There was a time—not too long ago—when food was food. Carrots were grown in rich soil, milk came fresh from the farm, and fish were caught from clean, unpolluted waters. Our grandparents didn’t need to worry about nutrient depletion, pesticides, or ultra-processed meals because food simply… was what it was meant to be.

But today?

Modern food looks the same, but it’s not the same.

Even the most well-intentioned, organic, whole-food-based diets aren’t delivering the nutrients our kids truly need. And it’s not your fault—it’s the way the food system has changed.

So, what happened? Why isn’t food enough anymore? And most importantly, what can we do about it?

Let’s take a deep dive into why our children aren’t getting the vitamins and minerals they need from food alone—and how we, as conscious parents, can bridge the gap.

1. Soil isn’t what it used to be (and neither are our vegetables)

The spinach you put in your child’s smoothie?
The kale you massaged into that salad?
The carrots you somehow convinced them to eat?

They’re not as nutrient-dense as they were 50 years ago.

Studies show that fruits and vegetables have lost up to 50% of their vitamins and minerals over the last century. Why? Because of industrialized farming. (Source: An Alarming Decline in the Nutritional Quality of Foods: The Biggest Challenge for Future Generations’ Health, Foods. 2024)

- Modern farming practices strip the soil of essential minerals.
- Pesticides and fertilizers disrupt natural nutrient cycles.
- Crops are grown for size and appearance—not for nutrition.

This means that even if your child eats their greens, they’re still getting fewer nutrients than past generations.

Solution: While fresh, organic produce is always the goal, we also need high-quality supplementation to fill in the missing gaps—especially for vitamins like magnesium, iodine, and vitamin K, which are naturally found in nutrient-rich soil.

2. Food travels too far to stay nutrient-dense

Most of the food we buy today—yes, even the organic stuff—has been picked before it’s fully ripe, stored for weeks, and transported across the country (or world).

Your apples may have been picked six months ago before they made it to your kitchen. Your broccoli could have lost up to 80% of its vitamin C before you even cook it.

Nutrients start degrading the moment produce is harvested—especially fragile vitamins like vitamin C, folate, and B vitamins.

Solution:

• Prioritize farmers’ markets and local produce when possible.
• Buy frozen organic fruits and veggies (they’re often flash-frozen at peak ripeness, preserving nutrients).
• Supplement wisely to restore the vitamins lost in along the way.

3. Picky eaters (a.k.a. the “spaghetti and nothing else” phase)

Even if food was as nutrient-rich as it used to be, there’s another challenge: getting kids to actually eat it.

We all know the struggle. One day they love avocado toast, the next they “can’t even look at it.” The go-to meal? Pasta. Crackers. Bread. And hummus if you get lucky ;)

And while we can (and should) keep offering a variety of whole foods, the truth is: most kids aren’t getting the full spectrum of nutrients from diet alone.

Common deficiencies in kids today:
✔ Iron (essential for brain development and energy)
✔ Vitamin D (critical for immune health and mood regulation)
✔ Magnesium (needed for sleep, focus, and nervous system balance)
✔ Omega-3s (vital for cognitive function and behaviour)

Solution: Instead of battling through another dinner standoff, bridge the gap with smart supplementation—especially with easily absorbable, liquid vitamins that won’t disrupt mealtime peace.

4. Processed “healthy” foods are still processed

We’re a generation of label-readers, ingredient-checkers, and conscious consumers. But even with all of that effort, many so-called “healthy” foods are still missing the mark.

- Fortified cereals contain synthetic vitamins—not the bioavailable kind.
- “Organic” granola bars are still loaded with refined sugars.
- Dairy-free milks lack iodine and essential fatty acids.

Even when we’re making good choices, we have to ask: Is this food actually nourishing my child?

Solution: Instead of relying on fortified foods with synthetic additives, opt for whole-food-based supplementation with high-quality vitamins and minerals in their most natural, absorbable forms.

5. Stress, screens, and toxins = higher nutrient needs

Our kids are growing up in a world that looks very different from the one we grew up in.

- More environmental toxins (pesticides, pollutants, plastics).
- More screen time (blue light exposure impacts sleep and melatonin).
- More stress and sensory overload (leading to nutrient depletion)

All of this means that kids’ bodies are working harder than ever—and they need more nutritional support to thrive.

For example:
✔ Magnesium is depleted by stress—yet 50% of kids don’t get enough.
✔ Zinc is needed for immune health and focus—but processed foods are zinc-deficient.
✔ B vitamins are crucial for energy and brain function—but modern food lacks them.

Solution: Prioritize nutrient-dense whole foods + targeted, high-quality liquid vitamins to give your child the best possible foundation for growth, focus, and immunity.

Source: The Effects of Psychological and Environmental Stress on Micronutrient Concentrations in the Body: A Review of the Evidence, Advanced Nutrition (2019)

The bottom line: Food matters—but it’s no longer enough

We believe in real food, organic produce, and balanced meals.

But we also believe in science—and the science is clear. Modern food isn’t delivering all the nutrients our kids need. That’s not our fault as moms. It’s just the reality of today’s food system.

The good news? We have the power to do something about it.

- We can choose fresh, local, organic foods whenever possible.
- We can prioritize high-quality, bioavailable supplements to fill the gaps.
- We can be proactive—not reactive—about our children’s nutrition.

Because their health isn’t just about what’s on their plate—it’s about what actually nourishes their growing bodies.