Nutrition for Kids

As parents, we have been given the awesome gift of caring for and raising our children. And as a parent we want to provide the best for our children. Unfortunately children don’t come with a manual when they are born. No, that would be way too easy. We the parents are left to diligently seek out the truth in the best way to raise our kids. There are many parenting styles out there, but no matter the style, it is important that we understand the one truth when it comes to the nutrition of our children. Our children’s nutrition is essentially made up of 5 important elements. We must make sure that in feeding our children, they receive all the nutrients their bodies require. Simply make sure your child’s diet includes the 5 elements listed below and you will give them the best start in life, the gift of health!

Calcium – Calcium is an essential mineral that is responsible for healthy strong bones & teeth. And calcium deficiencies may result in over 120 different diseases. (Kidney Stones, Osteoporosis, brittle bones, insomnia, leg cramps, & more) Usually kids do not have a great deal of problems drinking milk, but for the ones that do there are other alternatives. Parents can purchase orange juice with added calcium. Calcium fortified cold or hot whole grain cereals, cheese and yogurt are also good choices.

Fiber - Fiber also called “roughage” is needed to promote regularity. Did you know that you should have a bowel movement for every meal you consume in a day? If you eat breakfast, lunch & dinner, you should have 3 bowel movements. If not, you are constipated. Unfortunately this is not a topic that people like to talk about, and sadly because of this countless number of people suffer each day, kids included. I recently was in the emergency room for 4 hours and while there conversed with a nice woman who had brought her 5-year old son in for constipation. This young child was crying that his stomach was hurting and let me tell you, he was miserable. Sadly he had not gone to the bathroom in 3 days and was in bad shape. His mother said that he was eating a lot of sugary foods, colas included. Now this was a sad sight to see, but I tell you this is not the first child to go through this. We as parents must monitor our children’s eating habits and make sure they get the nutrition they need. So, how do you know how much fiber your child needs and what foods to give them? Well, recently the Department of Human Nutrition put out an article that stated the new formula for fiber as well as good sources of fiber. This formula is Age + 5 Simply take your child’s age and add 5 and this is the grams of fiber your child should receive per day.

Protein – This is a critical element and without it, a person can die. Children are no exception. Every one of our cells is made up of protein and so it is essential for proper growth and development. Although animal products are the best source of protein, protein can be found in lesser amounts in other products, like legumes, vegetables & grains. You can make sure your child gets plenty of protein by giving them protein rich foods like meat, poultry, seafood, nuts, beans, dairy products etc. Quick Fact: Carbohydrates provide a quick energy while protein provides a lasting energy. Thus makes it a good idea to start your kids breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast & juice rather than pancakes, French toast or pop tarts.

Antioxidants – To protect the body from free radicals and substances that are harmful to the body’s cells, your child will need to eat antioxidant rich, “super foods”. Good sources of antioxidants are: berries, almonds, spinach, carrots, green peppers & tomatoes. For children who turn their noses up to these types of foods, there is an easier way. I have found the BEST product on the market for a children’s vitamin. This is called DinoPals®. Not only do DinoPals have all the essential vitamins & minerals your child needs, they also contain fruits, vegetables and other super foods that children would otherwise not consume. Take the time to read the DinoPals ingredient list and even compare them to other children’s vitamins on the market and you will be surprised. My child takes these and I have personally tried them. They are chewable and tasted great! And the best part is you know you are doing something good for your child.

Iron – Iron carries oxygen to the blood and helps keep kids energized. Often children’s diets are lacking in Iron and their “energy” is being fueled by sugary foods & junk. It is important to note that one can generally get all the iron they require from their diet alone and that an overdose of iron containing products is the leading cause of fatal poisoning for children under 6. Please keep all supplements out of the reach of your children. Good natural sources of iron in your child’s diet can be found in the consumption of: dark leafy green vegetables, lean meats, eggs, fish, dried fruits, beans and iron-fortified grains & cereals.

Although we parents are learning as we go in raising our children and life may sometimes be difficult & confusing, nutrition doesn’t have to be. If we are diligent and search for the truth in every area we will prevail. We will raise our children with good morals, values & healthy eating habits. It is a good feeling to know that you are providing the best for your child. Be diligent, seek out the truth and your kids will one day thank you for your love.

Personal Note: My son loves fresh fruits & vegetables. (Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapes, Strawberries, Pineapple, Peaches, Tomatoes, Squash, Cucumbers, Red, Green, Yellow & Orange Bell Peppers) As a matter of fact when these fruits or vegetables are placed in front of him with French fries, he will 99% of the time go for the fruits & vegetables first. But don’t be fooled, I do have a hard time getting him to try much of anything else. He likes Spam, Vienna sausages, chicken nuggets, bacon, yogurt and cheese. My son started table food fruits & veggies at 10 months. He did not have his first French fry until he was 12 months old. To this day he prefers the fruits & vegetables to anything else. I guess my point is don’t sweat the nutrition. Just because your child doesn’t like or won’t try new things, doesn’t mean that he/she won’t change their mind at a later time. Just do your best to try and lay a good foundation for the nutrition. You will see that it won’t be in vain.

Tip: When you start your baby on solids, start with cereal & vegetables first, then fruits, then other stuff. When your baby starts table food, start with fresh fruits & veggies. You may be surprised at how your child’s eating habits turn out.

About the Author:Jennifer Englade is the owner of Natures Health Resources and works as a Natural Health Consultant. http://www.natureshealthresources.com/ © 2006

posted at 12:34 AM