For your children to be as fit as possible, you may want to check out the following tips about healthy eating for kids. We all want our kids to eat healthy food, but that doesn’t always happen even with the best of efforts on our part.
If you feel this to be the case in your family, one thing you might want to do is turn to supplements for that added security.
Even the American Medical Association offers tips for healthy kids. They recommend daily multivitamins to be taken as “insurance” for kids to be healthy. In this way they’ll have the necessary nutrients their bodies need.
There are many choices on the market, but be wise and choose a brand that is wholesome – not containing sugars (anything ending in “ose” like dextrose), or artificial colors or flavors.
GOOD NUTRITION
Essential Vitamins
* Vitamin A is essential for growth, development and a healthy immune system
* B Vitamins (8 essential ones) are necessary for energy, brain function and stress management – especially good for people who eat processed foods and refined carbs.
* Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is essential for brain and immune function as well as healthy skin
* Vitamin D is crucial in bone development, and not enough can limit growth. Especially important for those not getting enough sunshine
Omega 3 Fatty Acids for Children
Another tip for kids and good nutrition is essential fatty acids, especially the omega 3s. Omega 3 fatty acids for children are essential for their development and health of the brain, heart, nervous system, tissues, skin and immune system. DHA, is an extremely important Omega 3 fatty acid for children of school age Consider supplementing if the following DHA foods are missing from your family’s diet: cold water fish (salmon and tuna), flax seed, dark leafy greens and walnuts.
If you feel this to be the case in your family, one thing you might want to do is turn to supplements for that added security.
Even the American Medical Association offers tips for healthy kids. They recommend daily multivitamins to be taken as “insurance” for kids to be healthy. In this way they’ll have the necessary nutrients their bodies need.
There are many choices on the market, but be wise and choose a brand that is wholesome – not containing sugars (anything ending in “ose” like dextrose), or artificial colors or flavors.
GOOD NUTRITION
Essential Vitamins
* Vitamin A is essential for growth, development and a healthy immune system
* B Vitamins (8 essential ones) are necessary for energy, brain function and stress management – especially good for people who eat processed foods and refined carbs.
* Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is essential for brain and immune function as well as healthy skin
* Vitamin D is crucial in bone development, and not enough can limit growth. Especially important for those not getting enough sunshine
Omega 3 Fatty Acids for Children
Another tip for kids and good nutrition is essential fatty acids, especially the omega 3s. Omega 3 fatty acids for children are essential for their development and health of the brain, heart, nervous system, tissues, skin and immune system. DHA, is an extremely important Omega 3 fatty acid for children of school age Consider supplementing if the following DHA foods are missing from your family’s diet: cold water fish (salmon and tuna), flax seed, dark leafy greens and walnuts.
Eat A Rainbow
It’s best to daily eat foods of a variety of colors to get the nourishment essential for the proper nutrition and wellness for kids. Select natural foods that are purple, blue, red, orange, yellow or green in color.
Choose fruits and vegetables that are a variety of colors.
It’s best to daily eat foods of a variety of colors to get the nourishment essential for the proper nutrition and wellness for kids. Select natural foods that are purple, blue, red, orange, yellow or green in color.
Choose fruits and vegetables that are a variety of colors.
AVOID TRANS FATTY ACIDS
Eliminate snacks and desserts with hydrogenated fats…these are added to many processed foods aimed at kids. The hydrogenation process changes vegetable oils into solid fats which are rich in trans fatty acids. Studies have shown that trans fatty acids increase the risk of coronary heart disease because they raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and decrease the good (HDL). One of the best ways to select healthy foods is to read the ingredients!
ABOUT REFINED SUGAR
Eating high intakes of refined sugar can be at the bottom of many health problems and risks such as obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. It can also limit the desire for more nutritious foods. There are many healthy foods that are high in nutrients but lower in sugar.
* Substitute refined sugar sweets for more wholesome, healthy treats such as fresh or dried fruits, unsweetened applesauce and granola as toppings.
* Dilute 100% fruit juices with pure water.
* There are healthy alternative sweeteners for baking – maple syrup, molasses, honey and agave nectar.
* Again, read ingredients.
THE GLYCEMIC INDEX
This points to the speed a carbohydrate is digested, enters the bloodstream, and raises the blood sugar levels.
