The Children’s Multivitamin System is Broken. Raffe Healthy Kids is on a Mission to Fix It

Despite progress in modern healthcare, children’s health and nutrition still need to receive the attention they deserve, especially compared to adults. This became clear to Lydia Simmons after trials to supplement her kids’ growing developmental and behavioral needs with a multivitamin left her to find greater nutritional gaps in her kids’ diets. Quickly discovering that the market options were not only neglectful but also lacked a sustainable balance between sugar, fruit, and vegetables, Simmons took action. After growing tired of dealing with daily sugar crashes and dental issues, Lydia set out to create a true nutritional partner for parents and their children, Raffe Healthy Kids — the first sugar-free, vegetable-forward, multivitamin, and prebiotic all-in-one. As we approach the new year and discuss new habits to live well,, Black Love spoke with Lydia about how she is driving the prioritization of pediatric wellness, the technology and innovation she is using to mitigate parents’ suboptimal buying decisions due to overwhelmedness, and how parents can reinvest in their children’s nutrition through Raffe.

Yasmine Jameelah: How did this amazing and necessary brand come to life?

Lydia Simmons: The genesis of Raffe Healthy Kids (Raffe) is tied to my experiences in motherhood. After many trials of using multivitamins to supplement my children’s growing developmental and behavioral needs, I recognized that many of the options available at retail not only left me to discover greater nutritional gaps in their diets but also revealed the products’ severe imbalance of sugar, fruit, and vegetables. Unable to find a solution, I created a true nutritional partner for all parents and their children – Raffe Healthy Kids. Through Raffe, we take an intentional approach to reimagining children’s nutrition and well-being. Not only creating the first vegetable-forward, children’s multivitamin, and prebiotic but also supporting parents with the tools, resources, and information to do better and choose better for kids everywhere.

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Yasmine Jameelah: I love how Raffe highlights this important fact, which is as adults we’ve now begun to prioritize health and wellness now more than ever gut health included. Can you share why proper gut health is also important for children?

Lydia Simmons: Gut health is crucial for children as it is central to their overall well-being and development. It has been scientifically proven that a healthy gut allows our kids to absorb more nutrients from their food. According to a peer-reviewed study published in the medical journal, JAMA, ultra-processed foods currently make up nearly 70% of what kids eat, making gut health particularly important now more than ever. The trillions of bacteria that reside in our gut are essential to children’s physical and mental health as well as their ability to defend against illness and disease. Symptoms of a poorly functioning gut include stomach aches, inadequate nutrient absorption, weakened immunity, poor sleep, mood swings, and general fatigue – all of which can have a detrimental effect on children.

Understanding the nutritional deficiencies our youth are inherently facing today, Raffe has intentionally developed a comprehensive vitamin that includes prebiotics, making it easier for parents and kids to follow a daily nutritional routine while also optimizing the potential health benefits. 

Yasmine Jameelah: Children’s vitamins are often filled with sugars, how does Raffe stand out?

Lydia Simmons: A typical children’s vitamin contains about five grams of added sugar. These vitamins are often composed of artificial ingredients, dyes, unhealthy preservatives, and fillers that can be detrimental to the growth and development of children. Additionally, the chewy texture of gummy vitamins coats children’s teeth, creating a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria. Raffe has stepped in to demystify the marketing gimmicks and prioritize information transparency to provide the ultimate solution parents need to activate clear and clean nutritional support for their children’s health and well-being.While some children’s vitamins may contain added sugars and unnecessary artificial additives, it doesn’t necessarily mean they lack nutritional value. Ideally, children should get their nutrients from a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources. Raffe’s goal, however, is to promote nutritional adequacy and encourage children to appreciate vegetables. We prioritize innovation, access, and clean,vegetable-dense vitamins for families.

Yasmine Jameelah: How can parents have discussions with their children about vitamins and wellness? 

Lydia Simmons: An important part of Raffe’s mission is to help parents cultivate a positive relationship between kids and their bodies. We understand that wellness is not solely about what we eat but also about nurturing our mental and emotional well-being. Having discussions with children about vitamins and wellness is crucial for instilling healthy habits early on. Using visual aids, such as pictures or diagrams, can help make the concepts more tangible and engaging. Relating the discussion to the child’s interests, whether through their favorite activities, characters, or hobbies, is another effective strategy to capture their attention and make the information more relatable. Through engaging educational materials like The Little Almanac, Raffe provides resources, tips, and guidance that aim to empower parents and children to make informed choices and develop lifelong habits that prioritize their overall well-being.

You can count on Raffe Healthy Kids to stay guided by our real-life understanding of the Family-Centric Approach. We acknowledge the challenges you face in ensuring your children receive optimal nutrition. We recognize the difficulties you encounter, not only in providing nutritious meals but also in persuading your children to consume them and affording the more nutrient-dense options. At Raffe, we understand the intricate balance between the struggles of parenthood and the fundamental need for comprehensive nutrition in your child’s development. We empathize with the strife you go through – from the desire to offer excellent food to your children to the challenge of making it affordable and enticing for little ones.

To shop and learn more about Raffe visit heyraffe.com.