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Since you are here, chances are you have received your fair share of solicited and unsolicited nutrition advice. We’ve all been there. It is okay to worry about what your child is eating because nutrition plays a crucial role in children’s development. In addition to good physical build, well-fed children also show more robust cognitive development compared to others.
As a mom, I know first-hand that every mother wants the best for their children. So, I compiled this article to point you in the right direction concerning your child’s nutrition. Keep reading!
- Vitamins
Vitamins are Santa’s little helpers. They are necessary for all-round growth and development. Just as the types vary, so are the functions, but each is just as important. The most essential vitamins for kids are Vitamins A, B, C, and D. Vitamin A is mostly found in vegetables and helps to boost the immune system as well as protect the skin. Vitamin B plays a critical role in energy distribution. It is a good thing they are very easy to find. Vitamin C is very crucial to your child’s cognitive development and overall immune system. This is typically gotten from fruits like oranges. Lastly, your kid needs a healthy dose of vitamin D for proper bone development. You can find them in egg yolks and dairy products.
- Electrolytes
Also known as minerals, electrolytes are super important for both children and adults. In fact, deficiency in a single electrolyte brings severe consequences. For example, iron deficiency can lead to anemia and delayed cognitive development in children. Calcium is yet another important electrolyte that must be present if you want your child to grow strong. It is basically responsible for bone health. That’s not all. Magnesium is also lauded for its role in maintaining a healthy heart. Zinc strengthens your child’s immune system against infections, and potassium is important for proper functioning at the cellular level.
- Proteins
Proteins ought to be a compulsory part of your child’s diet since it regulates everything about growth. This is why I don’t recommend extreme diets like vegan diets for kids. This is a crucial time in their development and they need loads and loads of proteins. Otherwise, you are setting up your child for delayed or stunted growth and development. Worse, insufficient protein can lead to kwashiorkor. Good sources of proteins include poultry, dairy foods, fish, meat, beans, eggs, and nuts.
- Omega-3 Fats
Irrespective of what you may have heard about fats, I want to emphasize that not all fats are bad. In fact, good fats like omega 3s are responsible for energy storage in both kids and adults. Their functions are limitless as they are known to aid proper absorption and usage of other nutrients. Don’t cheat your child out of these important nutrients. Simply look out for good fats.
- Healthy carbohydrates
Although I support cutting down on carbs and watching your weight, I have raised enough children to know that carbohydrates are just as important as any other nutrient – if not more. They literally supply energy and facilitate the proper functioning of other nutrients.
Adults can significantly reduce carbs, but please feed your kids carbs. They need it for all-round growth and development. A good way to enjoy the benefits of carbs without struggling with excess sugar is to stick with healthy carbs. This is present in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
- Water
Most parents understand the place of nutritious food in children’s growth and health, but somehow fail to realize that water is an essential nutrient too. The body requires constant refills otherwise nothing works well. You can think of other nutrients as a nice car and water as the gas that keeps the engine running. Without gas, your nice car isn’t going anywhere. This is why a healthy level of hydration must be maintained at all times. This is important for both kids and adults. Don’t sleep on it.
Final words
Left to them, children will happily feed on ice cream all day. That’s why it is your duty to help them maintain a balanced diet. You are doing a great job already. All you need is to find fun ways to introduce these vital nutrients into your child’s diet. You’ve got this!
