HEALTHY NUTRITION FOR CHILDREN
There is every possibility that most children will go for junk foods especially during this sit at home/holiday period instead of healthy foods. Parents often overlook these healthy foods and go straight to what they think are more” kid-friendly foods” such as; pizza, French fries, fizzy drinks, cookies etc.
Research has proven that children between the ages of 2 and 12 years grow fast and need to be fed right. During these growing years, foods that supply protein, calcium, iron and vitamins are critical to their growth and development. These nutrients are present in the major food groups- such as grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy and protein foods.
A healthy diet can have a profound effect on a child’s sense of mental and emotional wellbeing, support a child’s healthy growth and development into adulthood, stabilize the mood, sharpen the minds and prevent certain health problems.
It is important to remember that children are not born with craving for fizzy drinks and junks, this happens over time as they are overly exposed to more unhealthy food choices. it is however possible to re adjust the children to crave for healthier foods.
Tips for instill healthy eating habits in Children
- Parents should encourage healthy eating habits: Children develop natural preference for food they enjoy the most, so make nutritious choices appealing.
- Focus on overall diet rather than specific foods. Children should be eating more whole meals and less processed food.
- Be a role model for your child by making healthy choices.
- Cook more meals at home rather than restaurant meals which have more added sugar and unhealthy fat.
- Get children involved in shopping and preparing meals, this will enable you to teach them about different foods and how to read food labels.
- Make healthy snacks available such as; fruit, vegetables, healthy beverages like milk, pure fruits juice even water so children don’t load on unhealthy snacks at all times.
- Limit portion sizes, don’t insist your child finish up always.