The danger of high glycemic foods like refined flours and high sugar drinks, is that they are quickly digested which causes a rapid spike in blood sugar and insulin levels. Effects like these have been linked to overeating, obesity and diabetes.
On the other hand, foods on the low glycemic index foods list offer more stabilized blood sugar levels, have proven to decrease cholesterol levels and have lowered the risk of diabetes.
So the importance of switching high glycemic index foods for ones on the low glycemic index foods list is obvious. When followed, blood sugar levels will be balanced and healthy eating habits will be established.
On the low glycemic index foods list, foods are generally high in fiber and protein and are more filling. Foods with the lowest glycemic index include beans, dairy products, fruits & vegetables and whole grains which would be excellent healthy eating for kids to keep them on the right track. Low GI foods satisfy your hunger, increase your energy levels, and eliminate your desire to eat more than you should.
GLUTEN
Some kids (and adults) have a sensitivity to gluten. In severe forms they may have celiac disease which is an intestinal autoimmune disorder that is usually inherited.
If a person has celiac disease, they must stay on a gluten-free diet permanently, because there is no cure for it.
Gluten is mainly found in wheat, rye and barley. Most flours and breakfast cereals have gluten in them. Flours are commonly used in baking to help the dough stick together.
Oats are still a question…not enough research has been done as yet.
Gluten is sometimes used in some pretty unexpected ways, as a thickener or a stabilizing agent in products like ketchup and ice-cream.
Some vitamins and medication as well as alcohol, lipstick, lip gloss and lip balms may also contain gluten and need to be investigated before use.
Eliminate snacks and desserts with hydrogenated fats…these are added to many processed foods aimed at kids. The hydrogenation process changes vegetable oils into solid fats which are rich in trans fatty acids. Studies have shown that trans fatty acids increase the risk of coronary heart disease because they raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and decrease the good (HDL). One of the best ways to select healthy foods is to read the ingredients!
ABOUT REFINED SUGAR
Eating high intakes of refined sugar can be at the bottom of many health problems and risks such as obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. It can also limit the desire for more nutritious foods. There are many healthy foods that are high in nutrients but lower in sugar.
* Substitute refined sugar sweets for more wholesome, healthy treats such as fresh or dried fruits, unsweetened applesauce and granola as toppings.
* Dilute 100% fruit juices with pure water.
* There are healthy alternative sweeteners for baking – maple syrup, molasses, honey and agave nectar.
* Again, read ingredients.
THE GLYCEMIC INDEX
This points to the speed a carbohydrate is digested, enters the bloodstream, and raises the blood sugar levels.
The danger of high glycemic foods like refined flours and high sugar drinks, is that they are quickly digested which causes a rapid spike in blood sugar and insulin levels. Effects like these have been linked to overeating, obesity and diabetes.
On the other hand, foods on the low glycemic index foods list offer more stabilized blood sugar levels, have proven to decrease cholesterol levels and have lowered the risk of diabetes.
So the importance of switching high glycemic index foods for ones on the low glycemic index foods list is obvious. When followed, blood sugar levels will be balanced and healthy eating habits will be established.
On the low glycemic index foods list, foods are generally high in fiber and protein and are more filling. Foods with the lowest glycemic index include beans, dairy products, fruits & vegetables and whole grains which would be excellent healthy eating for kids to keep them on the right track. Low GI foods satisfy your hunger, increase your energy levels, and eliminate your desire to eat more than you should.
GLUTEN
Some kids (and adults) have a sensitivity to gluten. In severe forms they may have celiac disease which is an intestinal autoimmune disorder that is usually inherited.
If a person has celiac disease, they must stay on a gluten-free diet permanently, because there is no cure for it.
Gluten is mainly found in wheat, rye and barley. Most flours and breakfast cereals have gluten in them. Flours are commonly used in baking to help the dough stick together.
Oats are still a question…not enough research has been done as yet.
Gluten is sometimes used in some pretty unexpected ways, as a thickener or a stabilizing agent in products like ketchup and ice-cream.
Some vitamins and medication as well as alcohol, lipstick, lip gloss and lip balms may also contain gluten and need to be investigated before use.
No comments:
Post a Comment