An honest mom’s review of kids multivitamin showdown: Hiya vs. Olly
I try my best to be that parent who serves my child healthy food. But let’s be honest here… as a full time working mom I can’t always do it all (although weekly meal prep certainly helps), and sometimes macaroni and cheese, fish sticks, chicken nuggets and pizza are more convenient and better for my mental energy (some days I can’t take the fight with my toddler) than preparing that gourmet healthy meal you see other children eating so graciously on Instagram.
That’s why incorporating a multivitamin became part of our routine as soon as Caden turned 2. And in typical fashion, I did thorough research to ensure the ingredients and nutritional supplements I was providing to him were top notch. My research brought me to two main players: Hiya Kids Multivitamin and Olly Kids Multivitamin. So I decided to put them to the test to see which multivitamin is the best. Here’s the results…
Criteria #1: Ingredients
Hiya
Hiya is made with ZERO added sugar. The ingredients sourced are non-GMO, organic, vegan, gluten-free and dairy free. Hiya uses a natural form of folate (B9) instead of synthetic folic acid. Since these are not gummy vitamins, you won’t find any of the gummy junk in this list (gelatin, pectin). I love the transparency into the manufacturing process: Hiya is made in a highly compliant facility in the US and is 3rd party tested to ensure no trace amounts of heavy metals, allergens or pathogens are found in the vitamins. Score: 5/5
Olly
Olly vitamins' first 2 ingredients are sugar and glucose syrup, leading to a total sugar amount of 2g. They are gelatin based, and processed in a facility full of allergens (soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, fish, shellfish, wheat and sesame). They are NSF certified meaning you should be able to trust what the label says. The ingredients list is exactly what you’d find on a pack of gummy bears. Score: 2/5
INGREDIENTS WINNER: HIYA
Criteria #2: Nutrition
Hiya
Hiya contains 15 vitamins and minerals and a blend of 12 fruits and veggies to fill some of the most common nutritional gaps in kids’ diets. It also includes Selenium, which is an essential mineral often left out of childrens’ multivitamins. Score: 4/5
Olly
Olly contains 12 vitamins and minerals. Also, the Olly includes a *very* small dose of probiotics. The amount (500 million CFUs) is so small you should consider giving your child an actual probiotic to supplement this if you really want to support gut health and digestion. For reference, most probiotics measure CFUs in the billions. Score 3/5
NUTRITION WINNER: HIYA
Criteria #3: Taste
To test this, I asked my 3 year old Caden his opinion, but I did also try these myself.
Hiya
Hiya vitamins taste like SweeTarts. Instead of added sugar, they use monk fruit to deliver a tasty chewable tablet kids love. Caden enjoys licking his vitamin like a lollipop before chewing it – “yummy.” Score: 5/5
Olly
The Olly vitamins taste like gummy candy. They used to have a sugar coating, but the brand is in the process of removing that. With 2g of added sugar, there is no debate that children love eating these. Score: 5/5
TASTE WINNER: TIED HIYA & OLLY
Criteria #4: Cost
Hiya
No matter if your child is age 2 or 8, the dosage of Hiya remains 1 tablet. Hiya supplies 30 days of vitamins at a time through a subscription service, with pricing decreasing per unit the more children you purchase for. If you are purchasing vitamins for 1 child, the cost is $1 per vitamin. If you are purchasing for 2 children, the cost is $0.93 per vitamin.
Olly
If your child is between 2 and 4, the dosage of Olly is 1 gummy. Also, if your child is over 4, the dosage of Olly is 2 gummies. For a younger child, the cost comes to $0.23 per gummy vitamin. For older children, the cost comes to $0.45 for 2 gummies.
COST WINNER: OLLY
And the winner of the best kids multivitamin is… Hiya
Competing with the ingredients in Hiya is near impossible. Hiya wins this battle hands down with its honest, organic ingredients and no added sugar. I also am a huge fan of the convenience of the subscription model (just another way to simplify your life) and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the eco-friendliness of the packaging which is designed in a reusable glass, child-proof bottle. The cost is minimally higher but with it you get MUCH better ingredients, nutrition- and peace of mind!
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Disclaimer: I am not a pediatrician, certified nutrition specialist or dietician. All statements here are my own opinion and you should always consult a medical professional regarding your child’s health and wellness regimen.
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