Importance of Child Nutrition
Raising children
is a not exactly a walk in the park, and dealing with them effectively on a
daily basis can be considered a good test of one’s patience and endurance.
But the onerous
task of getting them to eat the right kind of food deserves to be included on
the popular BBC Three TV show, World’s Toughest Jobs.
A mother would
know.
So would a
teacher, who has been given the additional responsibility of ensuring children
eat the right kind of food in school.
Children today are
spoilt for choice when it comes to food. In
the good old days, mothers gave their children just two choices - take it or
leave it!
And mothers
ensured children ate the right kind of food - the ones that met all their
nutritional needs and never the ones that just filled them with useless
calories devoid of any nutritional value.
In the present
times, children’s diet is not getting the kind of attention it deserves for
various reasons, which are mostly socio-economic in nature.
But, why is there
so much fuss about food and why is it necessary to be fussy about the kind of
diet children should adopt?
There are enough
reasons to ensure your child eats right. Consider these:
- A well-balanced diet is essential
for normal physical and mental development of your child.
- Obesity is a real and worrisome
challenge the world is facing today. It can lead to heart disease and diabetes
in the long run, not to mention the emotional and psychological problems.
- A nutrient-deficient diet weakens
immune system and consequently, the ability to fight diseases.
- Prevalence of dental cavities in
children is a direct result of consuming sugar-rich junk food.
Balanced diet is a diet
consisting of the proper quantities and proportions of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and
water necessary to maintain good health.
● What
to eat: Green Leafy
Vegetables, Whole Grains, Fresh fruits, Lean Meats, Poultry, Nuts, Eggs, Fish
etc.
● What
to avoid: Candy, Aerated
drinks, Deep-fried Food, Food with Colouring Agents and Preservative.
Finally, a
nutritious diet works well when it is complemented by physical exercise and
high standards of personal hygiene. For instance, brushing teeth and rinsing
mouth every time after eating can keep dental cavities away. Drinking plenty of
water is recommended too.
Do consult your
doctor for expert medical advice on your child’s diet.