Being a parent means facing the challenge of ensuring your child receives the essential nutrients they need to grow and stay healthy. It becomes even more challenging when your child is a picky eater, sticking only to their favorite foods and unhealthy snacks. Children with nutritional deficiencies may experience negative consequences such as a weakened immune system, making it harder for them to fend off illnesses and diseases, and the risk of being under or overweight, among others.
The market is saturated with various kids' vitamins and multivitamins, all claiming to promote your child's health. However, it's essential to recognize that the majority of these products are packed with sugar, essentially resembling candy more than actual vitamins.
If you find yourself in this situation, you're likely seeking guidance on choosing between two popular kids' multivitamin brands: Hiya and Alive by Nature's Way. In the following sections, we will conduct a comprehensive comparison of both formulations to help you make an informed decision for your child's well-being.
Hiya vs. Alive Comparison Table
| Product | Editor's choice Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin | Alive! Kids Chewable | Alive! Kids Gummy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where to buy | Official website | Official website | Official website |
| Price | $30 | $19.99 | $20.99 |
 | 4.5 out of 5 | 3.2 out of 5 USA 4.7 out of 5 UK | 3.2 out of 5 USA 4.7 out of 5 UK |
| Added sugar | 0g | 1-2g | 3-4g |
| Form | Chewables | Chewables | Gummies |
| Flavors | Taste like SweeTarts (according to users) | Orange and Berry | Cherry, Orange and Grape |
| How appealing is the flavor | According to parents, kids adore the flavor and happily take the vitamins. | Parents say that chewables taste good to adults but are less appealing to children. | The gummy multivitamin received more positive than negative reviews regarding taste. |
| Vitamins and minerals | 15 essential vitamins & minerals: Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Thiamin (B1) Riboflavin Folate (B9) Vitamin B12 Biotin (B7) Pantothenic Acid (B5) Calcium Iodine Zinc Selenium Manganese Vitamin K | Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D3 Vitamin E Thiamin Riboflavin Niacin Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Biotin Pantothenic Acid Choline Calcium Iron Iodine Magnesium Zinc Manganese | Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D3 Vitamin E Thiamin Riboflavin Niacin Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Biotin Pantothenic Acid Choline Iodine Zinc Sodium |
| Includes organic fruits and veggies | Organic apple, organic beet, organic broccoli, organic carrot, organic green cabbage, organic kale, organic parsley, organic spinach, organic blueberry, organic raspberry, organic strawberry, and organic tomato. | Food-based Orchard Fruits™ & Garden Veggies™ powder blend | Food-based Orchard Fruits™ & Garden Veggies™ powder blend |
| Dosage | Recommended for ages 2 through mid-teens, taken once daily (1 tablet) | Children 2-3 years of age chew 1 tablet daily Children 4 years of age and older 2 tablet daily | Children 2-3 years of age chew 2 gummies daily Children 4 years of age and older 3 gummies daily |
| Vegan | Yes | n/a | Vegetarian |
| Non-GMO | Yes | n/a | n/a |
| Gluten-Free | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gelatin | No | n/a | No |
| Manufactured in | USA | n/a | n/a |
| Servings per container | 30 tables (1 per day) | 45 servings if 2 gummies are taken 30 servings if 3 gummies are taken | 120 servings if 1 tablet is taken 60 servings if 2 tablets are taken |
| Learn more | Hiya Review |
What Are The Hiya and Alive by Nature's Way
Both of these are well-reputable vitamin manufacturers. Hiya specializes exclusively in kids' vitamins, while Alive has a comprehensive line of vitamin products catering to both adults and children.
Hiya's flagship product, the Hiya Daily Multivitamin, takes the form of chewable tablets and has experienced immense success, commanding a substantial demand in the market. Furthermore, Hiya has expanded its product range to encompass various other supplements designed specifically for children.
Alive by Nature's Way, on the other hand, offers a broader spectrum of vitamin products for both adults and kids. Their kids' multivitamin is available in the enticing form of candy-shaped gummies, providing a tasty and enjoyable way for children to meet their nutritional needs. Additionally, they offer a kids' multivitamin formula that also comes in the convenient form of chewable tablets.
Both brands share a common goal: to provide the best and most essential nutrients for your child's well-being. Whether you choose Hiya or Alive by Nature's Way, you can trust that they are committed to supporting your child's health and development.
Formula Comparison
Let's kick off the comparison with Hiya's multivitamin formula, which boasts an impressive lineup of 15 vital vitamins and minerals.
These nutrients play a pivotal role in bolstering kids' immunity, facilitating their growth, and nurturing their overall development. What truly sets Hiya apart is its composition – it's crafted from an array of fruits and vegetables, to be precise, a blend of 12 organic fruits and vegetables.
Now, shifting our focus to Alive by Nature's Way, their Chewable Multivitamin is equally formidable. It too comes fortified with those crucial vitamins and minerals that growing kids need. But what gives it a unique twist is the addition of their innovative Orchard Fruits and Garden Veggies powder blend. This infusion of real food goodness takes the formula a step further.
On the gummy front, Alive doesn't disappoint either. With 15 essential vitamins and minerals packed into these delectable treats, it's a nutritional powerhouse. And just like its chewable counterpart, the gummy formula features that same Orchard Fruits and Garden Veggies powder blend. What's more, Alive's formulas are designed to provide comprehensive support, spanning eye health, immune health, bone health, and cellular energy.
So, whether you opt for Hiya's organic fruit and veggie-packed multivitamin or Alive's food-based blends in chewable or gummy form, you're giving your child a well-rounded nutritional boost.
