For many parents, persuading children to eat anything beyond beige favourites can feel like a daily battle. If you’re worried your child is missing out on vegetables, a dietitian-approved supplement costing around 80p a day could offer another option—and it reportedly tastes more like chocolate milk than greens.
A balanced and varied diet remains the best way to support children’s nutrition, but supplements are often considered by families dealing with particularly selective eaters. While many children’s vitamins come as gummies, Hiya Kids Daily Greens + Superfoods takes a different approach.
Made for children aged three to 12, the chocolate-flavoured powder contains 55 whole-food ingredients, including spinach and broccoli. It is mixed with milk or a dairy-free alternative to make a chocolate drink, with the brand promising a way to add greens “without the typical taste of greens”.
The first month is currently priced at £24, down from £48, and includes a reusable tin that children can personalise with stickers. The subscription then renews automatically each month. That works out at approximately 80p per day during the introductory month, rising to £1.60 per day afterwards.
Hiya says its sugar-free formula combines whole-food ingredients with important micronutrients such as magnesium and vitamin D. The company states that these nutrients support the normal function of the immune system, while vitamin D is also needed for normal bone growth and development in children.
Vitamin D is also regarded as an important nutrient during childhood. Paediatrician Phil Boucher, MD, told The Mirror that children over the age of one are generally advised to receive 600 IU per day. He added that youngsters who drink little milk or fortified alternatives may not get sufficient vitamin D from those sources alone.
The issue may be especially noticeable in autumn and winter, when children tend to spend less time outdoors. Dr Boucher explained: “I practice in Nebraska. From October to April my patients are mostly indoors and far away from the sun so vitamin D synthesis in the skin is basically off the table.”
Hiya is not the only brand offering children’s greens supplements. Holland and Barrett sells Little Vitz Kids Super Greens for £34.99. The product combines greens, fruit and other superfoods with 15 essential vitamins and minerals, although it has not yet received customer reviews on the retailer’s website.
Amazon is also currently offering GummyUp+ Kids 11-in-1 Vegetable Gummies at £9.99, reduced from £17.99. The product has a 4.6-star rating and is aimed at children aged five to 12.
Hiya’s wider range has received a 4.9-star rating from nearly 7,000 reviews. A number of parents have praised the Daily Greens + Superfoods powder, with some saying their children enjoy it so much that they ask for it themselves.
One mother wrote: “My youngest daughter has food sensory issues and her appetite is no longer the same. We have tried everything under the sun to get her to eat more veggies to no avail. So happy I discovered Hiya and took a chance because now she asks for her chocolate milk on a daily basis.”
Another parent said their three-year-old had eaten an extremely limited diet since being weaned, consisting largely of chicken nuggets, fries and bread. Describing their concerns about nutrition and the additives found in some products, they wrote: “I came across Hiya through my research, and I like the fact that it is clean.”
They continued: “My kid drinks it every day, and he calls it ‘chocolate milk’. I’m not sure if he is getting all the nutrition he needs but something is better than nothing. I don’t think I’ll even consider anything other than Hiya—the price is worth it.”
Not all feedback has been entirely positive, however. One customer said the powder did not dissolve completely, writing: “It tastes fine, but it doesn’t completely dissolve in liquid even after I warm it up. Clumps in the cup make it undesirable for my kid.”
Another reviewer said their highly selective toddler, who only eats cucumbers after plenty of negotiation, was happy to drink the chocolate shake.
A registered dietitian also shared a positive experience, explaining that her three-year-old has unpredictable eating habits. When she knows her daughter has not eaten enough, she gives her what she calls “special chocolate milk”. According to the reviewer, her child enjoys it, and she also adds the powder to baked goods such as muffins.
She added: “I definitely recommend this for anyone who has picky eaters or picky spouses. While this may not be targeted towards adults, my husband will tolerate this, and he has a very picky palate. As a Registered Dietitian, I absolutely love this. I love that it’s sweetened with Stevia extract rather than monk fruit, sugar or other artificial sweeteners. I have even recommended this for my patients to take or keep in their house for their kids.”
Parents interested in children’s vitamins and supplements can explore Hiya’s range here.
