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Super Foods For Children
Super Foods For Children
The diets of children play an integral role in their health and learning ability, in fact, a nutritious and
balanced diet is the most important thing to ensure that your child has a head start toward a healthy
life. Providing your child with a healthy eating foundation can correct nutritional deficiencies, help to
ward off illnesses and set up good eating practices for life.
In providing good nutrition for children, there are a range of foods that can act as super-foods,
providing a higher content of vital nutrients, making them ideal for your child's development and
growth.
Oily fish is a great superfood for children. The brain is made fromomega-3 fats - found in high
quantities in oily fish - and needs them to be replenished regularly. Fatty acids also play an important
role in memory, brain function, and heart health, and have been proven to help children who have
behavioral and learning challenges.
Good examples of oily fish include mackerel, salmon and tuna.
Fruits and vegetables should form a large proportion of any diet, whether child or adult. Eating a
wide variety of different colored fruit and vegetables provides the human body with lots of different
beneficial plant compounds that all work together. All fruits and vegetables are rich
in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, and provide a healthy foundation to the diet. Oranges,
apples and kiwi fruit are especially high in Vitamin C, helping to ward off colds and are a good
source of calcium, essential for healthy bones.
Generally fruit and vegetables that are fresh, in season and preferably organically grown, are higher
in nutrients. Also, the darker the color, for example dark green or deep red, contain more substances
that are beneficial forhealth.
berries, in particular, are a superfruit that provide the highest levels of antioxidants of any food per
serving.blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are packed full of antioxidants, as well as Vitamin
C and fiber, and protect the cells of the body against damage. Berries can be pureed for babies and
cut in half for young children.
Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt are great sources of calcium and protein, key
ingredients for strong bones and teeth, as well as other vitamins and minerals, so are ideal foods for
little ones. Yoghurt also contains helpful bacteria that prevent stomach infections and gastrointestinal
problems. Buy natural yogurt with livebacteria and no added sugar - you can sweeten it with
pureed fruit or honey to make it more appealing.
eggs are a brain superfood, in fact they are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. They
contain a hugeconcentration of choline - a nutrient vital for brain development in young children, and
The ideal diet for children is a healthy, additive-free, organic where possible, varied diet.
All children enjoy the occasional sweet treat, so make cakes, biscuits, pies, pastries and puddings at
home. That way, you can be sure they are free from artificial flavorings and colors.
References
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Rowe KS, Rowe KJ. Synthetic food coloring and behavior: a dose response effect in a
double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures study. J Pediatr 1994;125:691-8.
Boris M, Mandel FS. Foods and additives are common causes of the attention deficit
hyperactive disorder inchildren. Ann allergy 1994;72:462-8.