Are your kids hooked on junk food? These simple tips allow children to eat right without turning mealtimes into a battle zone.
Remember that toddlers are still in their early formative years and they will require adequate nutrition to grow and develop healthy bodies.
Eating well supports your child’s
healthy growth and development into adulthood and may even play a role in
lowering their risk of suicide. If your child has already been diagnosed with a
mental health problem, a healthy diet can help them manage the symptoms and
regain control of their health.
Keep in mind that children aren’t
born with a craving for unhealthy meals and a preference for junk. They pick up
preferences from food options they’ve been exposed to. Hence, the sooner you
expose them to healthy meal choices, the easier they’ll be to adopt a
healthy relationship with these food options that can last them a lifetime.
There are lots of benefits
when you feed your toddlers with healthy meals. Find below the 10 health
benefits we’ve listed out and thank us later!
1. IMPROVED HEALTHY PHYSICAL GROWTH
It’s really an amazing experience
watching your baby grow into a toddler.
However, if they are not eating
healthy meals, they will likely lack the vital nutrients that enable their
normal growth.
Remember that toddlers are still
in their formative years; therefore, their body requires good nutrition for
continuous growth and also to keep them physically strong, active & healthy
always.
2. BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
During the first few years of a
child’s life, the brain is still in its formative process and it requires
enough nutrients like vitamin C and iron for proper development and
functioning.
If a child does not eat healthy
meals that contain enough of the nutrients needed by the brain, it can retard
the development of brain cells, slow down cognitive efficiency and cause
learning difficulties.
Nevertheless, all these can be
avoided if you feed your toddler healthy meals to keep her smart and
active.
3. BETTER DIGESTIVE HEALTH
A fiber-rich diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole
grains promotes good digestive health in toddlers. Fiber helps regulate bowel
movements, prevents constipation, and supports the growth of beneficial gut
bacteria, contributing to overall gastrointestinal wellness.
4. STRENGTHENED PARENT-CHILD BOND
Sharing mealtimes with toddlers strengthens the parent-child
bond and promotes positive family dynamics. Mealtime conversations, shared
experiences, and positive reinforcement during meals create lasting memories
and reinforce a sense of love and security within the family unit.
5. BUILDING BODY IMMUNE SYSTEM
Toddlers have a less developed
immune system which makes them quite vulnerable to some viral infections.
That’s why processed foods with
preservatives shouldn’t be encouraged as most of them have little or no
nutritional value and may not assist in boosting their immunity.
As a matter of fact, a
well-nourished diet is capable of boosting a toddler’s immunity thereby
reducing the chances of frequent illness.
6. IT GIVES FORMATION FOR STRONG BONES AND TEETH
Children’s bones grow throughout
childhood – their bones keep growing bigger and stronger until when they are
adults – but grow fastest during toddlerhood.
Thus, children need to eat healthy so they can reduce the risk of fragile and poor bone
formation, as well as reduce the risk of tooth decay or gum irritation when
they are much older.
Meals that are rich in vitamins,
calcium, phosphorus, and protein are the building blocks for strong bones and
teeth.
7. IMPROVED BEHAVIOR AND MOOD
Toddlers could be picky at the
beginning, especially when they are still getting used to the taste of new
foods, and it is okay if they are.
However, after a few months of
introducing them to a new healthy diet, they should get used to it.
Introducing a healthy diet very
early in their life can greatly reduce the chances of being picky or selective
as they grow older.
9. ENHANCED SOCIAL SKILLS
The viruses and bacteria that can
cause illness in young children are more dangerous if major nutrients are
lacking in their meals – their immune system will be too weak to combat the
disease.
Therefore, getting your toddler
to eat healthy meals can promote their body’s ability to fight against
diseases.
Notably, when children start the
first few years of their lives with whole and healthy meals, it can reduce the
risk of many health issues that can affect them both during childhood and into
adulthood.
11. IT MAY PREVENT MALNUTRITION
Do you know that malnutrition can
occur in toddlers when their diets have little or no nutritional value?
Malnutrition can have negative
effects on your child like weight loss, short stature, weakened immunity,
reduced appetite, and fatigue.
Hence, your toddler’s meal should
contain the essential nutrient that prevents all these risks in toddlers and
also enables them meet-up the nutritional requirements needed by their bodies.
12. PROVIDE MORE ENERGY
Every parent wants their child to
grow up healthy and strong.
However, one of the most
important things you can do as a parent is to make sure your child eats not
just any meal but a healthy balanced meal – that provides them with the
nutrient reserves they need for instant energy – to keep them active, less
clumsy and happy.
13. IMPROVED PROPER NIGHT’S SLEEP AND MAKE YOUR DAYS ACTIVE
Healthy meals have a way of
helping toddlers sleep better at night.
After a day of playing and
jumping around, they become tired and need to sleep.
Healthy meals can prevent a
child’s sleep from being disrupted by reducing the risk of any form of stomach
discomfort at night.
Importantly, sleeping at night is
essential for a toddler as it helps relax their body system and calm their
nerves.
In addition, this can contribute
to their being active and full of energy when they wake up in the morning.
14. SUPPORT FOR HEALTHY SKIN
Nutrient-dense foods contribute to healthy skin in toddlers.
Essential fatty acids, vitamins E and C, and zinc found in foods like avocados,
nuts, and seafood support skin barrier function, hydration, and collagen
production, promoting smooth and supple skin.
15. ENHANCED COGNITIVE FUNCTION
Nutrient-rich foods support cognitive function beyond basic
brain development. Certain nutrients, such as antioxidants and phytochemicals
found in colorful fruits and vegetables, protect brain cells from damage and
support cognitive function throughout life.
16. FEWER CRAVINGS FOR UNHEALTHY FOOD
More often than not, most healthy
meals are not artificially sweetened in nature and tend to reduce a child’s
cravings for processed meals.
With healthy meals, children are
well-satisfied and can remain active during the day without needing any
unhealthy snacks between meals.
Importantly, healthy meals are
the gateway to healthy living not only for adults but also for babies. The
earlier healthy meals are included in their diet, the better chances they have
of growing into healthy adults.
Wrap Up
In
conclusion, providing healthy meals for toddlers yields numerous benefits that
extend far beyond just physical health. From promoting growth and development
to establishing lifelong healthy eating habits and fostering social skills,
nutritious meals lay the groundwork for a vibrant and thriving future. By
prioritizing the nutritional needs of toddlers, we can support their overall
well-being and set them up for success in all aspects of life.
Remember: Always avoid foods that
can be detrimental to the health of your toddler and do not forget to lecture
them on the importance of healthy foods as they grow older.
Therefore, you should regularly
offer foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Feeding your toddler healthy
meals can help them maintain a healthy weight, and avoid certain health problems
like stunted growth, and obesity, while also benefiting your toddler’s overall
health.
After all, good nutrition is one of the keys to a healthy life.
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