Gummy vitamins have expanded far beyond kids’ supplements, with many boasting claims like “excellent source” and “powerful blend of essential nutrients.” But are these candy-like supplements worth it? Yes, but not always. Read on for a list of recommended gummy vitamins as well as options you should avoid.

Top picks for gummy vitamins

Nordic Naturals Zero Sugar Vitamin D3 Gummies

1000 International Units Vitamin D3 (125% daily value)
Per one-gummy serving: 5 calories, 0 grams sugar
Other ingredients include: Soluble tapioca fiber, pectin, citric acid, fruit and vegetable juice (color), sunflower oil, carnauba wax. Sweetened with xylitol.

Nordic Naturals Children’s DHA Gummies

Per one-gummy serving: 10 calories, 0 sugar
600 milligrams omega 3s: 145 mg EPA; 355 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). (The typical recommended adult dosage for omega 3’s is 1,000 milligrams.)
Other ingredients include: Purified deep sea fish oil, gelatin, paprika extract, stevia, canola oil, stevia, sorbitol, xylitol

Nordic Naturals Zero Sugar Curcumin Gummies

Per two-gummy serving: 15 calories, 0 sugar
200 milligrams curcumin extract (typical dosage 500 milligrams)
Other ingredients include: Prebiotic fiber, pectin, natural flavor, sunflower oil, carnauba wax

Adora Rich Dark Chocolate Calcium Supplement

Per one-disk serving: 30 calories, 2 grams sugar
500 milligrams calcium (50%), 13 micrograms vitamin D (65%)
Other ingredients include: Chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla extract

OK picks for gummy vitamins

Olly The Perfect Women’s Multi

Per two gummy serving: 50% to 100% of most vitamins and minerals
250% vitamin B12; 500% biotin
Other ingredients include: Glucose syrup, beet sugar, gelatin, fruit and vegetable juice for coloring, pectin, vegetable oil, carnauba wax

Worst picks for gummy vitamins

Nature Made Collagen Gummies

Per one-gummy serving: 5 calories, 1 gram sugar
100 milligrams collagen (0.1 gram; standard dosage is 10 grams)
Other ingredients include: Tapioca syrup, cane sugar, pectin, added color, natural flavor, coconut oil, carnauba wax

Digestive Advantage Daily Probiotics Kids

Per two-gummy serving: BC Bacillus Coagulans (a lactic acid–forming bacterial species used similarly to lactobacillus and other probiotics) GBI-30: 500 million colony-forming units (CFUs)
Other ingredients include: Corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, pectin, colors from fruits and vegetables

To schedule a nutrition consult, whether virtually or in-person, contact us at nutrition@ochsner.org or call us at 985-898-7050.

One A Day VitaCravings Teen Gummies

Per two-gummy serving: 15 calories, 3 grams sugar
62% to 83% of most vitamins and minerals
8% calcium
100% vitamin B12 and biotin
Other ingredients include: Glucose syrup, sugar, gelatin, Blue #1, Red #40, Yellow #5

Viactiv Calcium Milk Chocolate

· Per one-chew serving: 15 calories, 1 gram sugar
500 milligrams calcium (50%), 500 IU vitamin D (63%), 40 micrograms vitamin K (33%)
Other ingredients include: Sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated coconut oil, corn syrup solids, cocoa, sweetened condensed milk (milk, sugar)

Editor’s note: Registered dietitian Molly Kimball offers brand-name products as a consumer guide; she does not solicit product samples nor is she paid to recommend items. A version of this originally appeared on WGNO’s “Get FUELED with Molly” segment.