Worst foods for kids

When giving food or snacks to the children a lot of thought has to be given to it. After all you need to be sure of the nutrition value of the food. Children are often addicted to unhealthy foods as they are yummy for the palate but not so yummy for the tummy. When ever you are doing your groceries before you put things in your cart, please read the nutritional value of the snack before buying it. Certain foods are so high in sugar and low in nutrition it is like feeding your child empty calories and paving the way for obesity. In Canada alone nearly 30 % of our children are suffering from childhood obesity because of overindulgence in junk food.

Given below are foods that claim to be good foods but truly deserve the worst food awards for your child-

1.  Granola bars- Many people think granola bars are healthy and will buy in each variant for their child; yes some of them are but not all. Before buying the granola bar please read the nutrition value you will be surprised to see the amount of fiber and sugar in it. For your child’s benefit please pick up bars that have fiber above 2gms and sugar not more than 10 grams. As if the sugar is higher than 10 grams then rather give them a chocolate bar instead of the sugar loaded granola bar.

2. Milkshakes and Smoothies- A large milkshake at McDonald is about 700 calories; these calories are major sugar and less fruit. We would restrict our child from having a whole cheese pizza fearing obesity but will gladly comply with a large milkshake which definitely has more calories than a cheese pizza. Instead of buying a large glass best is to stick to small portions of smoothies or milkshakes for the child as it will be low on sugar and will be easy for the child to digest it too.

Please learn to divide the child’s calorie intake sensibly to make sure he gets proper nutrition the whole day and in all the meals.

Instead of a smoothie opt for fresh fruits which are rich in fiber and contain only natural sugars you can even get them fruits with yogurt which would be less calories than a milkshake. Best would be if you make the milkshake or smoothie for them at home at least you know what all you have added and its nutritional value.

3. Instant noodles- This is the most favorite snack of every child and also mothers as it is the easiest and fastest to cook and feed your child when hungry. But the fact is that these instant noodles have zero nutrition in them and are loaded with sodium in it which is no good when in excess. Too much of salt leads to water retention these instant noodles are only and only junk food to increase their nutrition you should add chopped fresh vegetables as well as some boiled eggs or boiled chicken bits . So be it noodles or macaroni or cheese pasta they are empty foods to make them healthy please add some vegetables in them.

4. Cheese- There is major arguments where cheese is concerned major say it is the best source of calcium but truly it is a good source of calcium fine but it is also a great source of fat. In the 100 odd calories that you intake from cheese you intake 10 grams of fat too.  So if you want to give your child cheese please give it as a topping on their pizza or pasta or add it in whole wheat slices of bread instead of giving them plain cheese slice or . Even better pick up low fat cheese sticks and slices which are easily available at all stores. While picking p cheese read the fat content and the sodium content.

5. Fruit candies or gummy bears - Because they say they are fruit candies please do not think they are healthy they are loaded with sugar making them only rich in fat and not health. Yes they are rich in vitamin C but what about the sugar. Fresh fruits are definitely a better option please inculcate the child to gorge on fresh fruits as a mid day meal rather than fruit bars or candies.

Whenever you go to restaurants do not fall for kiddy meals instead be smarter order a healthy appetizer like a salad or veggie sticks and order a large chicken or veggie pizza or pasta or noodles and spilt it for your children. If you do that from the beginning your children will automatically get used to eating their veggies. You need to be strict with your child’s food habits as it has everything to do with their health if the child has unhealthy eating habit they will be unhealthy.

Get more details at http://www.justthefactsbaby.com/baby/feeding-and-nutrition