Health World News and Features

NOWADAYS, moms are faced with the challenge of providing and establishing the right dietary habits for their children. Imagine a mother’s frustration when the child wants to eat junk food for lunch and dinner. But before she gives into her child’s nutrient requirements that will ensure proper growth and development of both and development of both body and mind.

A study utilized by the Department of Health shows the worsening malnutrition problem in the Philippines, especially among school age children. It pinpointed eight essential nutrients that are deficient in the Filipino child: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, folic acid, calcium, iron and iodine.

The following lists the reasons they are necessary for your growing child:
*Vitamin A helps strengthen the immune system.

Vitamin C aids in faster recovery from wounds and burns, and together with Vitamin E, helps reduce the risk of developing cancer later in life.

Vitamin B1 assists in blood formation and brain function.

Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is essential for healthy red blood cell formation and antibody production, and helps in the metabolism of food.

*Iron makes kids more energetic and gives their skin a healthy pinkish glow.
*Folic acid promotes healthier hair and nails.

*Calcium is needed for muscle growth and is critical for bone growth and bone development in children.

*Iodine is important for the proper development of brain and body coordination.

It is therefore crucial for Filipino parents to know the essential nutrients they must provide their kids, may it be from balanced diets or from nutrition-packed chocolate-powdered drinks. Picking the right supplement, the one which contains the right blend where the macronutients complement the micronutients, can spell a great difference to a child’s future. In the meantime, finding more creative ways to serve the right food can be just as fun to the mom and the child.

Manila Bulletin

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