The right meal for your child

Introduction:

Giving your child the right meal is paramount for its maximum growth and development. That is why careful measures and nutritional directions must be strictly adhered to in order to ensure that every nutrient required by your child’s body system are provided in the right quantity. I commend some schools that made a compulsory lunch roaster for their pupils which their parents must adhere to.

Why giving your child the right meal:

Childhood is an important stage in one’s life. It is the time when there is rapid cell division which brings about growth of body tissues and the body in general. Choosing the right meal for your child provide the necessary nutrient in the right quantity required for these metabolic processes.

These foods below are important for the growth and development of your child;

Beans, legumes and beans related foods - Beans and other legumes are known to contain protein. Protein is needed for tissue growth and repair. Most substance in the human body system is made of protein or is protein e.g. some hormones. Imagine when there is no protein to build these substances. Soya bean is nutritious for your child.

Cranberries, organic yogurt, organic strawberries, organic cheese, and organic potatoes – These and many more are rich in iodine. Iodine can also be found in iodized salt. Iodine is needed for the formation of thyroid hormone (a hormone that manages metabolism, detoxification, growth and development of your child). The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for children ages 1-8 is 90/microgram every day.

Egg, Fish and Meat – These are animal protein and are more efficient than the plant variety (e.g. beans). They are also required for the growth and repair of the tissues of the body. Egg albumin is rich in protein while the yolk is energy giving because it is rich in calories.

Green leafy vegetables – is rich in vitamin K necessary for blood clotting. Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn is caused by vitamin K deficiency.

Guava, lime, lemon, green leafy vegetables, orange and other citrus fruit – These provide vitamin C. Your children do not need to take vitamin C supplement when they take enough citrus fruit. Vitamin C helps to boost your child’s immune system and also necessary for wound healing.

Milk, butter, cream, cheese, egg yolk, liver, fish liver oils (cod liver oil and shark liver oil), Carrot, Papaya, mango, pumpkins and green leafy vegetables (spinach, amaranth) – All these provide vitamin A necessary for good sight. Some sugars are fortified with vitamin A, always go for those ones. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin A for children is 400-600 microgram/day.

Milk – Breast milk for children under the age of one. Milk is required for proper function of the brain and boost memory of your child. Milk also contains calcium which is needed for strong bones and teeth. Daily Requirement of calcium by a child is about 1200 mg/day.

Fish liver oil, fish milk and egg yolk - These foods are rich in Vitamin D. Vitamin D is required for strong bones. Its deficiency causes rickets in children. Requirement of Vitamin D for children is 10 microgram (400 IU)/day.

Banana – The health benefits of banana to children include; improves urinary disorder, controls diarrhea, treats constipation, easy on stomach and helps in reducing skin inflammation. It is also rich in energy and vitamin.

Apple – Apple contains fiber, vitamin C and polyphenols which are antioxidants. Fiber helps the digestive system, vitamin C helps the immune system and wound healing while polyphenols helps to destroy dangerous oxidants.

Love for your child entails care and protection. Choose the right meal for your child.

Be happy, live healthy and be successful.