I've slowly but surely stopped giving my fish flakes pretty much altogether, but I want to know if that's okay for them??

I used to get brine shrimp in a lil cup for them for a treat once a week, but that was back when i just had the 12 gallon tank. Now with a 50, 35, 12, 6 and 5 gallon, we've taken to going once a week to the LFS and getting a big bag of shrimp that we keep in a spare 3 gallon tank with an airstone. They LOVE it, and i cant help but think its good for them. I also put a leaf of lettuce in each tank for the snails about every other day, and some of the fish LOVE that, others dont.

Do they HAVE to have flake for vitamins or minerals or something?

Not necessarily. If you are feeding them a varied diet with veggies, and the shrimp (as you mentioned), you're prob doing a good job. You didn't mention what else you feed your little ones, but I am sure you are providing them a great diet.

In addition to gel food, brine shrimp and blood worms, I include omega one pellets. After investigating this site, I have seen that is one of the preferred pellets.

I would probably give flakes still at the very least in with gel food , just to cover my basis... but then I am a worrier

I am feeding my gf Pro Gold once a day and for a snack every other day I include spirulina flakes. Do you guys think this is a good diet or would you add more to it?

It's a good diet. Too much of it will be bad though. Remember vary their food. Add vegetables like tomatoes, spinach, peas, carrots or fruits like canteloupe, grapes.

My little guy LOVES tomatoes! Just make sure you only give them the fleshy part - not the skin or the seeds