Healthy Food For Children – Here Are The Best Options

Your children’s health is very important so you need to make sure they eat the best kind of ingredients. Choosing healthy food for children means adopting diets with the right number of calories, nutrients and vitamins. It is absolutely fundamental to their development.

It is important to include healthy foods for children in your diet daily. It helps them create healthy eating habits for the rest of their lives. If your children learn to eat healthily at an early age,  they will be healthier as adults. 

With this in mind, here is a list of healthy foods for children that will help you on the run to improve your children’s eating habits.

Good and healthy food for children

Avocado

Avocados bring many different health benefits to children. They are rich in monounsaturated fats, also known as “good fats” because they help reduce harmful cholesterol. Avocados also help stabilize blood sugar levels. They are rich in vitamin E and vitamins D.

Infants can start eating avocados from the age of six months.

Blueberry

Blueberries are another good example of healthy food for children. These berries are a really efficient source of energy and children can easily digest them in the form of juices and compotes from around eight months of age.

Blueberries are rich in fiber, flavonoids and potassium, and have an antioxidant effect. They also help us prevent urinary tract infections.

Oats

This is one of the best things a child can eat. Oatmeal can be cooked in a variety of ways and is very useful. In addition to being rich in fiber, they contain carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals. 

Dietitians recommend that children start eating oatmeal and oatmeal from the age of one.

Salmon

This fish is rich in healthy fats (including omega-3). It helps reduce cholesterol and ensure a balanced blood pressure. Salmon is also good for your baby’s brain and nervous system.

Other staples for a healthy diet

Spinach

Although it can be difficult to get children to eat spinach, it is ideal to succeed in accustoming them to the taste of this healthy vegetable from an early age.

Spinach contains fiber, B vitamins, iron and vitamins A and C. It strengthens the bone structure, helps brain development and nourishes growing muscles.  It is also good for the skin and prevents eye diseases.

Sweet potato

It is important to cook sweet potatoes properly, otherwise they can be difficult to digest. They are a natural source of potassium, and contain plenty of vitamin A and antioxidants.

Yoghurt

Yogurt is an important source of calcium, which helps bone growth in children. It also contains proteins and lactic acid, as well as beneficial bacteria for a healthy intestinal flora.

Is chocolate harmful to children?

Of course, it can be very difficult to keep children away from sweets and chocolate. Children have a natural craving for sweets that can be difficult to keep under control.

Although it is unknown to many, the chocolate is actually a number of benefits for children, and therefore may be included in a healthy diet. To name a few:

1. Chocolate contains carbohydrates, fiber, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamins B2 and B12.
2. Cocoa is a stimulant, which keeps children awake and alert. It can help them pay more attention in school.
3. It has a high energy value, and strengthens muscles and bones.
4. It has antioxidants. This means that it helps protect children against cardiovascular disease later in life.
5. Chocolate has been shown to lead to increased  production of serotonin, which elevates our mood and helps counteract stress.

Studies show that chocolate is not fat-forming

New research conducted by researchers at the University of Granada (UGR), shows that  people who eat larger amounts of chocolate show lower levels of body fat.

The survey was conducted on a sample of  1458 teenagers aged 12 to 17 years, who were asked to write down everything they ate during a 24-hour period. With this information, the researchers were able to determine that the participants who ate more chocolate had a lower amount of body fat. 

The result was independent of physical activity, gender, age, total calorie consumption and intake of saturated fats, fruits, vegetables, tea and coffee.

Finding the right balance in our children’s diet is difficult, but very important. After all; A nutritious diet now will help them become healthy adults in the future.