MyChildHealth » Nutrition

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:27:30 +0000

Iron is a major mineral necessary for the health of any individual whether child or an adult. Iron is present in each red blood cell as hemoglobin. This carries oxygen from lungs to tissues which is necessary for them to function properly. Lack of iron or inadequate quantity of iron supply results in iron deficiency or anemia and is a very common nutritional deficiency in children in almost all parts of the globe.

The human body needs iron to produce haemoglobin. Inadequate supply of iron results in limiting the production of haemoglobin and consequent red blood cells production. This decreased quantity of red blood cells and haemoglobin in blood is called anaemia. Anaemia or iron deficiency does not develop instantly. In a healthy person first the process of iron depletion starts. At this stage the iron in the body is reduced, however the iron in red blood cells remains constant. If corrective steps are not taken it results in anaemia.

Causes of iron deficiency anemia in children

Several factors could be responsible for iron deficiency in children. These could be:

Unbalanced diet or diet with insufficient quantity of iron.
Poor absorption of iron by body.
Blood loss, may be due to intestinal bleeding or menstruation in case of girls.
Rapid growth of the child.

A diet with insufficient quantity of iron is a major cause of anaemia world wide. Due to poverty of parents children are unable to get a diet from which their body can absorb adequate quantity of iron. During the initial period of the growth cycle of an infant more iron is needed, children drinking formula milk get adequate quantity of iron as the milk is formulated to provide all inputs to the child. When the child starts cow milk, say after the age of 12 months, he may not get sufficient quantity of iron from milk. This could result in retardation of growth and, in acute cases the child may begin to suffer from learning and behaviour problems.

Symptoms

If the child is iron deficient he will look pale and sick and will develop signs of fatigue very fast even after short exercise of game, the appetite will decrease and he will get irritated quickly. If such behaviour is noticed in the child a visit to the doctor is necessary. After physical examination the doctor will suggest blood test of the child. A simple test of haemoglobin will tell about the existence of iron deficiency.

Iron supplements

A child between the ages of 1 and 12 years every day need 7 to 10 milligrams of iron. Adolescent boys should get 11 milligrams of iron per day and adolescent girls need 15 milligrams of iron per day. The best source of iron for a kid of any age is natural produce. It is easy for the body to absorb iron from meat as compared to the plant food. Red meat, dark poultry, tuna and salmon fish, and eggs are a rich source of iron for non vegetarian kids. In case of vegetarians eating beans, peas, dry fruits, leafy vegetables and iron fortified breakfast cereals could fulfil the need of iron in the body.

In case of deficiency in addition to the food rich in iron, the doctor will suggest iron supplements available in the form of tablets and syrup. It is the duty of the parents to follow the instructions of the doctor properly and administer the desired dose at regular intervals. These supplements accompanied with proper diet will help remove deficiency fast and the child will have a normal development cycle. There is nothing much to worry if the precautions are taken during pregnancy and early childhood.

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children is a post from: MyChildHealth

What is Malnutrition in Children?

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:03:27 +0000

Often children from affluent families desist from eating regular meals and prefer to eat snacks at odd times. Due to this untimely eating they are not hungry at meal times and there is complaint of the mothers that the child does not eat a proper meal. The child generally gets adequate calories and nutrients from whatever he eats throughout the day. There should be no reason to worry if the development of the child is normal. A thin and active child is better than a chubby and lethargic child. If the child is developing well there should be no reason to worry for the mothers. The point of worry about the malnutrition of the child should be if the doctor tells you that the child is undernourished and less developed as compared to the children of his age.

Hunger and malnutrition, though used together for some children, have different meanings. Hunger is a signal generated by the brain that food is needed and the stomach is empty. Once we eat food and the stomach is full, there will be no signal of hunger and wanting to eat something. In contrast, malnutrition is not like hunger. There is no direct signal to the human brain about malnutrition. However consequential effects may be an indicator. A child or an adult person may be eating enough food but may suffer from malnutrition.

A child suffering from malnutrition is more likely to get sick as compared to other children living under the same conditions. Malnutrition is a major cause of child mortality throughout the underdeveloped world. As per UN estimates more than one billion people suffer from hunger and malnutrition. If one happens to watch TV clips of people living in parts of Africa you will understand the meaning of hunger and malnutrition.

Causes of malnutrition in children

Lack of healthy foods: When a child is born he needs adequate quantity of food with nutrients for him to grow and develop properly. Due to non availability of adequate quantity of nutritious food to the child he lacks development. In certain cases the child gets food to fulfil his hunger but the food has no nutritional value, again resulting in malnutrition. Inadequate quantity of food made available to a child results in malnutrition but making available adequate quantity of food which is not balanced does not mean that there will be no malnutrition.

Medical reasons: It is also possible that though the child is getting adequate nutrition, he may be suffering from malnutrition. This could be due to some medical reason. These type of cases need to be properly investigated by medical experts. A child might be suffering from a disease called celiac which is an intestinal problem which is triggered by protein called gluten found in wheat and barley. Similarly the body of a child suffering from cystic fibrosis finds it difficult to absorb nutrients as the pancreas get affected by this disease. A child may suffer from malnutrition due to being lactose intolerant. Such a child is unable to digest milk which is a major source of calcium and other minerals in majority of cases. Deficiency of iron is another form of malnutrition worldwide. This deficiency results in an anaemic child whose regular growth and development is hindered.

Malnutrition during pregnancy of a lady has an adverse impact on the proper development of the foetus. The child born to such a woman may be underweight and in worst cases may have lesser chances of survival. Malnutrition of women during pregnancy is a major reason of child mortality in the underdeveloped world. Different deficiencies result in different birth defects.

Signs and effects of malnutrition in kids

Malnutrition of any kind hinders the normal growth and development of both body and mind of the kid. The deficiency of a particular nutrient has a different effect on a particular part of the body. Some of the symptoms of malnutrition are fatigue and feeling of tiredness, improper development of immune system resulting in frequent sickness, dry skin, bleeding gums and unhealthy teeth, muscular weakness and improper growth reflected by the kid being underweight and short in size as compared to the parents and other people of the community. In case of inadequate availability of calcium the child may suffer from fragile bones. Learning deficiency is a major symptom of malnutrition.

In case of affluent families it is easy to treat malnutrition in kids. With all the medical advice available and healthy food substitutes the child will be normal soon, the only thing being that he will need adequate attention. In case of children suffering from malnutrition due to poverty precautions need to be taken by parents. It is not that only high priced food is nutritious. Balanced food should be given to the child to ensure proper development.

What is Malnutrition in Children? is a post from: MyChildHealth

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Fiber Supplements for Children

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:34:03 +0000

For a person to remain healthy and spend a good life it is essential that he takes a healthy diet and maintains a balance between physical exercise and rest. The practice of eating healthy food should start right from the childhood which will help set a practice for the whole life.

Fibre is one of the essential ingredients of food. Fibre is a plant substance which the human body is unable to digest and it helps digestion and prevents constipation. Fibre is present in grains, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables. It is necessary that adequate quantity of fibre should be part of the meals for proper digestive system. It has been found that many children resist intake of items of food rich in fibre and for them the doctors recommend dietary supplements in the form of bran tablets. Many laxatives given to children are basically fibre supplements. The importance of consumption of fibre can be judged from the fact that heart association of America has recommended that a child of 3 years should intake at least 19 grams of fibre per day. This requirement of fibre for the body increases as the child grows older.

Children who consume more milk, yogurt, cheese and refined grains, though considered healthy by their parents, lack adequate intake of fibre and generally complain of constipation. Fast food, which is becoming more and more popular with children these days, is rich in fat and made from refined stuff. It lacks fibre and is not considered good for the health of the child. It is the duty of the parents to plan food of the child in such a manner that fibre intake is adequate.

The best part is that fibre is filling and discourages overeating in people of all ages. With the increasing problem of obesity, which is spreading like an epidemic in the developed world, consumption of fibre which is low on calories or rather calorie less could be an option. High fibre food helps roughage move smoothly through the digestive system. Roughage helps in reduction of LDL cholesterol and prevents diabetes. Fibre with adequate liquid intake helps prevent gut cancer.

High fiber foods and diet for children

The first meal the child will take before he goes to school or even preschool is breakfast. Many breakfast cereals are available in the market which will help provide necessary inputs to the body. Oatmeal is the best option for breakfast not only for the children but the whole family. For change of taste and to rotate food, make some dish of whole grain cereals. You can make pancake from whole cereals with berries and raisins. The child will love to eat them and will get the necessary input. Wherever possible add a spoon full of bran to the breakfast item of the child.

For lunch and dinner you can make a number of fibre rich things for the child. If you make sandwiches remember to use whole grain brown bread. Multi grain bread is also available in the market. Serve it with peanut butter and bananas. If you make a dish of rice for the family, use brown rice instead of polished rice. Ensure that green salad is a part of at least one meal every day. You can serve green salad with or without topping with dinner. Green salad can include ingredients like carrot, cabbage, broccoli, radish lettuce and tomatoes. This will be easy to digest and can be enjoyed with soup made from fresh vegetables.

There could be a number of other fibre rich healthy dishes you can make for the child or the family as a whole. You can discuss with other friends and family members as to what they cook that is liked by kids. You can also surf the net and find a variety of dishes you can make for change.

High fiber fruits

Fruit salad is generally liked by children of all ages. In salad you can put pear, apple, banana, berries and oranges. Add a small quantity of dry fruit like almonds etc. Whenever possible do not remove the skin of fruits and vegetables used in salads, just wash them properly. This dinner can be repeated may be for two days in a week. Fix alternate Sundays for fast food so that the child does not feel that he is not allowed eating outside.

If the child is not accustomed to this type of food earlier, do not try to change eating habit overnight. Slowly try introducing fibre rich dishes to the dining table and as and when possible discuss the benefits of these items of food on the health. Persuasion is better than forcing.

Fiber Supplements for Children is a post from: MyChildHealth

Fat Requirements for Children

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:25:55 +0000

Fat is one of the ingredients of food consumed by any individual whether child or adult. Theories have changed over time about the necessity of consumption of fat and consequential effect on the human body. Fat consumed by an individual is converted by the body into energy necessary for active life. It is a fact that if fat is consumed and not converted into energy, it gets stored in the body, resulting in obesity. Despite the fear of obesity, it is necessary that fat is a part of the diet of each child. The quantity differs from child to child. Under similar circumstances girls will require lesser quantity of fat as compared to boys.

Researchers have pointed out that fat should be an integral part of the balanced diet of toddlers and children as they burn more fat than adults, while doing the same amount of physical work or in relation to the amount of energy used. Sufficient quantity of fat should be a part of the diet of a child so that the child has natural growth and development. Giving low fat and low sugar food to children is not a good idea but excess of it is also bad.

The food of the child should have a balance of fat and nutrients. These inputs will be used by the body to build tissues and hormones. Healthy development of tissues is necessary for proper development of the brain and nervous system. Fat also provides necessary fuel to the body to maintain activity. Excess intake is stored by natural action for use at a time when there is deficiency in intake. This should never mean that excess of fat is consumed for future use, as this is a cause of obesity from which the developed world is suffering and obesity is spreading like an epidemic.

The source of fat for kids and teen aged children are desserts and snack food. These items contain adequate quantity of fat. Similarly, whole fat milk given to children provides the body necessary quantity of fat. Though in small quantities, fat is also used in domestic cooking. Children should be encouraged to eat home cooked food as it is a rich source of fats, vitamins, minerals and proteins.

Good facts about fat

Fat helps absorption of vitamins from the food we eat. Vitamin A, D, E and K are fat soluble. These act as building blocks for hormones. When a child eats food containing fat along with vitamins, these gets absorbed and used for the development of the body, tissues and nervous system.

Fat helps a child get a feeling of fullness and reduces the quantity of food intake, or rather prevents overeating. Fat provides double the number of calories to the body as compared to carbohydrates. This is the reason for the experts to suggest a balanced fatty food intake by kids as energy is required for overall development of the child.

Classification of fats:

Fats which a child eats can be broadly classified into three parts. These are:

Unsaturated fat is provided to the human body by the edible plants and fish. This fat is good for a healthy heart. Unsaturated fat can be monounsaturated fat found in olives, peanuts etc. Polyunsaturated fat is found in vegetable oils used for cooking and omega 3 fat found in some varieties of fish like tuna and salmon.

Saturated fat is found in meat and animal extracts like milk, cheese and butter. Saturated fat directly results in increase in blood cholesterol which is bad for arteries and heart. Other sources of saturated fat are coconut and palm oil used for commercial cooking purposes and these should be avoided for the children.

The third type of fat is Trans fat. This is found in abundance in snack food and fast food available in market. This is created when oil is hydrogenated. Like saturated fat trans fat also increases the level of cholesterol in blood. In the developed world it has been made mandatory to mention on the packaging the existence of trans fat in packed food. This should be avoided and the child should be discouraged to eat fast foods.

The quantity of fat required by a child differs from a child to child. Parents should keep in mind that food or fat intake does not result in the child gaining excessive weight. Food with a lot of exercise and outdoor games will help the child during future life.

Fat Requirements for Children is a post from: MyChildHealth

Egg Allergy in Children

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:57:49 +0000

Medical science has discovered that people can be allergic to certain things. Some people are allergic to different items of food, some are allergic to dust, pollen and certain weather conditions. Different allergic reactions have different effect on different humans.

Some kids are allergic to eggs or egg white. This does not mean that the allergic reaction will occur only if they eat egg. It could be due to eating many other things like cakes, cookies and muffins in which egg has been used while making them. If the child is allergic to egg the parents should ensure that he is not given eggs or eatables made using egg. However, the good news is that in most cases concerning kids, this allergic reaction goes by the time the child is of 5 years of age. The allergic reaction may occur within a short time of eating the egg, or in some cases, it could appear even after a day or so.

Causes

Generally in case of kids, the immune system is not fully developed and is not capable enough to handle egg protein. The antibodies present in the immune system start to fight against the protein of the egg resulting in problems. In case the child is allergic to egg and he eats egg or something which contains egg, the immune system of the body releases a number of chemicals to fight egg proteins. These chemical could react on different parts of the body. They could react on the respiratory system, or the digestive system, or cardiovascular system of the body. The skin is one which is affected the most.

Symptoms

The child will feel sick or develop body rashes after eating egg. The reaction could continue for a few hours but after the reaction is over the child will be normal. Some of the symptoms of the egg allergy are rashes on skin, flushing of skin, belly cramps with pain in abdomen accompanied with nausea and vomiting and itching, difficulty in breathing when the respiratory system gets affected and some kids may have low blood pressure and breathing rate may accelerate. In some severe cases the child may develop anaphylaxis, a strong reaction from egg. This causes swelling in the mouth and in the air pipe making it difficult to breathe. The child could become dizzy and may enter a state of shock.

Treatment and prevention

It is advisable to visit the doctor if some reaction is noticed and he will refer the child to a specialist who will prescribe some medicines and the child will be normal soon. General enquiry from the allergy expert will be like the time taken between eating egg and appearance of allergic reaction and the family history of allergies, not only from egg, but also from other food items. The test of allergic reaction of egg on the child is quite simple. A small quantity of egg liquid is placed on the skin extracted from the body of the child and the doctor notices the reaction. If some rash develops or the skin turns red, necessary medication is recommended. Blood samples may also be got tested for antibodies developed with egg.

The best treatment is to avoid eating the substance which causes allergy. The child should refrain from eating egg or substances in which egg has been used while cooking or making. The doctor will also prescribe medicines which should be kept handy and administered if the child gets a reaction if he accidentally eats something containing egg in some friend’s birthday party or somewhere else.

