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Posts for category: Nutritional Health
The idea of restricting a child's diet concerns a lot of parents — are they getting enough nutrients through gluten-free products? How will my child get enough protein
without eating meat?
These are valid questions, and they're very important to consider before committing to any dietary regimens. As long as parents understand a child's nutritional needs and research the foods that meet them, things like gluten-free and vegetarian diets can benefit children for their entire lives.
What Should I Think About When Developing A Diet For My Child?
Protein consumption tends to be a top concern when considering plant-based diets. Everyone needs it, particularly growing children, so excluding foods that are bountiful sources of protein, as meats are, presents the need to focus on protein-rich plant foods. Plant-based foods won't stand up to the protein content of animal-based products on an individual basis, but that's not to say they aren't reliable sources of protein.
Not only do children need an appropriate amount of protein, they also should consume an adequate amount of fats, which is more than what adults should eat. It's a fine line: You don't want children to consume too much fat, but be aware that adults and children have different dietary needs, and they need to be fulfilled accordingly. Protein-rich foods with healthy fats include avocado, nut butters, nuts, and soybean products.
Beyond protein and healthy fats, it's also important all vegetarians consume vitamin B12, which is mostly found in animal products and byproducts. For example, dairy products contain B12, but if dairy consumption is eliminated or reduced in you or your child's diet, you may need to take supplements of this important vitamin. Children's vitamins probably cover this, but it's something you'll not want to overlook when considering a vegetarian diet.
As with all lifestyle changes, it helps to do a lot of research and consult a professional for guidance. A pediatrician or registered dietitian can help you construct a child-friendly vegetarian diet and help your kids establish a solid foundation of eating well and healthfully that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Learn more about how eating disorders can affect a child’s life.
While news reports and magazines have started to bring issues like eating disorders into the limelight, it’s important that we also acknowledge how serious and
common eating disorders actually are. While we never want to think that our children will ever develop an eating disorder, it’s important to know what to look for to make sure that your child is displaying healthy eating habits. Learn more about childhood eating disorders and the impact it can have on your growing child.
Q. What are the most common types of eating disorders?
A. There are three primary types of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. Anorexia is when a child or teen refuses to eat. Bulimia is when a child binges on food and then throws it up. Binge eating is similar to bulimia, but involves binging on food without throwing it up afterward. Some children may experience bouts of both kinds of eating disorders throughout their lives.
Q. At what age are eating disorders most common?
A. While the majority of eating disorders are found in teens and early adults, it can still happen to children, too. Eating disorders are also more common in women, but men also experience these disorders. Currently, men account for about five to 15 percent of anorexia or bulimia cases. Binge eating tends to be the most common eating disorder for men.
Q. What causes an eating disorder?
A. While there is no single direct cause associated with eating disorders, there are a variety of factors that can play into the development of one. Cultural and societal pressures from TV shows and magazines may influence girls to lose weight. Those with eating disorders may also suffer from low self-esteem or struggle with other psychological issues like anxiety or depression.
Q. What makes an eating disorder so dangerous?
A. Eating disorders can cause serious physical complications, even cardiac arrest. When our bodies don’t get enough nutrients, organ damage can occur. Those with anorexia can also develop low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and frail, thinning bones.
Q. What are the signs of anorexia?
A. The most common symptoms of anorexia include excessive exercising, fear of becoming fat, avoiding mealtimes and not eating, and sudden weight loss. Those with anorexia may also be depressed, highly critical of themselves or anxious.
Q. What are the signs of bulimia?
A. Bulimics also fear gaining weight, and are usually unhappy with the way their bodies look. The classic signs of bulimia include binging on excessive amounts of food and then vomiting after eating. Those with bulimia may also abuse alcohol, take laxatives, exercise excessively or display mood swings.
Q. How do you treat an eating disorder?
A. Treatments including behavior modification, psychotherapy, antidepressants, support groups and even nutritional counseling can all be extremely helpful to sufferers of these disorders.
Concerned that your child might have an eating disorder? Talk to your child’s pediatrician for more information on how to get diagnosis and where to find the best treatment options in your community.
Whether it's a two-year-old screaming for chicken nuggets or a three-year-old who refuses to eat anything other than cereal, there are several instances when parents
wonder if the food battle is even worth it. After all, we all know plenty of children who grew up on nothing but hot dogs and turned out alright, so why fight food battles today when you could just worry about them later? Is establishing good eating habits at an early age really that important?
Eating Healthy Makes For Healthy Kids
Unfortunately for stressed out moms and dads, the truth is that teaching your children to eat healthy foods from an early age really is that important. Not only do young children need the nutrition that a healthy diet provides, but the food habits parents begin now will likely continue throughout the child's life.
Childhood is a tremendous time of growth for children, especially children from the ages of birth to five. While they are still small, they are growing and developing rapidly. Children need the nutrients that come from a varied diet. They don't have to have every food group at every meal or even every day, but it is essential that they receive all of the nutrients that they need on a regular basis.
Healthy Habits Carry Into Adulthood
Secondly, while it may not seem like it at the time, starting good habits younger is actually far easier than starting them later in life, when a child's eating preferences are already established. Babies who are trying new things are generally more willing to try a wide variety of new tastes and textures, while three-year-olds who are used to only eating one or two things are just as happy to continue being picky.
Getting your children to try new things can be difficult, but take heart in the fact that this resistance is normal. In fact, your children may need to try a new food as many as twenty times before they learn to like it! Instead of force-feeding your children new foods or giving in to their constant demands, slowly begin adding a little more variety in addition to their usual fare. Over time, these new foods will become normal and familiar, and it won't be long until you realize your children aren't so picky after all.