How important is healthy eating in Children? Physically, the body of a child is quite different from that of an adult. Because of this, it is sometimes hard to understand that is not a baby adult. Because children are growing and developing, they also do have their own nutritional requirements. For proper growth and development, giving children nutritionally dense food is an important option to consider as parents.
What are the nutritional demands of a child? A child body does not require just food but also nutrition. In a report by kidshealth.org, out of three children, one is either obese or overweight. Allowing children to eat fast and processed foods rather than vegetables, fruits, and other whole foods is handing them a ticket towards having weight issues in the future. Healthy eating is vital. However, if the nutritional needs of the child are unmet because of high fat and sugary food instead of nutritional food, the tendency of children not able to perform effectively at age-appropriate levels becomes high. Notably, children have a higher metabolic rate, requiring additional caloric intake than adults. Conversely, this intake of calories must be consumed with caution.
What food should children avoid? The truth is that the immune systems of children are underdeveloped, which is why they are prone to infections. When considering their diets, it is imperative to know what must be included or not to avoid illness. Certain processed foods contain white flours, white sugars, food colorings or artificial sweeteners, which can make the body become weak. Besides this, these food have offered little nutritional value for the growth and development of the child. Therefore, eliminating junk foods by replacing it with whole grains, vegetables, and fruits will help in boosting their immune system.
General Guidelines for Children Because their bodies are constantly growing and couple with their underdeveloped immune system and high metabolic rates, eating healthy food is not an option to consider. The calorie and energy needed for each child will vary. For instance, from 0-1 years old babies require 850 calories each day. Those from 1-6 years require 1,300-1,800 calories each day while from 7 years upward needs about 2,000 calories per day. This is only an average amount because
children performing in sports activities may require higher energy and calories. Additionally, PediaSure for babies is also helpful especially for babies who weigh below their age. Whether we like it or not, children need healthy eating. Healthy eating may vary from one person to another. Nevertheless, healthy eating as agreed by experts includes adequate intake of water and protein for growth and cellular repairs. Additionally, children’s diet also requires enough calcium, iron, and vitamin D to help strengthen the blood. Furthermore, magnesium and zinc are essential to help support their underdeveloped immune system. Importantly, all of these nutritional requirements are possible by following a diet high in fruits, grains, vegetables, and meats. Author’s Bio Eric Kay in this article expounds on the importance of healthy eating for children. He further advocates the importance of PediaSure for babies and important food for children to avoid by boosting their immune system.