Egg Allergy in Children is a post from: MyChildHealth

Types of Calcium Supplements for Children

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:18:00 +0000

When children are growing up, starting from the time right after birth, they need certain essential nutrients for healthy development of the body as a whole. Different parts of the body have requirement of different inputs which includes minerals, vitamins etc. Calcium is the most essential input which any kid should get for healthy development of bones. As per the researchers, requirement of calcium is the maximum at the time the child starts to grow as it gets stored in bones for use during later part of life. Adequate intake of calcium results in healthy bones, gums and teeth. Inadequate intake of calcium during the developing stage may result in osteoporosis during old age.

Kids of different ages have different requirement of calcium. Children up to the age of 3 require 500 mg of calcium per day, those from 4 to 8 require 800 mg of calcium per day, while beyond 8 and up to 18 requires 1300 mg of calcium per day. Milk is the best and natural source of calcium required for humans. A glass of standard milk measuring 8 oz has about 250 mg of calcium. Depending upon the age of the child, the parents should make the child drink sufficient quantity of milk.

Some children, due to a variety of reasons, may not be able to consume the desired quantity of milk and other dairy products. The reason could be allergic reaction of the body to milk and milk products, or intolerance to lactose. In case of a large population of the world the children are unable to drink milk due to financial constraints of parents.

A study conducted on child health has revealed that children fed on a diet with adequate calcium are healthier than the children deficient in calcium. These children have improved bone density and lesser chances of bone fractures. With the spread of awareness of this fact amongst the parents, calcium supplement manufacturing industry has become a billion dollar industry. Many varieties of food for kids with added calcium are available in stores with attractive labels and delicious flavours, some often with fancy price tags. Due to impact of advertisement, parents buy these products to ensure that their children are healthy.

It is a fact that absorption by the body of natural sources of calcium is better than that found in supplements. Being a crucial mineral necessary for bone strength, calcium rich food becomes an essential part of the diet. The first effort should be to serve calcium rich food. In addition to milk products, vegetables like broccoli, spinach and beans are rich in calcium and should form part of the diet plan. Eating plenty of vegetables will also provide much needed fibre and improved digestive system. The body environment will become lesser acidic, acidity makes the bones brittle.

Other items of food rich in calcium are nuts, wheat bran, cheddar cheese, oranges, grapes, yoghurt and soya milk. While buying calcium fortified foods, ensure to check the label. The food supplement should be according to the age of your child. Three types of natural food supplements are available which being rich in calcium, high in calcium and excellent source of calcium. It will be better if you consult the paediatrician before going in for a particular variety.

Tips for healthy children in respect of calcium intake and absorption are:

Do not let children consume too many soft drinks. These contain phosphates which bring down the calcium level in the body.
Food and food supplements, if required, should be rich in calcium and manganese.
Check the packaging and content label before buying any product.
Avoid overdose of calcium as it may result in headache, dizziness, tiredness and in extreme cases mental depression.

Types of Calcium Supplements for Children is a post from: MyChildHealth

Best Natural Sources of Calcium for Kids

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:09:32 +0000

Research has established that calcium should be an important part of the food we eat. Kids up to the age of 8 need about 800 mg of calcium per day where as those above 8 and up to 18 require 1300 mg of calcium per day. For children milk is the natural and most important source of calcium. In the case of those who are unable to consume milk due to any reason there could be other substitutes.

Calcium, along with exercise, helps development of healthy bones. In case of calcium deficiency, the bone density will be low resulting in osteoporosis and fractured bones especially in case of girls. Absorption of calcium is the maximum at the age of puberty as such this is the time when consumption should be adequate or deficiency will continue for the remaining part of life.

The following foods are a rich source of calcium for any human being, especially children, who require it the most:

Dairy products: Milk, yogurt, tofu and cheese
Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, beans and peas
Fruits: Oranges
Beans: Almonds, peanuts, black beans and baked beans
Fish: Salmon and other varieties
Misc: Sesame seeds, blackstrap molasses and brown sugar.

