Nutrition Programs For Children In India

Children of today are the citizens of tomorrow and for a bright future of our country we need Healthy and responsible children. More say it’s also true that "you are what you eat’’.But we forget to concentrate on our child’s nutrition in a hurry of finishing the day in this fast moving life.

Since India is a developing country, to overcome poverty is a difficult task.Considering this Government of India has started various schemes to enhance nutritional status of Indian children like Mid day meals,The Integrated Child Development scheme,National Plan of Action for Children National Guidelines on Infants and Young Child Feeding all of which seeks to address the lack of nutrition and issues of food amongst children. 

Reasons For Malnutrition

• Children below poverty line cannot afford to reach the required nutritional status.
• People are unaware of the Nutritional requirements for a child’s growth.
• Ignorance-People tend to ignore the fact that the deficiency may lead to numerous disorders and deficiency ailments.
• Negligence- Children who can still afford to neglect due to academic stress and their various interest in sports and other activities.

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Importance of Nutrition Among Children

• To build up a strong immune system to fight off diseases and live longer.
• Essential for the optimal growth of the child as certain nutrients add to the Mental and physical development of the child.
• To avoid emotional, behavioral and Academic problems in children.
• To reach certain developmental milestones in children depending on the age of the child like sitting, speaking, walking, running etc.

Nutritional Requirements  Foods in Children

• Here are some nutrients which form a balanced diet and foods that contain them.
• Proteins - Are energy boosters. Help to build healthy muscles and body- Examples-Dairy products, Meat, Fish, Eggs, Poultry, Beans, Lentils.
• Carbohydrates - For absorption of proteins and vitamins the carbs are really essential. Basic forms are starch, fibers and sugars. Whereas In children the sugar form is less needed. Examples - Rice, Cereals, Pastas, Potatoes, Breads.
• Fats - Are also energy producers and are required for absorption. Examples- Fish, Meat, Nuts, Whole milk products, vegetable oils.
• Calcium - Is very essential for clotting of blood, development of bones and teeth, functioning of muscles, nerves. Examples-Milk, Cheese, Curds, Egg, Broccoli.
• Iron - necessary for oxygen exchange in the blood. Example- whole grains, beans, whole cereals, red meat.
• Folic Acid - necessary for growth and development of childs cells. Exaples- Eggs, Poultry, fish, nuts, meat.
• Vitamins - Vitamin A and C are most important. Helps in nourishment of the eyes, skin and clotting mechanisms respectively. Examples- cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, papaya, strawberries, citrus fruits.

Children Health Tips

• First and foremost inculcate good habits in the child right from a young age.
• It is always said ‘’Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince and Dinner like a Pauper".With a heavy breakfast the child can concentrate and remain active.Throughout the day at school. For lunch you could give a home packed food.
• Avoid junk food totally like pizzas, pani puri, chocolates, wafers the children crave to have.
• Keep the child active by indulging them in outdoor sports, games etc to avoid sedentary lifestyle.
• Get regular Health check ups done and vaccinations in order.
• Mix and match with the diet so that the child doesn’t get bored with the same kind of food everyday. Also a variety food could arise an interest in food.

Good Eating Habits For Children

• Encourage the child to eat food slowly so that the food is properly absorbed by the body.
• Set an evening snacks for the child so that the child comes back home with a thirst for an exciting fresh snacks back home.
• Discourage the child on over eating of sugars and salts.
• Inculcate a habit of milk in the child and probably a skimmed milk would do.
• Advise the child to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and also for the absorption of necessary nutrients.
• Please do not encourage the child to skip ant meal.
• Maintain proper timings of food intake. See that it’s not too early nor too late.

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