Healthy Foods for Kids Essay Example

meat is crucial for the healthy growth of children. Red meat, including organic beef, turkey, chicken, and eggs, plays a significant role in preventing nutritional deficiencies among children.

The consumption of healthy meat is encouraged for children, such as organic meat, eggs from free-range chickens, caught fish, grass-fed beef, and luncheon meats (Prentice & Jebb, 2003). However, they should avoid certain types of meat like processed meats served with processed food, processed chicken meat in nugget form, meats with nitrates, and commercially raised fish, beef or chicken. It is advisable that individuals consume fruits and vegetables with low sugar content. This contrasts with the American diet that generally includes a larger quantity of fruits in comparison to vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables both contain fructose, a type of sugar that can potentially harm our health. Although children often prefer fruits due to their high sugar content, it is crucial for parents to ensure that their kids consume both fruits and vegetables in order to maintain good health (O'Dea, 2003). Interestingly, in the United States, French fries and ketchup are commonly regarded as vegetables. However, not all foods provided to children with the intention of increasing vegetable intake, such as potatoes, peas, and corn, offer the same nutritional benefits (Chen et al., 2006). Many children obtain their vegetable nutrients from potato-based products like pea juice or even ketchup.

Studies have indicated that children who incorporate both fruits and vegetables into their diet are less likely to develop illnesses (Rolland, et al. 2003). Parents have a significant impact on shaping their children's eating habits. It is essential for kids to consume a variety of green and leafy foods such as spinach,

cabbage, cucumbers, bananas, avocado, berries, radishes, carrots, beets, cauliflower, celery and even onions in order to obtain the nutritional advantages from both fruits and vegetables. Additionally, specific fruits can also serve medicinal purposes and should be consumed following meals.

This concept highlights the significance of giving priority to vegetables rather than fruits. The rationale behind this is that vegetables are always accessible, unlike seasonal fruits like berries. Introducing a range of fruits to children is advantageous as it helps them cultivate a fondness for sweet fruits. Some examples of fruits with high sugar content include melons, oranges, pears, peaches, papaya, apples, and pomegranates (Glanz et al., 2008). Moreover, dried fruits like cranberries, dates, raisins, and prunes also possess natural sugar and find usage in medicinal applications.

Children should avoid certain fruits and vegetables, like fried foods such as French fries, onion rings, and potato chips. It is also advised to stay away from fruit snacks or juices due to their high sugar content and lower nutritional value compared to other fruits. In the United States of America, adults have influenced the practice of allowing children to consume both fast food and healthier, low-fat alternatives (Rolland et al., 2003).

Parents who prioritize their children's nutrition often choose low-fat foods to prevent weight gain, but excessively restricting fat intake in children can have negative impacts on their health. This is because dietary fats are crucial for helping the body tissues absorb important vitamins (like A, D, E, and K). Breast milk, renowned for its high nutritional value for infants, contains approximately 50% saturated fat. As children grow, they gradually shift from consuming high-fat foods to opting for lower-fat options.

Insufficient facts

primarily lead to a decline in myelin health, caused by the rapid ingestion of saturated fats. This consequently coats the cells in the brain and stimulates the generation of impulses. Children below the age of 13 to 14 necessitate approximately 28 to 30 percent of saturated fats in their diets (Attia, et al. 2011). When choosing facts, it is recommended to steer clear of fats like engineered fats or hydrogenated oils.

The sources of dietary fats include coconut, flour, butter, avocados, olive oil, animal sources, nuts, and seeds. According to Attia et al. (2011), fats that should be avoided are polyunsaturated oils such as peanut liquids, canola, vegetable oils, shortening fats, and hydrogenated oils. Fiber is important for children as it lowers cholesterol levels and prevents constipation and other bowel-related problems.

References

• Chen, L., Remondetto,G.E., & Subirade,M.(2006). Food protein-based materials as nutraceutical delivery systems.Trends in Food Science & Technology,
  17(5), 272-283
• Chomitz V.R., McGowan R.J., Wendel J.M., Williams S.

A., Cabral, H. J., King, S. E., ..., and Hacker, K. A. (2010).

Healthy Living Cambridge Kids: A Community based Participatory Effort to Promote Healthy Weight and Fitness. Obesity, 18(S1), S45-S53.

The European journal of nutrition published an article called "Vitamins and minerals: a model for safe addition to foods" (42(2), 118-130). The article emphasizes the significance of including vitamins and minerals in food. Karnik and Kanekar (2015) conducted a study that brings attention to childhood

obesity as a global public health emergency. O'Dea is also mentioned, but there are no additional details about this reference.

(2003). Why do kids eat healthful food? Perceived benefits of and barriers to healthful eating and physical activity among children and adolescents. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 103(4), 497-501. Prentice, A. M., & Jebb, S. A. (2003). Fast foods, energy density and obesity: a possible mechanistic link. Obesity reviews, 4(4), 187-194.

The article, "Creating healthy food and eating environments: policy and environmental approaches" authored by Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., Robinson-O'Brien, R., and Glanz, K. (2008), examines methods to encourage the development of healthy food habits and environments.The reference for the publication is "Public Health, 29, 253-272."