| At present, it is a sad fact that children are getting bigger and obesity in children is an alarming problem that needs addressing. Fast foods and fast food outlets with set child food menus that encourage unhealthy eating, are largely to blame. Whilst most parents are aware that junk food is bad food for children many still use it as bribes or treats. | 
Healthy Eating and Iron One of the most important minerals you can include when planning food for children is iron, for healthy blood, but this should come naturally from the food they eat and not from supplements, for children, overdosing on iron can be fatal. Iron rich child food portions are: three tablespoons of baked beans = 1.7mg of iron, a boiled egg = 1mg, one slice of wholemeal bread = 1mg, 30 grams of any fortified breakfast cereal = 2mg, 90 grams of lean red meat = 2.3mg and 90 grams of spring greens = 1.3mg. Drinking a glass of orange or cranberry juice, which contains vitamin C with a meal, will help the body to absorb iron. Healthy Eating for Toddlers Toddlers are slightly different because they can only eat small child food portions in any one sitting so it is important to give them snacks and meals that are packed with vitamins and nutrients such as full-fat milk and dairy products, lean meat and eggs. However, their stomachs cannot cope with food high in fibre and too much fibre will reduce the amount of calcium and iron they can absorb. By the time they reach five, the child food portions should include more bulky foods. Avoid fats that are solid at room temperature such as butter, hard cheese and animal fats. If you encourage healthy eating habits at this stage you won't have problems later on. Healthy Eating for School Aged Children Healthy eating for growing school-aged children means a balanced diet incorporating fruit, vegetables and starchy foods. Try to encourage them to eat a wide variety of different foods. Calcium, for healthy teeth and bones is found in milk, cheese, yoghurt and nuts (although you should never give nuts to young children). Vitamin D, the body produces this vitamin itself when exposed to sunlight but other sources are fortified breakfast cereals, ... |
