Skip to content
Is your child always tired, catching every bug going around, or just not quite thriving the way you think they should? The signs your child has low vitamin levels can be subtle, easy to miss and more common than most parents realise.
If you’re wondering if a multivitamin will work for them, this article explains what to watch out for, which nutrients are frequently low in Australian children, and practical steps you can take today to support their nutrient intake.
Whole Earth & Sea® Kids Multi combines wholefood phytonutrients with essential vitamins and minerals to help fill nutrient gaps and support children’s healthy growth and development, immunity, cognitive function and overall wellbeing.
Why Low Nutrient Levels are Common in Children
Growing bodies need a constant supply of vitamins and minerals to maintain healthy growth and development, support immunity and fuel energy. Yet fussy eating, processed convenience food, and restricted diets, such as vegan or vegetarian diets, mean many children aren’t meeting their nutritional needs from food alone.[i][ii]
Low vitamin levels in children tend to develop gradually, which is exactly why they’re easy to miss. Your child may be a picky eater for many reasons, including food intolerances or taste, smell and texture aversions, which may cause them to miss out on essential vitamins and minerals.
Key Signs Your Child May Be Lacking Vitamins or Minerals
When your child isn’t their usual sparkly self, it is natural to wonder why they have low energy levels and get sick often. Although there can be many reasons for these symptoms, low nutrient levels are worth considering as a possible underlying cause.
1. Low Energy and Persistent Tiredness
Fatigue that lingers beyond a busy day is one of the most common signs of low vitamin or mineral levels. Iron, B-vitamins and folate are needed for energy production to power kids through the day.
2. Poor Immune Health
Getting sick is normal for kids and essential for building their immune systems. However, if they seem to catch every bug or don’t recover quickly, it’s worth asking what might be missing. Vitamins C, D, B6, B12, folate, iron and zinc are all essential to maintain healthy immune system function and health in children.
Children with low vitamin D levels show decreased immune health. To find out more about vitamin D for Aussie kids read here: Do Your Kids Need a Daily Vitamin D Supplement?
Other Signs Worth Watching Out For
- Poor growth and development — low zinc may contribute to poor growth in children. Iodine is also critical for growth and development in children.[viii]
- Mental function — low levels of iron, B-vitamins, iodine, vitamin C and folate may affect cognitive function in children.
Which Vitamins Are Most Commonly Low in Australian Children
Australian data shows that children frequently fall short on vitamins D, B2, B6 and B12, as well as iron, calcium and zinc.
If your child is always tired and finding it hard to mentally function, they may be low in iron, which should be discussed with your GP. A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis found low iron levels affect a significant proportion of school-aged children globally, with nutritional inadequacy a primary driver.
Vitamin C may be low in children with limited dietary variety, particularly those with a poor intake of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Low vitamin D is common in Australian children, more prevalent in the southern states.
What You Can Do About It
- Improve dietary variety — Wholefoods including vegetables (lots of colours and variety), fruit, quality protein (meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, tofu, legumes), wholegrains and healthy fats (nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocado) form the foundation. Children’s multivitamin benefits complement, not replace, good nutrition.[xiii]
- Encourage safe sun exposure — Playing outside is a natural way to maintain adequate vitamin D levels in children. A few minutes of sun exposure on most days is often adequate in summer. However, in late autumn and winter, when the UV Index is below 3, time outdoors in the middle of the day with some skin uncovered is recommended.[xiv]
- Consider a quality multivitamin — If your child is a picky eater or shows some of the signs mentioned above, a daily children's multivitamin can help fill nutritional gaps.
Speak to a healthcare professional if you are concerned about your child’s nutrient levels or symptoms persist.
Good Nutrition is the Foundation: Does Your Child Need a Boost?
Signs your child has low vitamin levels, including constant tiredness, poor immune health and cognitive difficulties, may indicate a need for additional nutrient support. The good news is that nutritional gaps can be simple to address.
A wholefood, nutritious diet is the foundation, and a quality multivitamin can provide additional support for children with dietary nutrient gaps. Look for one that’s children-specific, sugar-free, uses bioavailable nutrient forms, and is free from unnecessary fillers and additives.
Whole Earth & Sea® Kids Multi is a delicious, berry-flavoured, vegan chewable tablet made with organic wholefoods and vitamins and minerals, designed to maintain children’s healthy growth and development and support immunity, cognitive function and overall wellbeing.
For other useful information on how to nutritionally support your child’s health:
