I Tried Three Ways to Get More Nutrients Into My Picky Kids—Here’s What Happened

One thing you don't expect about parenting: You'll also need to be an artist. And a magician. And an actor. I've deployed all three of these skills in the quest to get my kids to eat more veggies and calm down at night, including cutting steamed carrots into miniature stars, holding up the "magic towel" to see if a child will quit horsing around in the bath and appear beneath it so we can move on to bed, and pretending I'm a string bean that really, really doesn't want my three year old to eat it (the power of reverse psychology, folks). But when all of these tactics have failed, I've often found myself wondering if supplements could help bridge the nutritional gap and make evenings a bit easier.

Whether your kids are card-carrying picky eaters and night-time hype men like mine or not, I wanted to get to the bottom of this—so I turned to Joel Warsh, MD, a pediatrician specializing in integrative and holistic child healthcare, and tried out a lineup of Hiya kids supplements to give my full Hiya review.

"Children often lack sufficient iron, calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids in their diets," says Dr. Warsh (so phew, it's not just mine). "Incorporating a daily multivitamin into a child’s routine supports immune function, bone health, and overall growth. It ensures consistent intake of essential vitamins and minerals, which might be missing from their daily diet."

With this knowledge in mind, I embarked on a journey of integrating Hiya into our daily routine for my two boys, ages five and three (and a half, he'll let you know). Here's my Hiya review, below.

Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin Review

Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin

In the past, my kids have moaned and groaned over the taste of other multivitamins (especially if they weren't the super-sweet gummy kind). And gummies aren't great: "While kids love gummy vitamins, they often contain sugars and additives that aren't beneficial for dental or overall health," says Dr. Warsh. The good news? Hiya vitamins come in chewable form, which Dr. Warsh recommends, with zero sugar—and my kids happily ate them. My three year old, specifically, has already asserted ownership over all of the red ones, his favorite flavor.

Hiya multivitamins are formulated with 15+ essential vitamins and minerals and a blend of 12 organic fruits and vegetables, including vitamins A, C, D, E, and B12, plus zinc, calcium, and more. Not only is this good for them today, but also for tomorrow. "As children grow, their nutritional needs change. A multivitamin that adapts to these changes ensures that children get the right nutrients at different stages of their development, supporting overall health as they mature." Hiya is designed to support growth and development, immune health, and focus and concentration throughout kids' many phases.

Bonus: The refillable glass bottles come with cute stickers so each of my boys can customize their personal stash.

Hiya Kids Bedtime Essentials Review

Hiya's Kids Bedtime Essentials

I've had a solid bedtime routine with both of my kids since birth: bath, jammies, books, kisses. And yet, their little brains seem hardwired to seek out a cheat code to drag the process out as long as possible. If your kids are wiggly, whiney, or prone to demanding just one more book, then you get the struggle—but that's where Hiya Kids Bedtime Essentials comes in.

"Ingredients like magnesium and chamomile in the Hiya Kids Bedtime Essentials support relaxation and sleep," says Dr. Warsh. "Magnesium aids in muscle relaxation, while chamomile soothes the nervous system. This combination is safe for nightly use, aiding in a restful sleep routine." Just like the multivitamin, these come in chewable form with a fruity taste, all in a refillable bottle. Plus, there’s no melatonin in Kids Bedtime Essentials. Mine enjoy theirs at bath time, giving us a relaxing sendoff to bed.

Hiya Kids Daily Greens + Superfoods Review

Hiya Kids Daily Greens + Superfoods

This is possibly my favorite Hiya product, since you can use it to make anything. Hot cocoa? Milkshake? Chocolate milk? It works for all three, with 55 whole-food sourced ingredients including fruits, veggies, and digestive enzymes to support growth, digestion, and brain health, complete with a refillable canister and cute scoop. "This comprehensive formula supports a healthy immune system and aids in daily energy and optimal digestion," Dr. Warsh adds.

My usual go-to is blending it up into a morning smoothie with alt milk, bananas, greek yogurt, spinach, and nut butter—and my kids are none the wiser that it's packed with goodness. And to be honest, I always save some "chocolate milkshake" for myself.

Hey wellness seeker! Friendly reminder that—like all of wellness—the supplements you take are personal. Well+Good always recommends checking in with your healthcare provider before adding a new supplement to your routine.