Eating Fruits are healthy for any individual, but it is more healthier for growing children,as they need the nutritious source of vitamin C, potassium and fiber which almost every fruit contains. It is also low in fat and calories and supplies key nutrients that your child needs in order to grow. Fruits help protect your child from certain illnesses and diseases including cancer, heart and skin diseases as well as obesity. Hence for parents, it becomes really important to understand the importance of fruits in your kid’s daily diet.
Children between the ages of 6 to 12 years need somewhere between one to one and a half cups of fruit each day. Teenage children must consume anywhere between one and a half to two cups of fruit each day.
Improves Academic Performance
Do you know that adding fruits to your child diet can help them perform well in school, this is because a nourishing and well-balanced diet supports brain development . A healthy diet that includes fruit can also increase your child’s concentration in the classroom so that they can easily retain any new information that they learn
Improved Nutrition
We all know a child’s growing body requires good nutrition, and Fruits and vegetables contain a multitude of vitamins, minerals and other healthy compounds that fit the nutrition criteria. Various kinds of fruits contains various kinds of vitamins and nutrients healthy for your child’s growth for example, Citrus fruits and strawberries are rich in vitamin C that helps boost the immune system. Carrots are loaded with vitamin A that helps promote eye health. And spinach is a good source of iron, a mineral that helps prevent anemia. Apples contain up to 16 different Polyphemus, which are antioxidants with strengthening properties.
Low in Fat and Calories
These days every third child is either overweight or obese. This is largely due to unhealthy diets promoted by the quick service industry- high in fat and calories and low in nutrients. Eating plenty of fruit is a great way to lower your child’s caloric intake. This can help prevent unhealthy weight gain or shed excess pounds. Replacing high-calorie and fat laden snacks with fresh fruit can drastically cut the number of calories in your child’s diet. Fresh fruit contains nutrients that give your child abundant energy to be active.
Fiber
Fruits are a nutritious source of fiber that many children don’t get enough of in their usual diets. Fiber helps your child’s digestive system to keep working normally, reducing the risk of constipation. The right amount of fiber in a child’s diet helps in decreasing the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Other Health Benefits
The vitamins and minerals in fruit help to keep your child’s kidneys working normally, which decreases their risk of kidney stones, and helps them build bone mass. A diet plentiful in fruit can lessen your child’s lifetime risk of certain cancers like throat, esophageal and stomach.
Now, that you know the importance of fruits to your growing child, its best you add up fruits as a take back home gifts in addition to the regular snacks and cookies you buy,fruits will make them grow healthier and stay healthy.
BY SOPHIE AIGBOMIAN
