My kids won’t take regular vitamins. Are the gummy kind OK?

By: Dr. John R. Liu

I wouldn't recommend gummy vitamins for kids. Since they're so squishy and sticky, they get stuck in between teeth and stay there for a long period of time, which can lead to cavities. (Of course, this goes for gummy candies too.) What's more, giving kids vitamins that taste like candy can set a dangerous precedent: It teaches them that taking medicine is a fun thing to do. I've experienced this with my own daughters: One really loves grape-flavored Tylenol, so she began asking for it because she had a minor headache. It's important that kids understand that medicine is not a treat, and vice-versa.

In addition, keep in mind that you shouldn't be giving your child a daily multivitamin unless your pediatrician has given you specific instructions to do so. You might think it's a good way to fill in nutritional gaps in your children's diet, but it's better to teach them that nutrients should be coming from healthy food -- not a supplement.

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