We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Hiya vitamins are all over social media thanks to their whole foods-based ingredients and zero sugar. But are they worth the cost? Here’s my Hiya vitamins review after trying with my toddler.
Despite your best efforts, getting your toddler to eat a well-balanced diet isn’t always possible. Whether you have a picky eater or a wiggle worm who doesn’t stay at the table for more than one or two bites, a multivitamin can be helpful for making sure your child gets their nutrients.
As a dietitian with a 3-year-old, I was instantly drawn to Hiya as a healthier alternative to the gummy vitamins my toddler was regularly taking. Hiya was founded by a dad who wanted to create kids’ vitamins that don’t contain added sugar or artificial additives.
So are they worth it? Yes and no. But keep reading for my perspective as a dietitian and whether my toddler actually liked the products he tried.
- The multivitamin was a great solution for us, and my toddler took it for a year without complaint. He started to get bored after that, but I’d consider resubscribing in the future.
- The Bedtime Essentials supplement ultimately wasn’t helpful for us, but it could be for other kids, and the ingredients seem to be of good quality.
- The greens powder was a great addition to dessert smoothies, and my toddler was a fan.
Pros
- free of added sugar, gluten, dairy, and artificial additives and dyes
- third-party tested for heavy metals, allergens, and pathogens
- sweetened with monk fruit extract
- initial shipment arrives in a refillable glass jar, plus stickers for decorating
- subsequent months shipped in no-plastic refill pouches
- subscription options for households with one to five kids
Cons
- relatively expensive
- not suitable for kids under 2 years old
- requires a subscription
- no omega-3 supplement available
- some kids may have difficulty transitioning away from gummy vitamins
Hiya supplements are formulated with whole food-based ingredients. They’re naturally sweetened with a blend of monk fruit extract and mannitol, a sugar alcohol that provides sweetness but doesn’t get broken down by oral bacteria to form cavities.
In addition to being free of added sugars, Hiya’s products are made without artificial dyes, additives, and preservatives. They’re also free of major allergens and produced in a peanut-free facility.
Hiya’s facilities are
I’m Kelli McGrane, a registered dietitian and cookbook author. I evaluated the ingredients in Hiya’s kid-friendly supplements and tried several of them with my own toddler.
I obtained my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nutritional Science from Boston University.
I have worked has nutrition editor, a clinical dietitian at two Boston hospitals, and a nutrition researcher for the University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital.
I have also worked as a freelance writer and editor for several online publications.
The biggest downside of Hiya vitamins is the price, with most supplements costing $1 or more per serving. Plus, unlike many other brands, you can only get Hiya vitamins by subscribing through the company’s website.
Hiya products are formulated for kids ages 2 years and up. However, because
Finally, it’s worth noting that not every kid needs a multivitamin or other dietary supplement. If you’re unsure of whether your child is meeting their nutrient needs, it’s best to talk with a registered dietitian, pediatrician, or other healthcare professional first.
Important safety concerns
When shopping for kid’s supplements, it’s important to keep in mind that kids metabolize nutrients differently than adults and are more susceptible to nutrient overdoses.
Here are some tips to reduce the risk of vitamin toxicity:
- Purchase supplements that are specifically formulated for your child’s age.
- If they’re taking multiple supplements, make sure to check for any nutrient overlaps.
- Always tightly seal supplement bottles and store them out of reach.
- Follow label instructions for dosing, unless recommended otherwise by a pediatrician.
- If your child is currently taking medications, check with your pediatrician about any potential drug interactions.
While Hiya states that each of its products is designed with limited nutrient overlap, it’s still best to double-check with your pediatrician.
Hiya vitamins are manufactured in a peanut-free facility and are free of major allergens. However, because there’s still a risk for cross-contamination for allergies other than peanuts, the brand might not be the best fit for kids with severe food allergies.
If Hiya feels too expensive or it doesn’t quite meet your child’s needs, there are several other kids’ vitamin companies to consider. Below is a quick look at some of the more popular alternatives to Hiya.
