All parents think they’ve probably succeeded when the kids mellow down with a plate of fries, when they scream and yell for soft drinks and, lo and behold, you pop them in a feeder and into their mouths. Then you gloat about how they’re such well-behaved children.
But do you know what those fries and soft drinks in feeders do to their systems?
Last week, we went to the Nestle Healthy Kids Day ’16 in Lahore and learned a lot about what goes inside a child if their diet is…well, not “right.” There were children who knew more about the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet, changing my perception, too. Before, a balanced diet for me consisted of only daal, sabzi, Weetabix, and lemon water. Appaaarently, it’s not.
Here’s what you need to know, and don’t know about what you’re feeding your children:
1. What your children are eating at school is not healthy
You’re better off making lunch for them, for school (I know I know, not what you signed up for). We can’t be sure of the quality of food they’re getting, or what they’re getting from the canteen actually comes under the food category, tbh. It’s mostly fried food, chips, bottled drinks wagaira. Nothing healthy in particular, just good ol’ heartburn.
2. A balanced diet isn’t boring at all
A balanced diet doesn’t restrict you in as many ways as you’d think. You can eat what you want, in moderation. So kids have their 5 a day (5 portions of fruit and vegetables, as recommended by the World Health Organisation) and then a chocolate. Making healthy eating fun isn’t so difficult. Chocolate-dipped strawberries? Banana-chocolate crepes? Yes we like our chocolate, thank you very much.
3.There’s a lot of products that seem healthy, but they’re not
What are we feeding our kids nowadays? Noodles: ‘rich in fibre’, but only fattening agents; Chicken nuggets: God knows what they’re made with; Yogurt/raita that contain milk solids, dehydrated something and preservatives. I’m confused about where the actual food is. My rule of thumb? If there are more than 3 days between the manufacturing and expiration date of a product, it’s not real.
Sorry for the visual leikin sach toh yehi hai…
4. Children need to eat right, in order to excel in studies
Whether you want your child to become a doctor or an engineer (lol jk let them be what they wanna be), they need to eat right. You know the whole jub tummy muskuraye tub mummy muskuraye scene, right? That’s how your brain functions, too. For example, sugar is the fuel for your brain; too much, and the brain goes into hyperactivity, too low and, well you know how your day goes. Thus, a moderate amount of sugar in your diet keeps your brain running smoothly. And we generally think that sugar is bad for you, right?
5. Your children also need healthy food in order to be physically active
Have you ever seen your child flop down as soon as they return from school? And remember how you couldn’t wait to go play outside with your friends? Your child’s body is trying to tell you something’s wrong. Even if you’re tired, don’t fry something out of the freezer for your child and consider the task done. Children need freshly made food.
Our children need better diets for a better future;
One where they will get to live longer and healthier; that allows them to optimize their potential; where a mother can look at her child with joy, knowing she’s doing the right things while bringing up her child. So no more aching bones, and hurting stomachs. Our kids need to have the promise of a healthy future fulfilled, and we are the only ones who can do anything about it!
P.S. Chocolate is good for health! Just make sure it’s dark chocolate 😉
Nestlé Pakistan recently celebrated it’s second annual Nestlé Healthy Kids Day, a global initiative by Nestlé that plans to educate kids about the importance of healthy nutrition and good hygiene. The program is curriculum based and covers topics of healthy eating, nutrition, hygiene and the importance of physical activity.
