MAINTAINING BALANCED DIET FOR CHILDREN
How your child eats today will have a striking impact on their life ahead. Providing a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet to children is the basic responsibility of a parent. Nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, calcium, iron and minerals. Your child’s body needs sufficient nutrients from food in order to function properly. These nutrients give children energy to grow, learn and be active.
A healthy balanced diet provides all the essential nutrients for growth and development. Foods containing rich amount of protein, iron, calcium and vitamins should be a part of children’s daily diet. Make sure to add dairy products, eggs, whole grain cereals, nuts, appropriate amount of meat, fish, fruits and green vegetables like spinach to your child’s diet plan. Keep them away from junk food and develop healthy eating habits in them. Children must know how to make beneficial food choices.
You may only need to make a few small changes to improve your child’s nutritional profile and ensure a lifetime of healthy – and pleasurable – eating.
After all, nutrition affects all aspects of childhood growth, development, and health.
This includes:
HOW CAN YOU HELP IMPROVE YOUR CHILDS' NUTRITION?
The problem of childhood nutrition can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re a parent trying to make healthier choices for yourself and your family. Where to begin?
Start with some simple basics.
Choose whole, minimally processed foods. Avoid processed foods that are specifically marketed to kids.
Incorporate vegetables and fruits into kids’ daily diet.
Supplement with vitamins and minerals if needed, but try to get nutrients from a varied, whole-foods diet first.
Help kids regulate their appetite and hunger cues with whole foods and mindful eating.
Take the lead. You’re the parent. Adopt healthy habits yourself, so that kids have a role model for their own behavior!
Adapted from several sources.
