You could be feeding your child on the wrong foods

Jan 14, 2001

Most parents make sure their children's stomachs are full. Some even force feed the children, but of the wrong foods. For example, a child is given a plate full of matooke and some beans.

With Grace Canada Most parents make sure their children's stomachs are full. Some even force feed the children, but of the wrong foods. For example, a child is given a plate full of matooke and some beans. Such a meal contains most bulk, and very few useful nutrients. A growing child needs body building foods (protein) blood building nutrients (vitamins and minerals) and energy foods (fat and starch). Unless a child gets all the necessary nutrients they are likely not to perform well at school work. A child may also fail to attain their full growth potential. Here are some suggestions to help you feed your child health affordable foods: l Before using the family income to buy anything else, set aside money for food. l Avoid spending money on foods such as sodas, cakes, biscuits, white bread, maize flour number one, and fried foods. These foods taste good, but they contain mostly empty calories. Also making a habit of eating such foods may cause your child to develop diseases like high blood pressure; heart diseases, diabetes and other problems. l Buy nutritious, yet relatively inexpensive foods such as eggs, soya products, mukene (small silver dried fish), beans, peas, groundnuts, avocado, bananas, cabbage, green peppers, spinach, buga, dodo, nakati, sukumawiki (collard greens,) pumpkin leaves or any other leafy green vegetables available in your area. l It is necessary to provide your child with two types of protein each day. One from animal source and the other from plants. However, there is not one complete plant protein. In order to get a complete protein from the plant sources, you have to combine legumes with cereals. For example, beans or peas or groundnuts with posho, rice or chapati and bread. An egg a glass of yoghurt or milk are also good sources of animal protein and are relatively cheaper than meat, chicken or fish. A balanced meal should include one food from each mentioned categories. Remember breakfast is a very important meal of the day. Make sure your child does not leave home without having it. The writer holds a MSC in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Ends.

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