Why Healthy Eating is Necessary for Your Kids
Healthy eating for our children is vital. They require the necessary nutrients and vitamins for them to develop. A lot of children are suffering from poor concentration levels, anemia, depression, malnutrition and much more. Which is devastating, however, these conditions can be prevented by just leading healthier lifestyles.
We all know how difficult it can be to get your little ones to eat their greens. So always make their dishes look exciting and get creative! Try and make their dishes as colorful as possible, this will attract them and get them to assist you with preparing meals.
Contents
Breakfast for Children
We all know the saying ” breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. This is, in fact, true and vital for kids. Children should have a portion of the fiber in the mornings (bread or cereals), a glass of milk and at least one fresh fruit of their choosing.
School Lunch and Snacks
Peanut butter makes an excellent snack. Replace fried chips and unhealthy snacks with a fruit salad or yogurt. A health muffin would also be good and pleasurable for kids. Almonds and nuts are excellent choices as these are brain foods.
Dinner
Lean meats, chicken or fish with a vegetable as a side dish. And even a vegetable soup. Serve fruit juices or water as beverages. Avoid processed foods and fast foods. As a dessert, you can serve a fruit salad or any healthy dessert or fruit cakes.
Why Eating Healthy is Necessary
Children’s bodies develop extremely fast. Therefore they require more nutrients. Their bones and teeth need calcium, for them to strengthen. Also, ensure that they get enough water to avoid dehydration. Iron is also vital as this prevents iron deficiency anemia. Iron assists with producing oxygen in the body. With a lack of iron, it causes low concentration levels.
Unhealthy and fatty foods lead to obesity at an older age, with obesity comes more detrimental conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and arthritis. With a lack of healthy foods, mental illnesses have become an increasing problem among children and teenagers. Their brains also require a sufficient amount of good brain foods, for the brain cells to develop. With brain, damage children are at risk of speech problems, bad memory, and other neurological disorders.
Here’s a breakdown of what your child requires daily
Protein
- Lean meat
- Eggs
- Fish
- Nuts
- Poultry
Fats
- Cooking oils
- Fish
- Mayonnaise
- Meat
Carbohydrates
- Potatoes
- Pasta
- Rice
- Crackers
- Breads
- Cereals
Calcium
- Tofu
- Ice cream
- Cheese
- Milk
- Spinach
- Yoghurt
Iron
- Red meats – beef and lamb
- Liver
- Whole grains
- Poultry
- Shellfish
- Beans
- Iron cereals
Fiber
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Seeds
Vitamin A
- Carrots
- Squash
- Apricots
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
Vitamin C
- Citrus fruits
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Melon
- Mango
- Cauliflower
- Papaya
