In the world we live in today, children have become much more vulnerable to unhealthy and unsafe eating habits. With the increased amount of sugar added in everyday products and foods consumed, it has become much easier for children to develop unhealthy eating habits and disorders. Aside from excessive sugar consumption, children may also develop unhealthy eating habits from the consumption of fats. This is especially true with Halloween approaching. Dealing with your children’s eating habits at an early stage is the best action a parent can take. Since childhood eating habits are more than likely to transfer to adulthood, informing children about the dangers and consequences of a bad diet will ensure healthy weight and adequate growth.
While many parents practice portion eating control for their children, this may leave their children with a deficit in required vitamins and minerals needed to maintain a healthy growing stage. This is why many parents have turned to the option of providing their children with daily gummy multivitamins. Aside from being one of the fastest growing products in the supplement industry, gummy vitamins are a sure fire way of encouraging children to enjoy consuming these delicious healthy supplements. Gummy vitamins may provide your children with a much more pleasant and easier experience in consuming a healthy treat. Being easier to swallow than a traditional pill, children can effortlessly chew and consume these supplements. Additionally, with many options and flavors available, gummy multivitamins can also serve as a functional and healthy treat. Children may reward themselves and support their overall health at the same time.
Some of the best and simplest ways to reduce fat intake and promote healthy weight include:
- Serving poultry without the fattening and unhealthy skin
- Serving whole grain breads and cereals
- Serving vegetables and fruits as a replacement to sugar-dense cookies and cakes
- Choosing low-fat dairy products over ordinary fat dense foods and drinks
- Reducing sugar intake by minimizing the consumption of sweetened drinks and salts in the child’s diet
Although nutrient intake principles are the same among children and adults, children require different amounts of nutrients at different ages to ensure a healthy growth cycle. Based on the caloric intake guidelines for certain ages, children are required to consume more protein, fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy as they age. The same concept is true with vitamin intake, which is critical to not only growth health, but also overall health. Many children, and even adults, overlook their vitamin intake with the assumption that they’re consuming all of the necessary nutrients needed for a healthy lifestyle. Below are some of the most important vitamins children are required to consume for ensuring a strong well-being.
Critical Vitamins:
Calcium is an essential building block for teeth and bones. It is a very important vitamin, needed especially at younger ages, to ensure availability of bone reserves when the bone loss cycle begins at later aging stages.
Vitamin D also contains similar benefits as calcium, aiding in healthy body function. This is the only nutrient produced in the body when exposed to sunlight. Additionally, this is a great incentive to get children to play outside more instead of spending too much time indoors. Some of the most vitamin D-dense foods are seafood, such as shrimp and salmon. Orange juice is also an excellent source of vitamin D.
Iron is an important vitamin as well, aiding in the transportation of red blood cells throughout the body. Some of the most iron-dense foods include red meats, dark green leafy vegetables, and certain types of beans.
Vitamin E is responsible for strengthening the body’s immune system and keeping blood vessels clear and flowing at a healthy pace. Many nuts, such as hazelnuts and almonds, are an excellent source of vitamin E.
And last, but not least is:
Fiber. Although this is not a vitamin or mineral, many foods containing high amounts of fiber are typically loaded with vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium and magnesium. Aiding in healthier digestive systems, children who eat fiber in small portions may benefit from a fiber supplement tremendously. Some of the most popular sources of fiber include berries, oatmeal, and avocados.