Pharmaton® Kiddi® - Food for health

Food for health

Choosing the right food for a growing child is not an easy task. The requirements of the growing body change with each different phase of development. Even with the right combination of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, a healthy diet also requires the correct balance of micronutrients to ensure a strong immune system, growth and mental development. Recent research has revealed that a significant number of children in industrialised and developing countries have deficiencies in key micronutrients. Healthy nutrition may seem to be more time-consuming for busy parents. But it's possible to prepare great-tasting healthy food for your child without being tied to the kitchen. Here are some tips for nutritious children's diet.

Junk-food free zone: Make your home junk-food free. Many fast foods fill children with high calories but lack valuable micronutrients. Eliminate cola, lemonade and other sugar, carbonated drinks from your shopping list. Keep juice in the fridge instead, and mix it with mineral water for a refreshing fizzy drink. Set a good example by avoiding high-fat, low-vitamin foods.
Fresh fruit: Convenience food from Mother Nature, fresh fruit is the perfect vitamin-rich food for growing bodies. Ensure that you have a good supply of seasonal fruit available in your home all year round. Check that fruit and vegetables are as fresh as possible: long periods of storage and transport diminish levels of micronutrients. Encourage your child to peel a banana, slice open an orange or eat an apple whenever she/he wishes.
Watch for hidden calories: Many products, such as mayonnaise, yoghurt and ice-cream, advertise themselves as "low fat" but have almost as many calories as full-fat products. This is due to the high levels of sugar and other carbohydrates they contain. Check the real calories in these products and teach your child the health problems associated with being overweight.
Be relaxed: At various stages in childhood, food becomes a tool for asserting independence. For toddlers, but also for pre-adolescents, under-eating or overeating can be an expression of individual power. Try not to get caught up into this battle. Let your child explore this tool, but don't react to it emotionally. A regular dose of Pharmaton® Kiddi® provides extra reassurance that they are receiving the key nutrients they need.