hiya’s Multivitamin Contain Allergens?

The multivitamin does not have soy, eggs, milk, fish, nuts, or wheat. The facility where they make the multivitamin also goes through extensive processes to prevent cross-contamination.