Nutrition plays an important role in contributing to the health and wellness of anyone, especially young, growing children. Little bodies use nutrients from food to fuel the development of the brain and body. A well-rounded diet provides the body with essential nutrients that the body isn’t able to produce on its own. Consuming appropriate amounts of the nutritious calories will help your child grow physically and mentally. Read below to learn how nutrition is directly linked to your child’s health!
01. Physical Development.
Scientists have listed nutrition as one of the three key factors that can affect a child’s development, next to environment and genes. We have the most control over the foods we feed children, so nutrition education is an easy way to promote general health for children. Foods rich in essential nutrients and protein help children build strong muscles and bones. Sufficient calorie intake is crucial for young, growing bodies. It’s important to understand how much your child should be eating for their age and relative size. Of course, a child may experience a host of health problems if they eat too much food, or consume a disproportionate amount of foods that aren’t nutritionally-rich. A proper diet will ensure that your child grows at a normal pace, while building and maintaining muscle mass.
02. Vitamin Intake.
Vitamins and essential nutrients will be consumed when your child eats a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables, protein, and healthy fats. Vitamins act as catalysts for a variety or necessary processes inside the body, so it is crucial that children ingest the vitamins they need. Certain vitamin deficiencies are linked to cognitive issues in children. Specifically, children with diets low in iron may struggle to maintain energy and focus on schoolwork and extracurricular activities.
03. Behaviour.
Children that develop healthy food habits at a young age tend to benefit from their actions throughout their lives. Good nutrition should be encouraged beginning in early childhood. A healthy attitude surrounding food and eating is also integral to children’s nutrition. Your child’s healthy habits can be established by setting a positive example. Cook interesting, tasty and nutritious meals with your child to inspire them to eat well. In addition to lifelong eating habits, a child’s nutrition can also influence their behavior. Both under-nourished children and kids that eat too much processed sugar tend to exhibit behavioural problems. A nutritious, vitamin-rich diet will have a positive impact on your child’s behavior.
04. Academic Performance.
Poor nutrition or skipping meals may cause a child to be lethargic, which in turn will negatively affect academic performance. Malnourished or undernourished children will also have a harder time fighting off illnesses. Too many school absences will cause a child to fall behind in their learning. Be sure that your child eats a significant breakfast each day before school, and has a healthy lunch and snacks to eat midday.
Nutrition will impact just about every aspect of your child’s life, so it’s important that your kids are eating healthy amounts of nutritious foods daily. Take advantage of online blogs and forums to learn about new ways to feed picky eaters. At Happy Hippo, children can participate in a ‘Mini Master Chef Program’ to learn all about the world of cooking and healthy eating. Support your child’s academic performance, mood and behaviour, and physical growth with a well-rounded understanding of nutrition!