The Best Fiber Supplement for Children

by Dr. Karen Reed Ph. D. Thursday, January 18, 2018

Fiber is a very important part of a child’s diet. It’s important to maintain your child’s health and wellbeing. Fiber has a lot of benefits to the body, for children and adults. It helps regulate bowel movement, maintain a healthy weight, and even prevent diabetes, among others. Usually, though, a child can’t acquire all the fiber he needs from his daily diet.

If your child doesn’t get the right amount of fiber, he may experience some issues like constipation. And when you consult with your pediatrician, he may recommend that your child takes some fiber supplements. Of course, it’s always best to consult with your doctor before you give your child any supplements or medication.

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Who Needs Fiber Supplements?

Certain fiber supplements are specifically made to fit children’s needs. However, that doesn’t mean that every child needs to take them. If you want to make sure, try and observe your child’s diet. It’s even better if you can take an inventory of your child’s fiber intake daily.

Get the information from the foods he usually eats and checks with your pediatrician. Consult with your child’s doctor to see if your little one needs such supplements. If your doctor says your child needs them, then you should find the best possible one.

What are Fiber Supplements?

Fiber happens to be a type of carbohydrate – the indigestible kind. It’s found in different types of food, and it plays a vital role in keeping the body healthy. Fiber is most beneficial to the digestive system. If your child’s digestion is good, there’s a very little risk that he’ll suffer from common illnesses and diseases.

If you try going through health articles, you’ll realize that a lot of experts advise parents to make sure that their kids get enough fiber from their diet. Usually, children don’t get enough of this component for a lot of different reasons. Your child may be a picky-eater, or your child doesn’t eat much in general. These are common reasons for insufficient fiber-intake, there are more.

When a child consumes enough fiber, it would have a lot of benefits to his body. To name a few, it can help regulate cholesterol levels, and it prevents harmful diseases like cancer from developing. Although it’s an essential component, it’s usually taken for granted.

Dietary fiber is a vital part of a well-balanced eating plan. There are different reasons why you should include more fiber in your child’s diet, and those reasons aren’t as simple as you may think. There are 2 kinds of fiber found in foods that we usually consume. First, there’s water-soluble fiber. As the name implies, this type of fiber gets dissolved in water. The second is insoluble fiber, which doesn’t dissolve as easily.

When the bacteria found in the gut digest soluble fiber, that process is very beneficial. It affects the body positively. All that soluble fiber in the food eaten attracts water. When this happens, it turns into a kind of gel, which slows down digestion. You can find this type of fiber in foods like beans, seeds, nuts, oats, lentils, and some types of vegetables and fruits.

On the other hand, insoluble fiber will help foods pass through your child’s digestive system faster. You can find this type of fiber in foods like vegetables and whole grains. These types of food help bulk up stool too.

Both types of fiber are important. Good bacteria in the gut feed on fiber. And when these bacteria are well-fed, they help keep the digestive system working smoothly. Because of this, the digestion processes work smoothly too. This is the main reason why even children need a high-fiber diet.

Now that you know more about fiber, you may be asking yourself, what are fiber supplements? Fiber supplements are tablets, capsules, or in the case of supplements for kids, gummies taken orally to supplement the daily fiber intake. There are different kinds of fiber supplements, from simple ones to kinds which contain a lot more ingredients than just fiber.

Ideally, it would be more beneficial if your child acquires the daily amount of fiber he needs from fiber-rich foods. These include vegetables, fruits, beans, seeds, whole grains, and more. However, these foods don’t appeal to most kids, and so they miss out on getting the right amount of fiber.

In cases like this, your child’s doctor may recommend that he take some fiber supplement. Of course, such supplements aren’t meant to take the place of your child’s meals. You still need to encourage your child to consume foods which are rich in fiber and give the supplement just to add on to that.

Therefore it’s important to consult with your doctor first. If your doctor says that your child’s daily fiber intake is enough, then you don’t need to give fiber supplements!

What are the Benefits of Fiber Supplements for Children?

