Lauren Manaker is an award-winning registered dietitian-nutritionist and MegaFood Brand Ambassador, with a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition.
Introduction
It’s back-to-school season, and with it comes the hustle and bustle of new routines, packed schedules, and plenty of goals for both kids and caregivers. As a registered dietitian and mom, I know how important it is to set the foundation for wellness during this time of year. Along with getting enough sleep, staying active, and hitting the books, proper nutrition plays a key role in supporting immune health, cognitive function, and overall energy levels.1
That said, meeting all of your family’s nutritional needs through diet alone can sometimes be a challenge, especially during busy school days. This is where the right supplements can step in to help fill the gaps and provide extra support when life gets hectic.
Here are my top tips for starting the school year strong, plus some of my favorite MegaFood products to help your family thrive.
Setting the Foundation for Wellness at the Start of the School Year
The start of the school year is the perfect time to establish healthy habits that will carry your family through the months ahead. Kids need the right nutrients to stay focused in class, keep their immune systems strong, and maintain energy for after-school activities. For parents and caregivers, staying healthy and managing stress is just as important; after all, you’re the ones keeping everything running smoothly!
While a balanced diet is always the goal, let’s face it: life gets hectic, and sometimes it’s hard to ensure everyone is eating enough fruits, veggies, and whole foods. That’s where supplements can step in to help bridge the gap. They’re not a replacement for healthy eating, but they may also provide extra support when you need it most.
There is no shortage of supplement choices available to us. Among the sea of options, I choose to lean on certain MegaFood supplement options, because they are made with quality ingredients, tested for over 150 pesticides, and are third-party tested.
Here are some of my top-picks for back-to-school season.
Dietitian-Approved Nutrition Tips for Back-To-School
Multis for Everybody!
A good multivitamin is one of the easiest ways to cover the basics for the whole family, especially when busy schedules make it hard to get all the nutrients you need from food. I like MegaFood’s multivitamins because they’re thoughtfully formulated for different life stages and needs, and they’re made with real food ingredients, which is a big plus for me.
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For Women: MegaFood Women’s One Daily Multivitamin is a great option for women. It is formulated for absorption & bioavailability(1), thanks to the ingredients used to make this supplement. Some reasons why it is such a stand-out multivitamin include that it provides:
- Immune support with Zinc & Vitamin C†
- Bone health support with Vitamin D3†
- Cellular energy metabolism support with B Vitamins†
- Helps replenish Iron lost during menstruation with 9 mg of Iron per serving†
- Made with 22% more total nutrients than the leading natural brand(2)
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For Men: MegaFood Men's One Daily Multivitamin is also formulated for absorption & bioavailability(1). Like the MegaFood Women’s One Daily Multivitamin, this multivitamin provides immune support with Zinc & Vitamin C†, supports muscles and bones with Vitamin D3†, and offers energy metabolism support with B Vitamins†.
- This supplement contains 24% more total nutrients than the leading natural brand(2), and it is crafted with 21 nutrients plus real food!
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For Kids: MegaFood Kids One Daily Mini Multivitamin is a great choice for little ones who might not be eating a wide variety of foods yet. It provides immune support with Zinc & Vitamin C†, supports as well as support for healthy muscles and bones with Vitamin D3†, and it supports cellular energy metabolism support with B Vitamins†.
- Pro tip: MegaFood also makes a chew or gummy form if your kiddo does not like swallowing pills!
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For Expecting Moms: MegaFood Baby & Me 2™ Prenatal Multi is a solid choice for pregnant moms who want to support their own health and their baby’s development. It includes key nutrients like Vitamin D3, Zinc, and B Vitamins.
- This prenatal multivitamin also offers 2.5x more brain supporting choline than the natural leading prenatal brand(3)!
Immune & Energy Support for Kids
Kids are exposed to all kinds of germs at school, so supporting their immune health is a top priority. I also find that many kids (and even teens) can benefit from a little extra energy support, especially during those long school days.
- Kids B Complex Minis: These are formulated with all eight types of B vitamins, and therefore, they help convert food into cellular energy†. They also support cognitive health with Vitamin B6†, support nervous system health with Vitamins B1 & B12†, and they are delivered with nourishing real foods†.
- Elderberry Immune Support† Gummies: This supplement supports immune health and response†, thanks to the 400 mg of Elderberry & 6 mg of Zinc per serving. It is made with real food including wild blueberries & ginger root, contains only 2 grams of sugar per two-gummy serving, and it comes in a delicious berry flavor. Bonus? It is made with Pectin – no gelatin or high fructose corn syrup!
Energy Support for Adults, Parents & Teachers
Let’s be honest; parents and teachers need energy just as much as kids do (if not more!). Whether you’re juggling work, school drop-offs, or endless to-do lists, these supplements can help you stay energized and focused.
- Extra Strength Methyl B12: This supplement contains a whopping 3,000 mcg Methyl B12 per serving plus 200 mg of beetroot. This combo helps convert food into cellular energy†, supports normal red blood cell formation†, helps reduce fatigue for those low in Vitamin B12†, supports brain and nervous system function & healthy aging†, and helps support a healthy mood(4)†. This supplement may be especially helpful for people who might not be getting enough B12 from their diet, like vegetarians or older adults.
- Blood Builder™ Iron Supplement: If you’re feeling fatigued, this iron supplement may be your secret weapon, as it combats fatigue & improves energy levels†. It delivers a gentle and effective 26 mg of iron per serving†, and it includes real food like beets & organic oranges, plus folic acid & B12 for healthy red blood cell production, and vitamin C to support iron absorption†. I especially like it because it’s gentle on the stomach. In fact, in an 8-week clinical trial, it has been shown to increase iron levels without common gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea or constipation†.
- B12 Energy Gummies (Cranberry): This delicious gummy helps break down food into cellular energy your body can use†, supports cognitive & nervous system health†, and helps support normal red blood cell formation†. In a nutshell? This gummy gives your body’s B12 a boost with tasty cranberry gummies formulated with bioavailable Methyl B12†.
Stress Relief Support for Parents & Teachers
Back-to-school season can be stressful, but there are ways to support your body and mind during this busy time. These supplements are some of my favorites for promoting relaxation and managing stress.
- Relax + Calm† Magnesium Soft Chews - Grape: These grape-flavored chews are a fantastic choice to help relax the body & promote a sense of calm†. It is crafted with Malate and Citrate, two highly absorbable forms of Magnesium, and it comes in a delicious grape flavor.
- Ashwagandha Complex (Stress Protect†): This supplement provides clinically studied stress support with adaptogenic Ashwagandha†, which is one of my favorite adaptogens for managing stress. It helps your body adapt to stressors and promotes a sense of calm, which is so helpful during busy times.
Final Thoughts
Starting the school year on the right foot is all about creating healthy habits for the whole family. From eating a balanced diet to incorporating the right supplements, there are plenty of ways to support immune health, energy, and stress management.
If you’re looking for high-quality supplements to help your family thrive this school year, check out MegaFood’s Back -To -School collection here. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and successful school year!
References:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/php/about/index.html
CDC. “About Nutrition.” Nutrition, CDC, 5 Jan. 2024, www.cdc.gov/nutrition/php/about/index.html.
(1) Based on the use of mineral chelates, D3, absence of large molecules (Ca & Mg)
(2) Compared to the leading natural health food store multi brand's once daily multi
(3) Based on leading prenatal brand in Total Dollar Sales, Total US MULO, 52WE 02.24.24 273% more choline than leading prenatal brand. 300mg of choline per serving vs 110mg per serving.
(4) Adequate Vitamin B12 status helps support a healthy mood