While buying food stuff meant for children, look for the contents mentioned on labels. If your children are not fond of milk you can give them fruit yogurt, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese or milk shake which children normally love to drink. Cheese rich pizza will be liked by children. They will not only eat to their full but will also get to eat cheese which contains calcium.

In addition to milk, a large number of food brands are available which have food fortified with calcium. They are made especially for children and the additives make them tasty to the liking of the children. You can try them, some of the calcium fortified foods are:

Calcium fortified breakfast cereal include whole grain foods, total Raisin Bran, Total Cranberry Crunch and Total Honey Clusters which fulfill the requirement of calcium for the kids.
Calcium fortified orange juices are available in stores which children are likely to drink easily.
For the children who do not like dairy milk or are allergic to dairy products, calcium fortified soya milk is a very good option.
Oatmeal is generally fortified with calcium supplements. These can be a very good breakfast item for the children.
Children will love to eat English muffins. These can be a rich source of calcium for them. Calcium fortified bread is also available in the market.

In addition to cereals, vegetables like broccoli and spinach are a good source of calcium. Make it a habit to serve salads with each meal. This way the child will not only get adequate supply of calcium but also sufficient quantity of roughage which will keep the digestive system healthy. A number of recipes can be tried using beans and fish.

There could be many more types of food preparations which you can make at home using ingredients rich in calcium and which the child eats easily and are of his liking. You will have to try them out after doing some research. Lots of recipes are available on the net. Make the food items innovative and give them a classic look and the child will eat with ease.

Make the children participate in games to enable them to get sufficient exercise which will help them develop healthy and strong bones.

Best Natural Sources of Calcium for Kids is a post from: MyChildHealth

Facts about Calcium for Kids

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:31:15 +0000

Calcium should be an important ingredient of food we eat. This is essential to maximize the bone density, especially in adults. Deficiency of calcium can start from the age when one is a kid and once this happens, this deficiency may continue for life. Keeping this in mind, it is essential that kids should consume adequate quantity of milk or other substitute drinks, do exercise and minimize consumption of carbonated drinks. Though low fat milk is best for kids but newer substitutes like soya milk are taking its place, being easily available and cost effective. As per study, a small increase in consumption of milk results in significant increase in bone mineral content, which reflects the density and calcium stored in bones.

Over a period of time, women have learnt about calcium deficiency and development of osteoporosis problem in older age, resulting in fractured bones, but by the time realisation comes, it is too late, as accumulation starts from child hood. Thus it is clear that for stronger bones, including teeth, adequate calcium administration is a must. According to researchers, due to reduced intake of milk in USA, serious calcium deficiency problem has been created in kids.

For stronger bones it is essential to start intake of adequate quantity of calcium from childhood. This can be achieved in the following manner:

Recommended quantity of calcium containing food should be consumed.
Absorption of calcium while food passes through gut.
The bones should store adequate quantity of calcium, and loss should be prevented.

To achieve this, consumption of calcium rich food should be adequate, one should do sufficient exercise to build bones and above all cut down on soda drinks which tend to dissolve bones.

How much calcium do kids need?

Though there is no formal guideline in this regard but Calcium requirement in children between 4 to 8 years of age has been estimated at 800 mg/day. Each glass of milk measuring 8 Oz contains about 300 mg of calcium, thus three glasses of milk a day will enable children to get sufficient quantity of calcium. In case of certain children who are not able to drink milk or have digestion problem, soya and rice milk can be of help but these need to be fortified with vitamins. Orange juice can also be considered as a supplement but it not that rich in Vitamin D which is required for absorption of calcium by the body. For those in the age group of 9 to 18, the daily requirement has been estimated at 1300 mg per day, which has to come from food and milk.

As per the study conducted in USA, the children in the age group of 9 to 13 are consuming about 800 mg per day while those between 14 to 18 are consuming 1000 mg. Instead of increasing due to bad food habits and figure cautiousness, the intake in the later age group goes down to 700 mg per day. This has reflection on the body of the girls when they reach the age of child bearing. As the maximum absorption of calcium is at the time one achieves the age of puberty, the deficiency reflects in later years.