As we’ve discussed, not all children need fiber supplements. But if you’ve already spoken with your doctor and your child is recommended to take them, it’s helpful to know how beneficial they can be for your child. Here are some of the benefits of fiber supplements for children:

Improves overall health

First, fiber helps improve the overall health of your child. Research shows that children who eat more fiber tend to eat less sugar and fats. Because of this, they are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.

The reason for this is that foods which are rich in fiber don’t contain many calories and your child’s body digests such foods more slowly. So, your child will remain full longer and don’t tend to overeat. Fiber also keeps insulin and blood sugar levels steady. When this happens, the body won’t store unnecessary fats.

How do you ask? Well, the body converts carbohydrates from food into glucose, which happens to be a major source of energy. When your child consumes simple carbohydrates which are very easy to digest, their insulin and blood sugar levels will spike. When this happens, their body will think that it already has too much energy. So, the body will store some of it as fat.

On the other hand, if your child eats carbohydrates which are rich in fiber, the body won’t digest it easily, which means it won’t lead to a spike in insulin levels. So, your child’s body won’t signal itself to store fats.

If you want your child to remain healthy overall, you can supplement his fiber intake with fiber supplements. This will help your child’s body function better and stay fit.

Aids in digestion

Another main benefit of fiber supplements is that it aids in digestion. Remember, fiber will help your child feel full for longer. It will also help keep your child’s digestive system working productively. If you find the right supplement, you’ll notice how it impacts your child’s health positively after some time.

Promotes the health of gut flora

Did you know that every one of us has millions and millions of guts flora in our digestive tract? This also applies to children. The gut flora of the digestive tract even outnumbers all the other cells in the body! Now that you know that, it’s also important to note that they need a healthy environment to thrive.

Fiber supplements promote the health of gut flora by keeping your child’s digestive tract healthy. Because of this, the gut flora will be able to function properly to keep the body running smoothly. Gut flora affects everything, from your child’s immune responses, weight, and even brain function.

Prevents constipation

A lot of children suffer from constipation. There may be a lot of reasons for this, but mainly it’s because their bodies aren’t able to digest food properly. And what causes that? Often, it’s caused by insufficient levels of fiber in their diet. This is where fiber supplements come in.

Fiber supplements can help add to your child’s fiber levels, therefore allowing your child to acquire the right amount of fiber he needs each day. When your child has enough fiber, it keeps his digestive system healthy and so your child’s body will be able to digest food more easily.

There may be other factors which contribute to constipation. Your child may be taking medication which has constipation as a side effect. Either that or your child had a bad experience while he was potty trained. No matter what the cause is, you need to consult with your pediatrician first before you start giving any kinds of supplements.

If the reason for your child’s constipation is the lack of fiber, then you may give your child fiber supplements. These will be very beneficial and may help your child with his bowel issues. On the other hand, if it’s not caused by insufficient fiber, then you need to employ different strategies to treat constipation.

Regulates weight and prevents diabetes

Another benefit of fiber supplements is that they may help keep your child’s weight in check. When your child has enough fiber, the tendency is he won’t feel hungry all the time. If your child eats fiber-rich foods, he will be consuming the same amount of food but fewer calories.

Also, when your child has good fiber levels, the digestion process works gradually and more efficiently. This will give your child a “full” feeling and, so he won’t overeat when presented with food, thus, regulating his weight.

Fiber supplements may also help prevent or control diabetes. This is because fiber can slow down the rate at which your child’s body absorbs sugar. This, in turn, helps improve the blood sugar levels of your child. When your child has enough fiber, there’s also a reduced risk of him acquiring type 2 diabetes. These benefits are more long-term in nature, but they’re still a huge advantage.

Helps control cholesterol levels

Finally, fiber supplements may also help regulate your child’s cholesterol levels. Granted, high cholesterol isn’t a problem usually experienced by children. But if you start keeping healthy cholesterol levels while your child is young, he may keep this healthy habit and maintain it until he grows up. As you can see, fiber has a lot of different benefits to your child’s health!

What to Consider when Giving Fiber Supplements to Children

There have been some controversies surrounding fiber supplements for children. This is especially true when giving supplements which are meant for adults. Even if your doctor recommends such supplements, think twice before giving them. You might even want to ask for a second opinion from a different doctor, just to be sure.

