Ideally, most children would get the majority of their fiber through the food they eat. However, a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that 95% of both adults and children fail to consume enough dietary fiber. Specifically, children often fail to meet even half of the recommended daily fiber intake.
According to kidshealth.org, children need between 10 and 35 grams of dietary fiber every day, depending on their ages. Does your child need a fiber supplement, and if so, what are the best fiber supplements for kids?
Does my child need a fiber supplement
One of the reasons parents may be concerned about their children consuming enough fiber is that a child’s stomach is smaller, so the amount of food they can eat is smaller. Also, many children eat a low-fiber diet. For this reason, it’s a good idea to supplement your child’s dietary fiber intake with fiber supplements for kids.
Fiber and why it’s important
Fiber is beneficial for digestion and can help keep children regular. In addition to being good for digestion, fiber also provides many other health benefits.
- Relief or prevention of constipation
- Increased feeling of fullness, which can help prevent childhood obesity
- Lowered cholesterol
- Prevention of diabetes and heart disease
- Possible decreased risk of some types of cancer
The 12 best fiber supplements for kids
Below, we have listed the 12 most popular fiber supplements for kids.
- Smartypants Kids Complete and Fiber
The SmartyPants Kids Complete and Fiber supplement is a multivitamin with added fiber. One of the best things about the SmartyPants Kids Complete and Fiber supplement is that it doesn’t have added sugar. Also, these fiber supplements for kids can be taken with or without food.
Recommended ages: Ages 4+
Suggested use: 2 gummies daily in the first week, then 4 gummies daily thereafter, with or without food
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 20
Total Carbohydrates: 7g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Total Sugars: 2g
Sodium: 20mg
- Nature Made Kid’s First Fiber
The Nature Made Kid’s First Fiber supplement has natural fruit flavors with no artificial flavors and no synthetic dyes. This supplement is gluten-free.
Recommended ages: Children ages 4-18
Suggested use: 2 gummies daily
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 15
Total Carbohydrates: 5g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Total Sugars: <1g
Sodium: Not listed
🔔 Fiber helps you feel full longer because it stays in your gut for longer periods of
time. This helps prevent overeating because you are not so hungry.
- Mommy’s Bliss Kids Fiber Gummies
It is made with chicory root fiber and is a good source of prebiotics. This brand is free of binders, fillers, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and gelatin.
Recommended ages: Ages 3+
Suggested use: 2 gummies per day
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 10
Total Carbohydrates: 6g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Total Sugars: 2g
Added Sugars: 2g
Sodium: 10mg
- L’il Critters Fiber Gummy Bears
The L’il Critters brand is hugely popular. It contains no synthetic dyes, no high fructose corn syrup, and is gluten-free.
Recommended ages: Ages 2+
Suggested use: 1 gummy daily until age 4, then 2 gummies after age 4
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 10
Total Carbohydrates: 5g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Total Sugars: Not listed
Sugar Alcohol: 1g
Sodium: Not listed
- Culturelle Kids Regularity Probiotic and Fiber
This brand comes in packets that you mix with cold beverages or cool food such as yogurt or applesauce.
Recommended ages: Ages 1+
Suggested use: 1 packet up to 3 times daily
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 20
Total Carbohydrates: 5g
Dietary Fiber: 3.5g
Total Sugars: 0g
Sodium: Not listed
Why do we need fiber 🤨?
Fiber helps regulate the body’s use of sugars, helping to keep hunger and blood sugar in check. Children and adults need at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day for good health, but most Americans get only about 15 grams a day. Great sources are whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
- Mama Bear Kids Fiber Gummies
It is an Amazon brand. These gummies are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
Recommended ages: 2+
Suggested use: 2 gummies
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 15
Total Carbohydrates: 5g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Total Sugars: 2g
Sodium: 10g
- Fiber Choice Flavor Drops
These drops are convenient because you can put them in any beverage or cold food. However, the label doesn’t list the amounts of sugar or sodium.
Recommended ages: 4+
Suggested use: 1 1/2 teaspoon in 8 ounces of water up to 4 times daily
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 10
Total Carbohydrates: 4g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Total Sugars: Not listed
Sodium: Not listed
- JoySpring Fiber Gummies
These gummies are organic and made with natural ingredients that are grown in the U.S.
Recommended ages: 4+
Suggested use: 3 gummies
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 20
Total Carbohydrates: 8g
Dietary Fiber: 5g
Total Sugars: 3g
Sodium: 10mg
- Lifeable Kids Prebiotic Fiber Gummies
Parents love Lifeable gummies because they are naturally sugar-free. Also, they are vegetarian, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
Recommended ages: 2+
Suggested use: 2 gummies
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 15
Total Carbohydrates: 5g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Total Sugars: 0g
Sodium: 5mg
- HyFiber for Kids
If you want a liquid fiber supplement that can be given to children as young as age 1, HyFiber is a good choice.
Recommended ages: 1+
Suggested use: 0.5 fluid ounces per day in cold beverages or food
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 10
Total Carbohydrates: 7g
Dietary Fiber: 6g
Total Sugars: 0g
Sodium: 0mg
🔔 The main benefit of fibre is that it keeps your digestive system healthy, preventing constipation and flatulence.
- Feel Great 365 Fiber for Kids Gummies
This brand is plant-based, vegetarian, gluten-free, and third-party tested.
Recommended ages: 4+
Suggested use: 1-3 gummies daily
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 5
Total Carbohydrates: 3g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Total Sugars: 1g
Added Sugars: 1g
Sodium: Not listed
- Kids Fiber Gummies
Natures Craft Kids Fiber Gummies are gluten-free.
Recommended ages: Adults and children over 4
Suggested use: 3 gummies daily with food
Nutritional content per serving:
Calories: 20
Total Carbohydrates: 8g
Dietary Fiber: 5g
Total Sugars: 3g
Added Sugars: 3g
Sodium: 20mg
Comment below to share your thoughts and don’t miss our blog on iron supplements for kids.