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3 Signs "Hidden Hunger" is Hurting Your Kid's Health... And What You Can Do About It

Angie Carson

Tuesday, January 17th, 2023

Image of young blonde haired child in red t-shirt looking upset and crying

About 6 months ago, my kid's behavior started changing for the worse.

Trevor had always been sweet and easy to get along with. Then out of nowhere, he began fighting me over everything–toys, meal time, TV, you name it.

If he didn't get his way, he would scream, cry, and pout until he wore himself out.

I hoped it was just the "ferocious fours" people talk about. So I did all the things the experts tell you... like not giving in to the outbursts and establishing clear boundaries.

But no matter what I tried, Trevor was a holy terror at home and at daycare. It was driving me crazy!

Desperate, I decided to see a new pediatrician and see what they could find.

Thank god I did... because that's when I learned Trevor's problems weren't just a phase.

They were symptoms of something called hidden hunger. And all of a sudden, Trevor's anger, poor sleep, and constant outbursts all made perfect sense.

 

What is Hidden Hunger?

Hidden hunger is when your kid isn't eating enough high-quality foods.

They may seem healthy on the outside. But if they aren't getting plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and proteins, it can take a toll.

That's what happened with Trevor.

He looked totally healthy. But the doctor said I was overdoing the snacks and fast food... and not giving him enough fruits and veggies.

Doctors call it "hidden hunger" because like me, most parents don't even realize it's happening.

But over time, hidden hunger can lead to health problems like anemia, immune disorders, cognitive issues, and even worse.1,2,3,4

Scary, I know. After learning about Hidden Hunger, I felt like I'd let Trevor down. I'm the one who makes his meals, after all.

But getting him to eat his fruits and veggies was a constant, stressful battle. Eventually, I just gave in... it was easier to let him eat what he wanted.

If that struggle sounds familiar, you may be wondering about your own kid's health.

So here are three Hidden Hunger warning signs to look out for, from my pediatrician:

Image of science headlines in the media connected to vitamin d deficiency

Warning Sign #1: Anger and Irritability

If your kid is fussy and angry a lot, that could be a clear sign of hidden hunger.

It definitely was for Trevor. He went from calm and happy to irritable most of the day.

When that happens, the culprit is often a lack of vitamins B1 and B2. 

Vitamin B1 is an essential nutrient kids need to be healthy. It usually comes from leafy greens like spinach, whole grains, and nuts like almonds.5,6

What makes B1 so important is how the body turns food into energy. Without it, kids can't metabolize their food properly, leaving them tired and cranky.

Vitamin B2 plays a similar role.7 Like B1, Vitamin B2 helps your child create energy. In addition, it helps them use other vitamins and minerals, such as iron and Vitamin B6.

When kids don't get enough B2, they can't process other nutrients, leading to fatigue and irritability.

 

Warning Sign #2: Sleep Problems

If your child struggles with sleep, that's another hidden hunger tipoff.

Trevor would fuss and me fight at bedtime, have trouble falling asleep, and then wake up in the middle of the night.

All these indicate a lack of vitamins B6 and D3.

Vitamin B6 helps the brain produce melatonin, an important hormone for sleep.8 Vitamin D3 plays a similar role, by regulating the body's sleep-wake cycle.9 

When kids don't get enough of either vitamin, it can take a toll, and make it harder for them to get quality sleep.

 

Warning Sign #3: Mood Swings & Outbursts

I was always shocked by how fast Trevor's moods could change.

In 2 seconds, he'd go from smiling and upbeat to screaming his lungs out. It always seemed so random!

At least, until I learned about Folate and Vitamin B12. When your kid isn't getting enough of these nutrients, it can throw their moods into chaos.10

Folate usually comes from leafy vegetables, beans, and some fruits. But low folate can affect your child's neurotransmitters.11

When these chemicals are out of balance, it can cause mood swings and outbursts that seem to come out of nowhere.

Vitamin B12 can have a similar effect. If your kid's not getting enough B12, it can lead to outbursts and even contribute to depression.

Now, I want to be clear: hidden hunger is not limited to these 6 nutrients.

If your kid isn't getting enough of all the vitamins, like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, the B vitamins, and several others...

It can lead to impaired growth, poor cognitive function, immune problems, and even chronic disease later in life.1,2,3,4

 

How You Can Prevent Hidden Hunger

In a perfect world, fighting hidden hunger would be simple. Just give your kid a healthy, balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains every day.

Well, if you have a picky eater like I do, you know that's easier said than done!

Thankfully, there's another way to protect your child: give them a vitamin made to prevent hidden hunger.

Over the past year, I tried a bunch of different vitamin brands with Trevor.  

And after plenty of trial and error, I learned kid's vitamins are NOT all created equal.

 

How to Find the Best Vitamin for Your Child

Some brands load their vitamins with up to 10 grams of sugar per serving. At that point, you're basically giving your kid candy!

