NUTRITION AND YOUR CHILD

Your child is growing by leaps and bounds, so it should go without saying that the foods they consume can be of ample benefit to their mind and body, or they can as well cause deficiencies, mood swings, sluggishness, and health problems. Your child’s nutrition is of the utmost importance and giving your child healthy eating habits early enough can be of great benefit to your child for both the short-term and for the future.
   Have you heard of childhood obesity? its serious and could pose a huge problem to your growing child. Therefore it’s never too early to start your child eating a healthy, balanced diet. It’s amazing how what your child eats can either help or harm your Child’s health. Here are some tips to support good nutrition in your little one.

While busy parents might forget to eat first thing in the morning (or turn to coffee to get that burst of energy) growing children should not skip out on breakfast. Making sure they have a hearty protein-rich breakfast will help them stay fuller longer. Yogurt or eggs can be a great source of protein. Couple that with whole grains and some veggies and you have the ultimate, energized breakfast.

Letting your child to participant in choosing their meal is a great way to let them stay healthy, let them choose their favourite fruits and vegetables, you both could plant a garden together and show them how to take care of it. You both could also cook meals together and enjoy time with the family, this will help them know about nutritious benefits and why certain foods are good for them. Telling your child what to eat all the time is far more challenging to having them eat what they want, for children don’t really understand for themselves why certain foods are good for them. Therefore let them Participate!

Okay, we know it’s impossible to prevent your child from ever consuming sugar (after all, what’s a birthday party without the birthday cake?); however, you should limit how much sugar your child consumes each day. Keep sodas, sports drinks, desserts and the likes out of the house to prevent temptation. Sure, these treats aren’t that bad for you when consumed sparingly, but we all know the negative effect sugar has on our physical and mental health. If you have questions about your child’s nutritional habits or their health, it’s important that you have a pediatrician that you trust to provide you with the comprehensive and understanding care you and your little one needs

BY SOPHIE AIGBOMIAN.