The diets of children play an
integral role in their health and learning ability,
in fact, a nutritious and balanced diet is the most important thing to ensure
that your child has a head start toward a healthy life. Providing your child
with a healthy eating foundation can correct nutritional deficiencies, help to
ward off illnesses and set up good eating practices for life.
In providing good nutrition for
children, there are a range of foods that can act as super-foods, providing a
higher content of vital nutrients, making them ideal for your child's
development and growth.
Oily fish
is a great super food for children. The brain is made from omega-3 fats - found
in high quantities in oily fish - and needs them to be replenished regularly.
Fatty acids also play an important role in memory, brain function, and heart
health, and have been proven to help children who have behavioural and learning challenges.
Good examples of oily fish include mackerel, salmon and tuna.
Fruits and
vegetables should form a large proportion
of any diet, whether child or adult. Eating a wide variety of different colored
fruit and vegetables provides the human body with lots of different beneficial
plant compounds that all work together. All fruits and vegetables are rich in
vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, and provide a healthy foundation to the
diet. Oranges, apples and kiwi fruit are especially high in Vitamin C, helping
to ward off colds and are a good source of calcium, essential for healthy
bones.
Generally fruit and vegetables that
are fresh, in season and preferably organically grown, are higher in nutrients.
Also, the darker the colors, for example dark green or deep red, contain more
substances that are beneficial for health.
berries, in particular, are a
superfruit that provide the highest levels of antioxidants of any food per
serving. blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are packed full of
antioxidants, as well as Vitamin C and fiber, and protect the cells of the body
against damage. Berries can be pureed for babies and cut in half for young
children.
Dairy
products such as milk, cheese and
yoghurt are great sources of calcium and protein, key ingredients for strong
bones and teeth, as well as other vitamins and minerals, so are ideal foods for
little ones. Yoghurt also contains helpful bacteria that prevent stomach
infections and gastrointestinal problems. Buy natural yogurt with live bacteria
and no added sugar - you can sweeten it with pureed fruit or honey to make it more
appealing.
