Superfoods For Growing Children

Learn the foods that can help you ensure that your children are healthy. Check out the article we found over at Top 10 Home Remedies.

A nutritious and balanced diet is one of the most important things for a growing child. Children have high energy and nutrient needs that are different from that of adults. During the growing stage, the body needs specific vitamins and minerals for proper development.

Busy lifestyles make it difficult for many parents to find time to prepare healthy meals. But fast food and many ready-made meals do not provide the essential nutrients that children need and often have high fat and sugar content that contributes to the obesity problem among youth.

If you do not have time to cook, at least make sure your child is not eating unhealthy food and be sure to include some superfoods in their diet.

Superfoods are natural foods packed with many healthy properties, including nutrients and antioxidants. Plus, superfoods are easily digestible and will help keep your child’s body and mind healthy.

Here are the top superfoods for growing children.

1. Eggs

Eggs are great for growing kids, mainly because of their high protein content. Protein is highly essential for growing children.

Eggs are also rich in B vitamins that play an important role in brain development and functioning. Plus, eggs have omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, folate, zinc, iron and selenium.

Eggs can be cooked in many ways like scrambled, fried, hard boiled and as an omelet including various meats and vegetables that you may have on hand. Serve one to two eggs for breakfast, several times a week. This will provide sustained energy so that your child remains energetic throughout the day.

2. Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the best vegetable sources of calcium, a very important nutrient for growing children as it helps foster peak eyesight and ward off cell damage.

This healthy vegetable is also loaded with fiber, which is very essential for growing children. Other key nutrients in broccoli are iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and folic acid. It is also a good source of B vitamins, which aid digestion and improve the functioning of the nervous system.

Give your growing child broccoli daily. It is best if broccoli is eaten raw, juiced or lightly steamed to get maximum nourishment. If your child does not like plain broccoli, you can try putting it in soup or casseroles.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries are delicious and super healthy for growing children. These tiny berries have excellent nutritional value. Blueberries are one of the best antioxidant-rich foods that help protect the body from harmful toxins.

Also, blueberries have anti-diarrheal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. The high amount of manganese in blueberries keeps the bones strong, and the high vitamin C content supports the immune system. Plus, blueberries have fiber, folate, iron, magnesium and B vitamins.

Since blueberries are sweet and tasty, most children like to eat them. You can add berries to oatmeal, yogurt and whole grain cereals.

4. Beans

 

Beans are super nutritious and immensely beneficial for growing children. Apart from being high in antioxidants, beans also contain a good amount of protein, calcium, fiber, iron and vitamin B.

Also, beans are low in fat, calories and sodium. Eating beans regularly will keep children energetic, improve their mood, keep their heart healthy and help maintain a healthy body weight.

Beans like kidney, black, navy and pinto along with garbanzo beans, soybeans, dried peas and lentils are good for children. Soak any of these beans overnight before preparing a dish. Children can be given bean salad or soup for lunch or dinner.

Read full article: Top 10 Superfoods for Growing Children