Why Childhood Nutrition Is So Important

Children are notorious for being picky eaters and for many parents, imagining a toddler throwing a piece of carrot to the floor in disgust is easy - most of them have been there! However tiring it may be to get your child to eat and enjoy fruits and vegetables, studies have shown that having a balanced and nutritious diet has direct impacts on a child’s growth and development. 

Why Nutrition Is So Important For Children

Nutrition is one of the three main factors which impacts a child’s development. Genes and environment are the other two and, although there is no guarantee that what your child eats will make them smarter, a child’s diet is something which can be actively monitored and improved upon. Research has shown that good nutrition early on in a child’s life has direct links to their health and academic performance later on in life. 

Nourishing The Brain

The brain uses more energy than any other organ in our bodies, using up more than 20% of our daily energy intake. This means that everything, from learning to memory, is affected directly by the foods which we consume. Young children, whose brains are growing and developing at rapid rates, need a nutrient-rich diet to help them process what is going on around them. 

Without proper nutrients, children may struggle to develop the skills needed for concentration and memory. Fish, broccoli and berries have all been shown to improve cognitive performance and function, whilst so-called “anti-nutrients” (refined sugar, additives and bad fats) can have negative effects on a child’s mind and brain function, making them feel less focused and hazy. 

Encouraging Healthy Habits

As children grow up and begin to make their own choices and decisions, they can soon become overwhelmed with the confusing world around them, especially when it comes to convenience and fast food. It is important to help children develop healthy habits when they are younger to make it easier for them later on in life. 

Baby led weaning is great for encouraging this, as babies will get to pick and choose the foods they find appealing and get to learn all about their tastes and textures - be warned that it can get messy, so you may want to invest in some coverall bibs!

There are a number of different healthy and child-friendly habits which you can form whilst your children are growing:

• Keep snacks simple with fruit or nuts

• Eat the rainbow at mealtimes and create colourful plates packed with vegetables

• Involve children in cooking and mealtimes, whether it’s helping prep meals, set up the table or being in charge of timings

• Avoid rushing mealtimes - children eat slowly and this helps them to assess tastes, textures and their appetite. 

• Don’t punish children for not finishing meals and avoid using food as a reward 

Most parents understand that nutrition is important and trying to implement this lifestyle can be a struggle. Don’t lose heart if it is challenging at times - it is never too late to make changes.