Why child nutrition is important is sometimes not immediately apparent. However, why child nutrition is important is a question every parent should know the answer to. Studies have shown that between the ages of 0 to 5 years, a child’s brain goes through major changes. These changes stem from growth and development.

What you feed your child during this critical time period is why child nutrition is so important. In order for any part of the body to grow and develop, the body needs nutrition. Not just food, but nutrition. Each body part requires specific types of nutrition in order to grow and function. It is no different for a child’s brain.

Another reason why child nutrition is important is because most people don’t know that 60% of a dried brain weight is fat. Thus, giving your child the right type of fats is essential  for proper brain development. If a child does not receive the right type of fats to feed their brain, it could have a huge impact on the behavior and intelligence.

Why child Nutrition is Important – Essential Fats

It is not as hard as you might think to give your child all the essential fats they need. Give your child plenty of nuts and seeds. The nuts and seeds don’t have to be eaten by themselves. You can sprinkle it over cereal, soups, in salads, or in shakes. Make sure you give your child at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day along with the nuts and seeds.

Vitamins and minerals are the intelligent nutrients. That’s why child nutrition is so important. Vitamins and minerals help to keep the brain in tune. Studies show that children who eat a good amount of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains, have improved IQ over children that don’t. Make sure you avoid giving your children anti-nutrient foods.

Why Child Nutrition Is Important – Anti-Nutrient Foods

What are anti-nutrient foods? And what do they have to do with why child nutrition is important? Anti-nutrient foods are foods that require nutrients to breakdown while providing little to no nutritional value. In short foods that take without giving. These are generally:

• Refined sugars
• Fried Foods
• Hydrogenated fats and oils
• Chemical food additives like coloring, preservatives etc. (yellow #5, benzoic acid, sodium benzoate)

Why child nutrition is important is something that every parent should want to know the answer to. Proper child nutrition helps with the development of muscles and bones. Strong bones are important for children because they play and run around a lot. Children who play a lot are less likely to be obese and over weight.

Healthy children have been proven to have better self images and higher self esteem. And that again is why child nutrition is so important. Children don’t know what foods are good and what foods are bad. It is up to the parent or guardian to teach their children what they should and shouldn’t eat.

Getting your child used to eating healthy foods is the job of all parents. The best way to do this is to adopt the lifestyle yourself. When your children see you the parent eating healthy, they will naturally want to follow suit.

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