Other brands put too many nutrients in their vitamins.

Yes, it's a thing... If your kid gets more nutrients than their body can handle, it can be just as bad as not getting enough.

Too much vitamin A can weaken bones12, for example, and too much Vitamin D can even cause organ damage.13

Fortunately, I discovered Kid's Daily Enrichment from First Day.

Product image of Kids Daily Enrichment First Day vitamins in a kitchen

It's an organic gummy formulated by Ivy League doctors, to help prevent hidden hunger.

Kid's Daily Enrichment contains 9 key vitamins kid's bodies need. Plus, it's made from organic fruits and veggies like apple, kale, spinach, and blueberry. There are no added chemicals or fillers whatsoever.

Unlike other brands, it won't overload your kid with nutrients. The idea is to "fill in the gaps" in your kid's diet, giving them the optimal daily dose.

Trevor loved the taste, and I loved the results.

He's been taking First Day for about 6 months... he even opened up to eating more fruits and veggies!

It feels great knowing Trevor's getting the nutrients he needs to be healthy. Since starting his new regimen, Trevor's been calmer, kinder, and easier to get along with.

Needless to say, I'm a big fan of Kid's Daily Enrichment... which is why I'm spreading the word to as many moms as I can.

 

A Special Offer For New Customers

I was so happy with the results, I even reached out to First Day to share my story.

When I told them about Trevor's progress, they were as excited as I was!

Then they shared some good news of their own: because right now, First Day is running a special sale.

New customers coming from this page can get up to 31% off their order of Kids Daily Enrichment.

So if you want to give your kid a healthy boost from mother nature, this is a great opportunity.

Click Here to Try Kid's Daily Enrichment and Save Up To 31% Instantly

First Day is so confident that Kids Daily Enrichment can help you, it's covered by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

If you're not completely happy, First Day will refund your entire purchase, no questions asked.

More than 70,00 families have tried Kid's Daily Enrichment and seen great results.

This gummy was a game changer for me and Trevor, too. If you've got a young kiddo at home, I'm sure it will work for you!

REMINDER: As a one-time offer to readers coming from this page, First Day is offering up to 31% off to all new customers.

Word is getting out about Kids Daily Enrichment, and demand is high. Due to the surge of interest, this special offer could go away at any time.

Click the button below to see if Kids Daily Enrichment is still in stock.

Photo of professional working mom with pink blazer and glasses

Hi, I'm Angie Carson. I thought I knew a lot...then I became a mom. Then came the tears. And the daily struggles. That's why I like to write about ways to get rid of the stress that comes with the million responsibilities of a mom. So you get the peace you deserve.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Citations:

1Biesalski, Hans Konrad. Hidden Hunger in the Developed World - Nutri-Facts. Department of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany, https://www.nutri-facts.org/content/dam/nutrifacts/media/media-book/RTGN_chapter_03.pdf.

2Titcomb, Tyler J., and Sherry A. Tanumihardjo. “Global Concerns with B Vitamin Statuses: Biofortification, Fortification, Hidden Hunger, Interactions, and Toxicity.” Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, vol. 18, no. 6, 2019, pp. 1968–1984., https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12491.

3Bhan, Maharaj K, et al. “Micronutrient Deficiency in Children: British Journal of Nutrition.” Cambridge Core, Cambridge University Press, 9 Mar. 2007, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/micronutrient-deficiency-in-children/8A81B96CC7DFC504BC6283B38B2E0BFC.

4“Micronutrients Have Major Impact on Health.” Harvard Health, 15 Feb. 2021, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/micronutrients-have-major-impact-on-health.

5“Office of Dietary Supplements - Thiamin.” NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Thiamin-HealthProfessional/.

6“Thiamin – Vitamin B1.” The Nutrition Source, 28 Oct. 2019, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-b1/

7“Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): Foods, Benefits, and Deficiency Symptoms.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219545.

8“What Are the Dangers of B6 Vitamins in Children? | Livestrong.” LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, https://www.livestrong.com/article/276077-what-are-the-dangers-of-b6-vitamins-in-children/.

9Vitamin D and Sleep in Children - Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.8440.

10Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D. “Vitamin B-12 and Depression: Are They Related?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 June 2018, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/vitamin-b12-and-depression/faq-20058077.

11“Vitamins: How They Affect Your Mental Health and How They Can Help Manage Mental Health Issues.” WebMD, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/what-to-know-about-vitamins-and-mental-health.

12“Too Much Vitamin A Can Weaken Your Bones.” WebMD, WebMD, 22 Jan. 2003, https://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/news/20030122/vitamin-bone-poison.

13Katherine Zeratsky, R.D. “Vitamin D Toxicity: What If You Get Too Much?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 22 Mar. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/vitamin-d-toxicity/faq-20058108#:~:text=The%20main%20consequence%20of%20vitamin,the%20formation%20of%20calcium%20stones.

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