The nutrimony and convenience of food seem to fight each other when it comes to feeding our children. The increasing interest kids have in junk food makes it easy to let them engage themselves in having chips, sugar-added cereals, and fast food. However, these choices can have serious implications for health.
Junk food is especially seductive to kids, with high sugar, salt, and fat content. Since the sugar, salt, and fat start working on the brain's reward centers, these kinds of foods will be very pleasurable for a child, asking for more. These foods may taste too great, but they lack the needed nutrients in the growth and development of your child.
"The effects of junk food on health can be pretty bad," says Dr. Aarti Kapoor, a renowned pediatric nutritionist. "Junk food, when taken regularly, can cause nutritional deficiencies and lead to long-term health problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease."
These cereals may look like a quick fix for breakfast, but in reality, they are loaded with sugar and are quite low in nutrition. Watch out for cereals that have large amounts of sugar and go for those containing whole grains with less added sugar.
Convenient yet not so healthy, instant noodles are extremely high in sodium and really low in nutrients. They often come with unhealthy preservatives and lack the fiber needed in a balanced diet.
Chips are not just foods that have empty calories; they also have a chemical in them called acrylamide, which causes cancer. They can cause heart problems and blood pressure—therefore, not good choices for snacking.
Sodas and energy drinks are loaded with sugar; they are devoid of any nutritional value. It results in weight gain, which increases the chances of type 2 diabetes. Water, milk, or naturally flavored water are healthier options instead of soda.
Candies and chocolate have proven to be incomparable favorites among children. However, these foods have a high sugar and calorie content, which can readily lead to obesity and tooth decay. Fruits are a much better alternative to quench the sweet tooth.
Sausages and hot dogs contain a great amount of sodium and preservatives. Processed meat, as dangerously numbered, can cause cancer. Fresh, unprocessed meat or plant-based proteins are a healthier alternative.
Focus on getting more nutritious food into your child's diet, rather than on depriving them of junk food. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins have to form a part of their diet. Engage your kids in meal preparation.
"The key is to make healthy food fun and enjoyable," says Kapoor. "Getting children involved in the cooking process and providing a variety of colorful fruits and veggies are ways by which they can develop better eating habits."
Given today's busy lifestyle, it has become imperative that one must be conscious about what your child is eating. Limit the amount of junk food and expose your child to a balanced diet to ensure a healthy tomorrow.