Remember, children’s needs differ from adults. So adult fiber supplements may be too strong for your little ones. That’s why we’ve reviewed some of the best products which are meant for kids and kid-friendly. For the best fabric deodorizer for kids, check here.

What Are the Best Fiber Supplements for Children

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SmartyPants Kids Complete Fiber Multivitamin

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Overview:

This is a popular choice for children’s fiber supplement. This is because it contains more than just fiber. It’s made with premium ingredients which will keep your child’s digestive system healthy. Made with natural components, it will also promote your child’s overall health. And the best part is, the gummies taste great!

Pros

Contains the essential nutrients for the production of energy and a healthy immune system.
Also contains fish oil that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Doesn’t contain artificial ingredients, GMOs, and common allergens.

Cons

The gummies may stick together in the bottle.

Fiber Choice Bone Health Plus Calcium & Vitamin D Fiber Supplement

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Overview:

These supplements are available in different colors and flavors to appeal to children. It’s a kid-friendly supplement mainly made of inulin. This is a natural fiber found in vegetables and fruits. It’s also a prebiotic fiber. This means that it will promote the growth and functionality of the good bacteria in your child’s digestive system.

Pros

A natural way to naturally keep your child’s immune system healthy.
Promotes overall health.
Also enhances the absorption of calcium in your child’s body to promote healthy bones.

Cons

Has a chalky texture.

L’il Critters Fiber Gummy Bears

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Overview:

This fiber supplement is a fun and yummy way to help your child get the fiber his body needs. Fiber is very important to your child’s body because it enhances the digestion process from beginning to end. These gummies are free of gluten and sugar. They also don’t contain most of the common allergens for kids. They’re healthy, natural, and fun to take!

Pros

Contains probiotics which improve digestion.
Just one serving contains as much fiber as 5 prunes.
Made with natural flavors and colors.

Cons

Some say that the gummy bears are too chewy.

Fiber Advance Gummies for Kids

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Overview:

Doctor’s best works hand in hand with Quali-C, a brand that is widely known to produces a wide range of world’s premium pure Vitamin C supplements — to formulate a pure Ascorbic Acid for immune support. Doctor’s Best Vitamin C with Quali-C provides 1000 mg of Vitamin C per capsule.

Its claim to promote immune response is clinically proven and is tested by a third party. It passed all purity tests conducted by Labdoor and ranked this supplement as second best in “Top 10 Vitamin C Supplements”. In fact, the trial recorded 1070 mg of Vitamin C per capsule which is higher than its label claim.

fact, the trial recorded 1070 mg of Vitamin C per capsule which is higher than its label claim.

Pros

Sugar-free, contains fiber and natural ingredients.
Has a yummy taste to ensure that your child will take his supplements.
Free of the common allergens.

Cons

The gummies may melt inside the bottle.

Little Remedies Little Tummys Fiber Gummies

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Overview:

These gummy fiber supplements are made with effective and safe formulas. The formulas promote your child’s overall health and wellbeing. The manufacturers of this supplement believe that “less is more.” So, they made sure that the supplements contain the right amounts of ingredients making them safe to consume and very effective. They also taste great which is a definite plus.

Pros

Made with natural fruit colors and flavors.
Gluten and chemical-free.
Promotes healthy digestion in your child’s body.

Cons

Might cause constipation if the child doesn’t drink a lot of water.

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Our Choice for The Best Fiber Supplement For Children

Fiber supplements may help enhance your child’s health, especially if he isn’t fond of fiber-rich foods. Although not all kids need such supplements, it’s helpful to learn about them in case the need arises. And you’ve just read about some of the best fiber supplements for children available now.

Among all these products though, we believe that one of them stands out. Our choice for the best fiber supplement is SmartyPants Kids Complete Fiber Multivitamin. This is because it’s more than just a fiber supplement, some even consider it as a multivitamin. It contains a lot of different components aside from fiber which will help promote your child’s health.

These supplements taste great and are made with natural ingredients. They don’t contain any GMOs, synthetic components, and common allergens. The SmartyPants supplements also contain omega-3 fatty acids which have a lot of health benefits too.

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