7 year old newly vegan, looking for (clean) multivitamin recommendations please.

[PinkyU]

Hi all, my youngest lo has been vegan (gluten free also) for a few weeks now. I’ve used this time to really have a look at what she eats and what areas of diet she may need a little support in.

I feel that she is struggling to eat enough variety for calcium, protein and B12. So I feel a multivitamin and perhaps a B12 specific vitamin would be helpful.

I’d much prefer ones that are organic and chemical free. I’ve had a look at “mykind” and am a bit eye-watery over the price, but with little experience I’m not sure if the cost is just the cost?

Which ingredients are you specifically hoping to avoid?

@PinkyU I am totally with you there. The amount of chewing to make sure I eat the enormous amount to cover for all my nutrients and polyphenols is some days a chore, so I just put everything in the blender and have a green smoothie. I do this one for me I remove the fruit, for her you could increase fruit until she is more used to the taste.

I also eat a lot of soups, and sprinkle nutritional yeast on top. Pumpkin carrot is lovely.
Nutrition from plants needs a bit of education, because again a nutrient on paper, such as spinach being rich of calcium is useless since the body won't absorb it because of the oxalates also present in spinach. Kale is a good alternative. But you need to know how to prepare it and know you need to remove the ribs.

This book is a great start www.amazon.co.uk/Becoming-Vegan-Complete-Adopting-Plant-based/dp/1570671036?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

If she is autistic, you definitely must supplement with algae based omega 3 as PP said. I take the DEVA omega 3 DHA EPA. You can do a prick test to check the omega 3 index, normal is between 8-12, ideal above 12.
I do the classic blood test for omega 3 , but I wanted to test the prick test which would be cheaper omegaquant.com/what-is-the-omega-3-index/ however, postal mail is a disaster in Australia because of covid, so I have to wait.
If she ever needs to have blood test for any reason, ask your GP to add Omega 3 index. I can't stress enough how important it is .

Many supplements come in the form of spray which might be better for you if your DD has gut issues.

Just seen the "not keen on soups"
Chickpea flour is very versatile. You can make muffins leaded with veggies and falafel loaded with fresh herbs.

I too was avoiding supplements at first, and did everything right. Nutrition books, nutrition course, diet revised by a dietician, but blood were not good. Not because my diet wasn;t good, but because of my genetic condition I don't metabolise well.

Now I supplement quite a lot. Many of the nutrients vegans need to be careful about are linked to neurological health, cognition included.
The importance of supplements is stated in this videos from a very young Dr Greger

He has a website nutritionfacts.org

@Bravefarts there’s a few, but my main concern is carboxymethylcellulosesodium which has been linked to inflammation in the small intestine in lab testing. The pain lo experiences in a flair up just leads us to avoid any potential irritant.

Gosh @LeGrandBleu you are beyond knowledgeable! I’ve got a lot of reading to do, and a blender to buy

Have you had a look at Holland and Barrett?

We’ve been experimenting a lot with different recipes, lo loves veg muffins and pancakes with coconut based soft cheese, and falafel with hummus has become a firm favourite, she’s also determined to push through her sensory difficulties to eat baby carrots with hummus thanks to a catchy tune she’s heard online

@Ginfordinner I actually went in to our local H&B to seek some face to face help but because lo has underlying conditions and due to her age they were very uneasy with recommendations.

Cellulose is (routinely) used as a bulking agent in medications/supplements.
But if you want to avoid it, a really easy way would be to use liquid formulations, including sprays.

You will learn soon too. A blender is handy for smoothie, and soups, but also for golden latte or other almond milk based drinks.
Almond milk is great for calcium, soy milk for protein.

I would recommend this book www.amazon.co.uk/Dental-Diet-Surprising-between-Life-Changing/dp/1401953174?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 to understand how calcium, teeth and bones, and even the gut work. Not a vegan book, but a must read for all , vegan and non vegan

These might work? They do drops and liquid too
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NaturesPlus-Animal-Parade-Childrens-Multivitamin/dp/B00427OPZI/ref=mpsa13?dchild=1&keywords=natures+gold+vitamins+kids&qid=1600554357&sprefix=natures+gold&sr=8-3

7 is very young to have been diagnosed as a coeliac. B12 is in eggs....is she really aware that an egg is an animal product...could you disguise it somehow? If she does have digestive issues which have led you to assume gluten may be the issue, I would encourage you to not seek to limit her diet anymore than just restricting gluten and to get some immediate medical advice, if you have not already done so.
She would likely benefit from at least a referral to a dietician as B12 deficiency would be very serious. Sometimes coeliacs also have pernicious anaemia (even if they red meat as they cannot absorb the B12 properly) which is treated with regular B12 injections, so please get her checked out to ensure that is not the issue. Fussy eaters should be encouraged to eat anything and everything....to ensure adequate nutrition surely?

@PinkyU here is a photo of the first sheets I was given.
I spilled coffee in then so apologies for the stains. I hope you can read it. It is for adult woman/ teen but the brands suggested might be a guidance and good info on the websites listed.