The Benefits Of Healthy Eating For Children

Providing your children with a nutritious diet can help them grow up to be healthy adults. By making the right food choices at a young age, they can learn how to make healthier decisions later in life. 

Supports Muscles 

Proper nutrition is vital to supporting a child’s muscles and bones so they can move around without being cramped or tired. This is especially important in the growing years, when the body is at a particularly rapid growth phase and strong muscles are crucial for walking, talking and other daily activities. A balanced diet should include a variety of fruit and vegetables, starchy foods (bread, pasta, rice, cereals), legumes, nuts and seeds. A good mix of these foods will provide your children with the nutrients they need to grow, develop, and learn while keeping them healthy and happy along the way. 

Helps Achieve And Maintain A Healthy Weight 

Choosing nutrient-dense foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meats, fish and low-fat or fat-free dairy products, helps children achieve and maintain a healthy weight. They also get the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly. 

Keep fruit in the fridge to eat throughout the day. Encourage kids to eat healthy fats, such as vegetable oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds. Avoid fried foods, and rely on healthier cooking methods, such as grilling, roasting, broiling, or steaming. Limit salt intake by replacing butter, cooking margarine and cream with vegetable oils, spreads, nut butters or pastries, and using low-salt salad dressings. 

Strengthens Bones 

Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D in the diet along with exercise and physical activity can help keep bones strong throughout childhood and adulthood. Dairy products are often promoted as the primary source of calcium, but other fruits and vegetables have been shown to improve bone density. Oranges, for example, are high in calcium and are an excellent source of potassium, which reduces the loss of calcium. Vegetables also contain Vitamin K, which stimulates bone formation. 

Supports Brain Development 

Healthy brain development starts during infancy and continues through childhood, affecting how well kids learn, pay attention, control impulses, anticipate, plan, and make decisions. Proper nutrition for children supports this critical process. In particular, adequate levels of certain nutrients, including protein, iron, zinc, folate, choline, omega-3 DHA and EPA and iodine have been shown to positively influence the developing brain12-14. 

Boosts Immune System 

When it comes to kids, the right diet plays a crucial role in building their immunity as it helps them fight off infections and disease. Children need to consume fresh fruit and vegetables every day, and they should also include poultry, meat, fish, whole grains, beans, and lentils in their diet. Nuts and seeds are another good source of protein. They should also avoid sugary foods like cakes, cookies, and packaged fruit juices. Too much sugar can suppress the immune system.