In the quest for the right kids' multivitamin, the presence of artificial colors and flavors is a crucial consideration for many parents. Hiya takes the lead in this regard by proudly offering a formula that is entirely free from artificial colors and flavors. This means you can trust that what you're giving your child is a natural and wholesome choice.
Alive's kids' multivitamin, too, appears to align with the preference for natural ingredients. The chewable version, in particular, is flavored using natural orange and berry flavors. This suggests that Alive's commitment to providing a more natural and appealing option for children extends to the avoidance of artificial colors and flavors.
Amount of Sugar
The importance of monitoring sugar intake is well understood, especially when it comes to children. Sugar's detrimental effects on both adults and kids are widely acknowledged. Children, in particular, tend to consume substantial amounts of sugar from various sources like sugary drinks, snacks, and sweets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even advises against giving children under the age of 2 any foods or beverages with added sugars.
This underscores the significance of selecting kids' vitamins with minimal or zero added sugars. Here, Hiya emerges as the top choice, boasting an added sugar content of 0 grams. What makes Hiya stand out is its use of monk fruit as a natural sweetener, renowned for its delightful sweetness that kids adore. Additionally, each vitamin carries a hint of mannitol, a sweetener derived from strawberries and pumpkins, often recommended by dentists for its sweetening properties.
Now, turning our attention to Alive's multivitamins, we find that the gummy version contains 4 grams of added sugar per serving, while the chewable version contains 2 grams of added sugar per serving.
When it comes to added sugar, Hiya clearly takes the lead, making it the ideal choice for those seeking a kids' multivitamin with minimal sugar content. However, if you have a preference for Alive's multivitamins, we recommend opting for their chewable version to mitigate sugar intake while still enjoying the benefits they offer.
Serving Size
When it comes to serving sizes for kids' multivitamins, it's worth noting that many products typically require more than one gummy or chewable per serving. Hiya, on the other hand, simplifies things by offering an all-in-one chewable. This means that a single Hiya chewable is the recommended serving for children aged 2 through the mid-teen years.
Alive's multivitamin formulas, however, have varying serving sizes based on whether you opt for gummies or chewables. For the gummy version, children between the ages of 2 and 3 are advised to take 2 gummies per serving, while those aged 4 and above should take 3 gummies. For the chewable version, the serving sizes are lower, with children aged 2 to 3 recommended to take 1 chewable, and those aged 4 and above advised to take 2 chewables per serving.
It's important to note that both Alive's gummy and chewable multivitamins are explicitly labeled as not suitable for children under 2 years of age.
When administering these vitamins to your child, it's crucial to adhere to the recommended serving sizes specified by each brand. Additionally, it's advisable to be present when your child takes the vitamins to ensure they are consumed correctly and to prevent any choking hazards, especially when using Alive's gummies. Make sure your child thoroughly chews the gummies before swallowing for their safety.
Taste of The Vitamins
The taste of kids' vitamins can significantly impact their willingness to take them regularly, making it a vital consideration for parents. Hiya has garnered positive feedback in this department, with numerous parents reporting that their children genuinely enjoy the taste. In fact, one parent likened the taste to SweeTarts, which suggests a delightful and appealing flavor profile that kids find enticing.
On the other hand, Alive's multivitamins have received mixed reviews regarding taste, particularly for the chewable version. Opinions seem to be divided among parents, with some stating that the chewables taste good for adults but less appealing to children. However, there is a more favorable outlook when it comes to Alive's gummy version, which has received more positive reviews than negative ones in terms of taste.
Ultimately, when considering the taste factor, it appears that Hiya holds an advantage with its SweeTarts-like flavor that tends to be well-received by kids. Alive's gummies also offer a better taste experience for children compared to their chewable counterparts, making them a potentially more appealing option.
Allergen Concerns
For parents who are concerned about allergens and dietary preferences, both Hiya and Alive offer options that cater to a variety of needs.
Hiya's kids multivitamin is a standout in terms of allergen-consciousness. It is non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Additionally, Hiya goes the extra mile by excluding major allergens such as milk, soy, eggs, crustacean shellfish, fish, tree nuts (except for coconut oil powder), and wheat. Their facility is also entirely peanut-free, providing peace of mind for families with allergies.
Alive's kids gummy multivitamin is also a strong contender, as it is free of gluten, dairy, wheat, egg, yeast-derived ingredients, peanuts, and gelatin. It is a vegetarian option, which is suitable for those who prefer to avoid animal-derived ingredients.
When it comes to Alive's chewable multivitamins, they are free of yeast-derived ingredients, gluten, dairy, and wheat, which makes them suitable for those with specific dietary restrictions or allergies.
How Much They Cost
The cost of kids' multivitamins can be a significant factor in decision-making for many parents. Hiya, while offering a quality product, tends to be on the higher end in terms of pricing. When purchased at full price from the official website, Hiya's multivitamin is priced at $30 per bottle, which provides a 30-day supply. However, it's worth noting that Hiya offers discounts when buying multiple bottles, potentially reducing the overall cost per serving.
On the other hand, Alive's kids' multivitamins come at a more budget-friendly price point. The gummy version is available at $20.99, and the chewable version is priced at $19.99 for a bottle containing 120 chewables. When considering the cost in relation to the number of servings per bottle, Alive's multivitamins appear to be a more cost-effective option, particularly if price is a primary consideration.
Ultimately, when comparing the cost of these two options, Alive's multivitamins offer a more budget-friendly alternative, making them an attractive choice for those seeking value for their money.
Abdo is a Zoopy writer who loves spending his free time outdoors, camping, and enjoying the peace that nature brings. He also enjoys fixing things - he's particularly good with electronics. His favorite movie is I Am Legend, and he's fascinated by survival gear and safety.