Pricing guide:
- $ = under $0.30 per serving
- $$ = $0.30 to $1.00 per serving
- $$$ = over $1.00 per serving
| Brand | Kids’ products offered | Third-party tested | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiya | • multivitamin • probiotic • bedtime vitamins • iron • greens powder | yes, for purity only | $$$ |
| SmartyPants | • multivitamin + omega-3 • organic multivitamin • probiotics | yes | $$ to $$$ |
| Renzo’s Vitamins | • multivitamin • iron • calcium • single-letter vitamins • probiotics • immunity gummies | yes | $ to $$ |
| Llama Naturals | • multivitamin • pre- and probiotics • immunity gummies | yes | $$ |
| Mary Ruth’s | • multivitamins • single nutrients • omega-3s • probiotics • nighttime formulas • specialty formulas | yes | $ to $$$ |
| Olly | • multivitamins • bedtime gummies • specialty formulas | yes | $$ |
Note that serving sizes or the recommended number of servings per day may vary depending on your child’s age, which may affect the monthly cost of a product.
| Product | Active ingredients | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Hiya Kids Multivitamin | • 15 essential vitamins and minerals • Fruit and Vegetable Blend | • subscription required • only for kids ages 2+ years |
| Olly Kids Multi + Probiotic | • 12 essential vitamins and minerals • probiotic | • 1 g added sugar per serving • gummy vitamins • not vegan-friendly • only for kids 2+ years |
| Smarty Pants Toddler Formula | • 14 essential vitamins and minerals • omega-3 fatty acids | • 2 g added sugar per serving • gummy vitamins • not vegan-friendly • only for kids ages 2 and 3 years (older kid formulations are available) |
Hiya is a subscription-based service that is customizable based on the number of kids in your household.
To get started, you’ll select which products you want to add to your subscription and whether you’re purchasing for one or multiple kids in your household.
The first shipment includes a 30-day supply, a reusable glass bottle, and stickers for your kids to decorate their containers with. Each month thereafter, you’ll receive refills in recyclable pouches.
You can adjust your account online or by emailing the company’s support team. I’ve had to make adjustments to my subscription, and each time I’ve needed help, the company’s support team has been quick to respond and make the requested changes.
Hiya and Olly are both reputable kids’ vitamin brands. However, they differ in the types of ingredients and amount of sugar present in their products.
Hiya vitamins come in chewable tablets rather than gummies and are free from added sugar. They also contain fewer added ingredients and are suitable for kids with peanut allergies.
However, Olly kids’ vitamins are generally less expensive and easier to find online and in stores. They’re also NSF certified to ensure both purity and potency, while Hiya vitamins are only third-party tested for potency.
While there are regulations around dietary supplements, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t approve any supplement brands or individual products.
To ensure quality and purity, Hiya vitamins are manufactured in CGMP compliant facilities, and products are tested by independent labs for heavy metals, allergens, and pathogens.
Hiya vitamins are formulated with high quality, mostly whole foods ingredients and don’t contain any artificial additives, such as dyes, flavors, sweeteners, fillers, or preservatives.
The majority of Hiya’s nutrients are sourced from whole foods and aren’t synthetic. However, some nutrients, like calcium, don’t have food sources listed and could be synthetic.
The brand confirmed the greens powder does not have any synthetic ingredients and said that Hiya tablets consist of whole food ingredients where a natural source exists.
Overall, we found Hiya to offer high quality supplements that are free of added sugar and artificial additives, which are commonly found in other kids’ vitamin brands.
We also liked that supplements come in refillable glass bottles and that each month’s supply is automatically renewed and shipped to your door. Several products even passed the toddler taste test.
Still, Hiya might not be right for everyone. The supplements aren’t cheap, and they’re only available through the company’s website. Hiya also has fewer supplement options compared with several other brands, though Hiya’s product offerings may expand over time.
Whether you decide to try Hiya or opt for a different brand, make sure to talk with a pediatrician before starting your child on any new supplements.
