Getting children to eat anything that isn’t beige is a shared struggle many mums and dads can relate to. For those concerned about their little ones’ vegetable intake, we’ve found a dietitian-approved formula that costs 80p a day and tastes like chocolate milk.
Although a varied diet is certainly the best way to ensure well-rounded nutrition, parents of picky eaters often turn to supplements to help boost intake of key vitamins and minerals. While many come in gummy form, the Hiya Kids Daily Greens + Superfoods is a little bit different.
The chocolate-flavoured powder has been formulated for children aged three to 12 and contains 55 whole-food sourced ingredients, including spinach and broccoli. It is designed to be mixed with milk or a milk alternative to create a chocolate drink that can be enjoyed ‘without the typical taste of greens’.
It currently costs £24, reduced from £48, for the first month, which comes complete with a refillable tin that can be decorated with stickers. Then, the subscription automatically renews each month, working out at 80p a day for the first month, then £1.60 thereafter.
The zero sugar formula contains a blend of whole-food sourced ingredients alongside key micronutrients, including magnesium and Vitamin D, which, according to Hiya, contribute to the normal function of the immune system and are needed for normal growth and development of bone in children.
Paediatrician Phil Boucher, MD, has also highlighted vitamin D as an important nutrient for children. Speaking to The Mirror, he said the recommended amount for children over one is 600 IU per day and noted that children who consume little milk or fortified alternatives may not get enough from those sources alone.
He added that the issue can become particularly relevant during the autumn and winter months, when children are spending less time in the sun. He explained: “I practice in Nebraska. From October to April my patients are mostly indoors and far away from the sun so vitamin D synthesis in the skin is basically off the table.”
Elsewhere, at Holland and Barrett, there’s a similar product called Kids Super Greens, for £34.99. Sold by Little Vitz, it combines a blend of nutrient-rich greens, fruits and superfoods with 15 essential vitamins and minerals, though it’s yet to generate any reviews from customers at the retailer.
Meanwhile, at Amazon, these Kids 11-in-1 Vegetable Gummies from GummyUp+ are currently reduced from £17.99 to £9.99. They have a 4.6 star rating, and are suitable for slightly older children from age 5-12.
Hiya’s formulas have earned a 4.9 star rating based on almost 7,000 reviews. Parents have been particularly impressed with the Daily Greens + Superfood powder, with many saying their children actually request it each day.
One mum wrote: “My youngest daughter has food sensory issues and her appetite is no longer the same. We have tried everything under the sun to get her to eat more veggies to no avail. So happy I discovered Hiya and took a chance cause now she asks for her chocolate milk on a daily basis.”
Another said: “My three-year-old has one of the worst diets since he started eating solids. He literally just eats chicken nuggets and fries and bread – that’s it. As a mom, you can imagine my worry about his nutrition, as well as what is available in the market with all the additives and preservatives. I came across Hiya through my research, and I like the fact that it is clean
“My kid drinks it every day, and he calls it ‘chocolate milk’. I’m not sure if he is getting all the nutrition he needs but something is better than nothing. I don’t think I’ll even consider anything other than Hiya – the price is worth it.”
However, not every review has been completely positive. One customer said they found that the powder did not fully dissolve, commenting: “It tastes fine, but it doesn’t completely dissolve in liquid even after I warm it up. Clumps in the cup makes it undesirable for my kid.”
Another said: “My picky toddler that only eats cucumbers which too takes a lot of negotiation, loves the chocolate shake.”
While a registered dietician added: “I have a three year-old that has good days when she wants to eat and she has bad days when she doesn’t want to eat and when I know that she’s not getting the nutrition that she needs I called this special chocolate milk and she absolutely loves it, and I know that she is getting all the nutrients that her little body needs from this not only will I put it in milk, but we also will bake with it and make muffins.
“I definitely recommend this for anyone who has picky eaters or picky spouses, while this may not be targeted towards adults. My husband will tolerate this, and he has a very picky palate. As a Registered Dietitian, I absolutely love this. I love that it’s sweetened with Stevia extract rather than monk fruit, sugar or other artificial sweeteners. I have even recommended this for my patience to take or to keep in their house for their kids.”
Parents can check out Hiya’s range of children’s supplements here.
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This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
