This post is in partnership with Hiya. I only endorse products I believe in.
Ever since we started prioritizing a healthier lifestyle and taking a proactive approach to our family’s health, I decided to add a probiotic into our daily routine. Probiotics can support digestion, improve gut health, and strengthen the immune system, so whether we're dealing with tummy troubles, picky eating or potty training, I know I can turn to probiotics to help keep things running smoothly.
But before introducing any new supplement into our routine, I wanted to make sure we chose the best option. So, I dove into the research on top clean ingredient probiotics for kids and tested the two leading contenders—Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic and Garden of Life. Here’s how they compare.
Criteria #1: Nutrition
When choosing a probiotic, there are several important factors to consider:
- Strain: Every probiotic strain contributes to different health benefits.
- CFU count: Probiotics are measured in colony-forming units (CFU), which indicate the number of live, active bacteria that can provide health benefits. While there isn’t a standardized dose for CFUS, aim for probiotics with 5 to 10 billion CFUs per serving to ensure a sufficient number of viable microbes capable of colonizing in the gut.
- Additional ingredients: Some probiotics contain additional ingredients like prebiotics, vitamins, minerals, or added sugars. Consider whether these additional ingredients align with your child's nutritional needs and health goals.
Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic
- Strain: Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG), Lactobacillus paracasei, and Bifidobacterium lactis to support digestion, gut health, and the immune system. These clinically-studied strains have high survival rates against stomach acidity and remain viable before they reach the intestines, where they can effectively support gut health.
- CFU count: 10 billion.
- Includes prebiotics: Larch tree fiber (prebiotic) serves as nourishment for probiotics to help them thrive and function effectively.
- Added sugar: 0 grams, sweetened with sorbitol and monk fruit.
Garden of Life Probiotic Gummies
- Strain: DE111 Bacillus subtilis and Lactospore (Bacillus coagulans) to support digestive health, gut health, and the immune system.
- CFU count: 3 billion.
- Added sugars: 0 grams, sweetened with stevia.
Nutrition winner: Hiya
Criteria #2: Ingredient Quality
Ingredient quality is important to me because I want to ensure what I'm buying is actually in the bottle. That’s why it's essential to choose probiotic products from reputable brands that have strict quality and safety standards.
Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic
- Third-party tested: Yes. Every Hiya product undergoes rigorous third-party testing for heavy metals, microbials, and other contaminants to ensure compliance with federal and state safety standards, as well as California’s Proposition 65.
- Clean Label Project Certified: Yes. The Clean Label Project evaluates products for things like pesticides, heavy metals, and other yucky stuff that should never be in our kids’ vitamins. A supplement with this certification means it’s been rigorously tested and approved—so you know it’s clean, safe, and high-quality.
- Hiya'a manufacturing facilities are FDA-registered and comply with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
- Hiya also conducts visual inspections for any mishaps during production and each Hiya supplement bottle is third-party tested for contaminants like lead and cadmium.
- Free of: GMOs, gluten, dairy, artificial colors and flavors, and gummy additives.
Garden of Life Probiotic Gummies
- Third party tested: Yes.
- Certified USDA organic.
- Free of: Gluten, dairy, soy, and GMOs.
Ingredient winner: Hiya
Criteria #3: Taste & Form
Probiotics for kids come in various forms, including chewable tablets, powders, gummies, and liquid drops. I prefer chewables because they don’t stick to the teeth as much as gummies and have a less candy-like appearance.
Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic
These chewable vitamins come in two deliciously sweet flavors (without any added sugars!)– Tropical Burst and Super Berry.
Garden of Life Probiotic Gummies
These gummy vitamins come in a sweet cherry flavor.
Taste and form winner: Hiya
Criteria #4: Cost
Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic
$30/bottle, or $1/dose.
Garden of Life Probiotic Gummies
$31.99/bottle, or $1.06/dose.
Cost winner: Hiya
Hiya Kids Probiotic is my pick for best kids probiotic!
Choosing Hiya Probiotics was an easy decision for us. I love the ingredients and feel confident in the quality and safety. Plus, there are absolutely ZERO added sugars!
✅ 10 billion CFUs of probiotic strains that support digestion, gut health, and the immune system.
✅ Includes prebiotic fibers to nourish probiotics.
✅ ZERO grams of added sugar.
✅ Third-party tested and rigorous manufacturing standards to ensure quality and safety.
✅ Chewable form and delicious, kid-approved taste.
✅Received Clean Label Project’s highest certification, the Purity Award.
Get 50% off your first purchase with code NMM50
Author
