Every parent wants to see their children grow up strong, healthy, and tall. The two cornerstones of a child’s well-being are food and activity. While the kids are active at school and in the evening at the play area, they frequently forget to eat. Some kids are finicky eaters, and occasionally parents tend to withhold certain foods that can support their child’s rapid development due to ignorance.
Here are 5 foods for growing children which promote healthy growth
- Berries
Vitamin C, antioxidants, and phytochemicals are all abundant in strawberries and blueberries. They strengthen the immune system by preventing damage to healthy cells.
Ways to prepare it: Berry toppings can be used on ice cream, yoghurt, pancakes, and cereal. To make blueberry pancakes, incorporate blueberries into the batter.
- Cow’s milk
It is an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus, both of which are necessary for the development of bones and muscles. If your child is under two years old, give them full-fat milk rather than low-fat or skimmed types. If she isn’t overweight, she will require more energy to expand.
Ways to prepare it: Serve milk with cereal or cookies for a quick and simple breakfast, or combine it with fruit to make smoothies.
- Wholegrain foods
The fibre in wholegrain foods helps to keep the digestive system in good shape and prevents constipation.
Ways to prepare it: As a snack, give your child whole-grain cereals and cookies. To help her get acclimated to the flavour, combine refined grains (white rice or white bread) with whole grains (brown rice or wholegrain bread).
- Cheese
Cheese is excellent for healthy bone growth since it is rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D.
Ways to prepare it: The milder flavour of mozzarella and American or European cheeses like edam or emmental may be preferred by kids. Slice, cut, or serve them in strings. Additionally, cheese can be grated and sprinkled over pasta, fried rice, or noodles, or it can be toasted on bread or pizza to mask the smell.
- Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables
These include foods high in beta carotene and other carotenoids that the body converts to active vitamin A, such as carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato, tomato, and papaya. For healthy skin, vision, tissue growth, and healing, vitamin A are crucial.
Ways to prepare it: Before serving vegetables with dips like salsa, cheese sauce, or hummus, slice the vegetables into sticks and steam them. By chopping up fruit into cubes and freezing them, you can make ice popsicles.