Are Your Kids Getting Enough of These Nutrients?
By Sara Butler
There are some kids who will eat anything you put in front of them, so you can rest easy knowing their little bodies are getting what they need to grow strong and healthy. But some kids won't eat anything that isn't white -- forget eating the rainbow, you're lucky if they eat at all. As a parent, you need to get your child to eat as many nutrient-dense foods as possible, especially vegetables. There are some nutrients so important, they deserve extra attention. So ask yourself: Is your child getting enough of these important nutrients?
Iron
Iron is vital to your child's development and growth. It helps the entire body get enough oxygen -- and you know just how important oxygen is to your health and wellness. Iron is found in dark, leafy greens, fish, beans, red meat, and chicken.
Calcium
You know that your child needs calcium to help build strong teeth and bones and getting enough early in life ensures your child is achieving maximum bone density by the time they turn 18 years old. After that, bone density starts to decrease and much later in life osteoporosis can set in if they didn't get enough calcium as a child. So, to say calcium is important is an understatement since you're pretty much setting them up for the rest of their lives.
Luckily, many children won't turn their noses up at sources of calcium in their diets such as cheese, milk, and yogurt.
Protein
Since the advent of chicken nuggets, protein may be one nutrient your child is not lacking in. But if you're dealing with an extremely picky eater who claims to be a vegetarian (which is code for picky-tarian), then you need to be a little more creative with plant-based proteins such as beans and soy. Protein is essential for your child's energy and for their muscles to repair, so it can't be skipped over.
If you have a challenging eater, try to get them to just try one new thing each week. A child may have to try something a few times before they decide if they like it or not, but you shouldn't give up trying to ensure your child is getting the important nutrients they need to stay healthy. If you have questions or concerns about your child's eating habits, then talk to the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic today!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mukilteo, Wash.