Are you worried about the food that you are feeding your children? This can happen when you are not sure of what is good and what is bad for your child. I know, mom guilt does come when you see your child having bad eating habits. Well, one thing to know here is that you are not alone in this.
There are a number of myths and misconceptions regarding nutrition in children in general that are spread around. People believe them and these then become a source of stress for the mothers who have little kids at their homes.
The best pediatrician in Pakistan says that a lot of mothers get upset over the misinformation spread on the internet. Let’s have a closer look at that.
Myth 1: Your Child Will Starve If They Skip a Meal
This is a very lame myth that says your child will starve if they don’t eat or skip a meal. Now the thing here to understand is some kids are not hungry early in the morning. If they barely touch breakfast, there are high chances they will make up for it later.
If you are still concerned for your child, ask them to come up with a list of nutritious breakfast options. Try and engage them by keeping the food in the fridge and give them the choice to choose one food one night before breakfast.
Keep the portions small and remember that kids don’t eat as much as adults do.
Myth 2: Kids Don’t Like Vegetables
Well, some kids are resistant when it comes to tasting vegetables. And they may grow up to like vegetables. While many kids only like to consume certain veggies as part of their meals. Now, one of the ways to give children vegetables is by mixing them in your child’s favorite food. Offer them the veggies and cut them into different sizes and shapes. You can also hide vegetables in salsa sauce or other sauces while serving.
Also, one more thing to keep in mind here is that you must consume veggies while you sit with your children. This helps a lot in making the minds of the kids and they get inclined towards eating vegetables that are beneficial for their health.
So, some children do not eat vegetables and some find them great after some time.
Myth 3: Sugar is the only reason children are hyperactive
It might come as a surprise to you, but sugar is one food item that has shown no signs of hyperactivity in recent research. However, many high-sugar foods are full of additives i.e. dyes. These are said to be a huge reason behind causing hyperactivity in children.
Plus, calories from sugar can fill your child up and leaves less room for the calories that can provide good nutrition and health benefits. Even though sugar doesn’t cause hyperactivity, this doesn’t mean that you can give it to your children at every meal.
Instead, try eliminating food dyes and indulge children in physical activities. Not to forget, the use of sugar in more mount can cause cavities in children’s teeth.
Myth 4: If your child rejects food, don’t bother serving it again
It is very commonly observed that children a lot of times don’t like the food that is presented to them for the first time. A lot of children need o feel, touch, and try foods in order for them to like them. So, saying that children must not be offered the same food again after rejection is not something to be preached.
So, if your child rejects food, there is still a chance that they will eat it. So, the key is to stay patient with the child. Do not force them or bribe them to try different foods. Another way to encourage them to try new foods is by indulging them in playtime with food.
Myth 5: Food yogurt is a great alternative to fruits
A lot of commercially prepared fruit yogurts are high in added sugars without the benefits of fiber. Yogurt is still a very good source of calcium, protein, and calcium. But to think that fruit yogurt can make up for the fruit intake that is needed for a child is a big mistake.
Try and give children fresh yogurt and add fresh fruits to it instead. This not only is a tasty meal, but also is very easy to be chewed and digested.
Conclusion
Nutrition in children plays a very important role. If you have children try and feed them healthy options and do not believe in everything that you hear. Make sure to do proper research and gather your own information before believing in any of the misinformation. And then help your kids out in choosing the right kind of food.
