It is important to remember that kids do not need special foods to keep them growing; in fact, they should eat the same food that the adults in a household usually eat. What is important to remember is that kids can eat certain foods which adults do not necessarily need anymore. Foods high in calcium and calories are needed by children in order to grow tall and strong.
Calcium is for the bones and this is an important mineral for growing children. Lack of calcium stunt the growth of children and it can cause severe nutritional and health risks. Good sources of calcium are obviously milk but it will not be properly absorbed by the body if there is not enough Vitamin D. Other foods which are great sources for calcium are soy, bananas, nuts, and breads.
Pumping the children with calcium is also not good if you do not give them fiber. Calcium can cause constipation and the fiber will be needed to make sure the bowel functioning is not too difficult.
When it comes to fiber, the best thing to do would be to give the children vegetables. Now some parents may grunt and groan about this whole idea thinking that it is an impossible dream when actually that is one of the easiest things to do. For starters, remember that children mimic their elders and if from the very beginning they have eaten vegetables with their parents, and then they would not think it strange if they are given vegetables.
One trick that is good on the budget also is to stop going to fast food places. Yes, they have great tasting food, but it can also be expensive and trains children to crave triglyceride ladened food which can cause obesity in children and adults and early heart attacks.
French fries are good, just don’t keep buying them instead make them at home and make sure that the vegetable oil is used instead of the transfats type that commercial establishments use.
Another thing to consider is vitamin supplements. Vitamins are good for children because no amount of nutritious foods will ever compensate for the high metabolic processes of a child’s growing body. Give them vitamin supplements to keep up with the growth.
Introduce good food on the table which are nutritious. Children who grow up in homes where great home cooked meals are served will look for that type all their lives. If they grow up eating vegetables with their parents, it would not be a surprise if they will eat their vegetables.
Nutritious and healthy foods can be the staple for kids if that is what they grew up eating with their parents. Parents are the prime example for kids, so eat healthy and don’t get surprised when your kids also start eating healthy.