Facts about Calcium for Kids is a post from: MyChildHealth

Artificial Food Dyes And ADHD In Children

admin — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:36:22 +0000

Some children are termed as hyper active and are difficult to handle. Research has been carried out to find out the cause. A few children have a hyper activity disorder and require treatment. In the rest of the cases, it was discovered that various food stuffs acted as triggers. When they were with held, the behavior of the children returned to normal.

Earlier it was believed that an increased intake of sugar contribute to hyperactivity or ADHD. Research was carried out by feeding children high sugar snacks, and it was found that sugar did not increase hyper activity. The only children affected were the ones already diagnosed with hyper active disorder.

Research was carried out using many other food stuffs. The one that returned a significant positive response was synthetic food colors. Red and yellow colors caused the highest degree of hyper activity. In kids who were already suffering from hyper active disorder, it brought about an increased affliction. When the consumption of foods containing synthetic colors was stopped, their behaviour changed for the better.

Synthetic dyes are used mostly in ready to eat snacks and fast food to make them look tasty and having a tempting appearance. However, synthetic colors are not safe, as research has proved. It is better to give your children home made snacks and food because you will use the freshest and best available ingredients. You know what you have put in the food. There will be no preservatives or artificial dyes and sweeteners.

It will mean extra work and effort on your part but it will be worth it. Your children will reap the benefits in form of good health. It will keep them free from many diseases and avoidable behavioural problems like hyperactivity. They will be saved from doctor and psychiatrist visits and unnecessary medicines.

You can use fresh strawberry, blue berry or orange for adding color and flavour to children’s food. The things you prepare will be more hygienic. It may mean a little extra cost to use natural colors as synthetic colors are cheap, but it is counter balanced in the long run by less medical expenditure and having well behaved children.

If you have to buy food for children from the market, read the list of contents very carefully. If bits of fruit and natural color are used, only then buy it. The government is doing its bit by banning synthetic colors from many food stuffs.

Artificial Food Dyes And ADHD In Children is a post from: MyChildHealth

Balanced Diet For Teens Is Must

admin — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:48:59 +0000

When a child enters his teens, i.e., he achieves the age between thirteen and nineteen, he is developing at a fast pace. It is this age a lot of changes take place in the body of teen aged children. During this time major hormonal changes take place in girls. They attain the age of puberty and menstrual cycles start. To cope up with the developing mind and body, a healthy diet is a must.

A healthy and balanced diet for teens does not mean diet rich in fat and sugar. By healthy diet we mean a balanced diet containing lots of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development of the body. At this age the grown up children start to go out on their own and develop a liking for fast and junk food due to its taste, and start to avoid homemade healthy food. Junk food is rich in unsaturated fat and sugar. Due to this it is a cause of obesity.

Obesity is spreading like an epidemic in the developed world and the growing children need to be careful on this count. Though being slim can be considered an asset but being too thin is also bad. As such, a balanced diet plan needs to be drawn up. This plan can be as follows:

The diet plan should be such that it provides you body all types of vitamins and minerals. While planning a diet ensure that you consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Uncooked vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals as during cooking lots of nutrients are burnt off. In addition to energy, fruits and vegetables are a source of fibre necessary for a healthy digestive system. Fibre forms a mass and helps keep the digestive tract clean and clear.

In case sufficient energy is not provided to the body, the supply of nutrition level to the brain is likely to be reduced, resulting in improper development of the brain and the child may get physically impaired. To enable the child to have healthy growth it is necessary to get his BMI checked. The effort should be to adjust weight by increasing or decreasing food according to the level desirable by the BMI index.

The desired growth should be by natural method. There is a tendency with children to eat junk food and cover up the nutritional deficiency so caused by eating food supplements in the form of tablets. To increase profits some companies do advertise their products making tall claims. These may be all right for elderly people in whose case capacity of the body to absorb nutrients from food has gone down, but not in case of young adults or teens. If they start consuming supplements on a regular basis, chances are that as they grow up, the body demands these for full life time and does not absorb them from food.

Balanced Diet For Teens Is Must is a post from: MyChildHealth