3 Hearty Soups for Cold Weather (And for the Soul), Plus a Guide to Kids' Vitamins

The days are shorter and the nights are chilly, the perfect combination to huddle up against the fireplace to stay toasty and warm. Thick blankets and heating pads are great, but there's a better way to stay cozy during the colder months: filling, hearty soups.

Warming up with nutritious soups is one of the best ways to stay warm and full during cold weather, especially when sniffles and the flu are just around the corner. It's also one of the easiest ways to get your little food critic to eat more vegetables without turning dinner into a negotiation.

Packed with vegetables, protein, and other nutritious ingredients, homemade soups can help kids get more of the vitamins and minerals they need for healthy growth. And for parents wondering whether their children are getting enough nutrients, we'll also cover what to look for when choosing the best multivitamin for kids.

3 Tasty Recipes to Try With Your Kids

Alphabet Vegetable Soup

By: Maryea from Happy Healthy Mama

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons organic butter
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 1 russet potato, diced
• 1 sweet potato, diced
• 1 cup cauliflower florets, cut into small pieces
• 2 quarts (8 cups) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, not drained
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup alphabet pasta (or other small shape)
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• 1 cup frozen sweet corn

Instructions

1. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, potatoes, and cauliflower, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring a few times during that time. Add the broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and pepper.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover the soup, and cook another 20 minutes. Stir in the pasta and cook 5 more minutes. Stir in the peas and corn and cook about five more minutes, until the peas and corn are heated thoroughly.

Chicken and Stars Soup

By: Ali from Gimme Some Oven

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small white onion
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups good-quality chicken stock
• 2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup uncooked stelline (star-shaped pasta)
• Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Optional garnishes: freshly grated Parmesan, lemon wedge, and/or chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the chicken stock, chicken, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes, and stir to combine.
2. Continue cooking until the broth reaches a simmer. Add the pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until it is al dente. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Taste and season the soup with salt and pepper (and/or additional herbs) as needed. Serve warm with your desired garnishes and enjoy!

15-Minute Tortellini Soup

By: Coco Morante from Simply Recipes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped (or 2 teaspoons jarred or frozen minced garlic)
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes and their liquid
• 1 (10-ounce) package refrigerated tortellini
• 2 packed cups baby spinach, optional
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, fresh chopped parsley or basil, for serving, optional

Instructions

1. In a medium (2 to 4-quart) soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and garlic over medium heat. When the garlic begins to bubble around the edges, add the Italian seasoning and sauté until aromatic, another 30 seconds or so.
2. Stir in the broth and tomatoes and let the soup come up to a boil. (Covering the pot will speed up this step; just take a peek every couple of minutes.) Add the tortellini to the boiling soup and cook according to package instructions until tender, usually 5 to 7 minutes.
3. During the last minute of cooking the tortellini, stir in the fresh spinach (if using) and let cook just until wilted. Taste the soup and add salt and pepper to taste, if needed.

A Side of Extra Vitamins: When Kids' Vitamins Make Sense

Even if your soup is packed with nutrients from fresh vegetables, getting kids to eat a varied diet isn't always easy. Some children have strong food preferences, while others go through phases when they'll only eat a handful of familiar foods.

A balanced diet should always come first, but children with certain nutritional gaps may benefit from supplements recommended by their pediatrician. That's why parents often look for the best multivitamin for kids to complement their children's everyday meals.

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What Is the Best Multivitamin for Kids?

The best multivitamin for kids is one that suits their age, dietary needs, and any nutritional gaps identified by a healthcare professional. Rather than choosing a supplement based on the number of vitamins listed on the bottle, parents should look for age-appropriate amounts, transparent ingredient labels, and products that have undergone independent quality testing.

Kids' Vitamins and Minerals Worth Watching

Some vitamins and minerals worth paying attention to include:

• Vitamin A: Supports normal vision, immune function, and growth.
• Vitamin C: Helps maintain healthy tissues and supports normal immune function.
• Vitamin D: Supports calcium absorption and healthy bone development.
• B vitamins: Help the body convert food into energy and support normal growth and development.
• Iron: Supports healthy red blood cells and cognitive development, although not every child needs supplemental iron.

Children who eat a varied, balanced diet generally get the nutrients they need from food. However, kids with restrictive diets, certain medical conditions, or diagnosed nutrient deficiencies may need additional support.

For parents exploring convenient options, Dr. Moritz Kids Multivitamin Gummies can be considered alongside other age-appropriate children's supplements. Gummies may appeal to children who have difficulty swallowing tablets, but parents should check the label, follow dosing instructions, and speak with their pediatrician before adding any supplement to their child's routine.

Can Kids Take Multivitamins Alongside a Healthy Diet?

Yes, when there's a reason to supplement and the product is appropriate for the child's age and needs. However, a multivitamin shouldn't replace nutritious meals or be used as a substitute for fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains.

Whole foods provide fiber and other beneficial nutrients that multivitamins cannot fully replicate. A bowl of vegetable soup, for example, offers a combination of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber that contributes to overall nutrition.

Think of children's multivitamins as an option for addressing specific dietary gaps rather than something every child automatically needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kids' Vitamins and Multivitamins

Make Cold-Weather Meals Something to Look Forward To

Don't let dinnertime become a nightly negotiation this season! Try one of these hearty soups (or make all three) and discover your family's new cold-weather favorite.

Whether it's alphabet pasta, star-shaped noodles, or cheesy tortellini, a warm bowl of soup can make nutritious ingredients more appealing to little eaters. Keep experimenting with flavors and vegetables your kids enjoy, and remember that building healthy eating habits takes time.

And if you're concerned about nutritional gaps, talk to your pediatrician about whether a children's multivitamin could be helpful.

Which recipe will be your family's new favorite slurp?

Sources

• Happy Healthy Mama. Alphabet Vegetable Soup
• Gimme Some Oven. Chicken and Stars Soup
• Simply Recipes. 15-Minute Tortellini Soup
• National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Multivitamin/mineral Supplements: Fact Sheet for Consumers
• American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Where We Stand: Vitamin Supplements for Children