12_BT_December2019

Baby & Toddler
Nutrition
body. This damages the body's immune
system and leaves children susceptible
to various diseases and ailments.
A deficiency of iron, for example, can
lead to anemia. Anemia, combined with
the overload of complex sugars and
saturated fats found in any sample junk
food, can lead to a weak and habitually
lethargic child.
Deficiency of calcium damages the
teeth, nails and bones, reducing bone
density and increasing the chances of
skeletal damage and tooth decay.
Point to ponder for
pregnant moms
Studies have suggested that
even heavy consumption
of junk food by a pregnant
woman can result in the child
being predisposed to favor
the taste.
What can parents do
As stated earlier, fast food doesn't
necessarily mean junk food. Salads,
fruits (preferably fresh and whole/
sliced, or else in the form of fresh fruit
juice), nuts and non-processed cheese
can make for healthy and tasty quicksnacks.
Including more veggies and
fruits in meals never hurts, although
kids are likely to reject the relatively
bland alternatives in favor of spicier
junk foods, even if the blander options
are the healthier ones.
Habituating children to healthy foods
without introducing junk foods from
a young age is the most reliable and
effective way to keep the kids off junk
food, without having to admonish them.
If you can't get your children off
unhealthy fast foods, you can at least
make healthier choices for them.
nn
Getting a pizza without the usual
extra cheese would go a long
way. Nobody can taste the extra
cheese anyway!
nn
Burgers can be ordered with a single
patty instead of the usual double,
and with extra lettuce (or coleslaw),
tomatoes and onions.
nn
Whole wheat bread contains
much more fiber than the white
counterpart, and thus aids digestion.
Making (or ordering) sandwiches
made from whole wheat bread is a
healthier option.
Alternatives will help decrease adverse
effects, even when resigned to giving
in to your children's clamor for junk
foods. However, it is worth keeping in
mind that the craving for the addictive
tastes is only natural. Going cold
turkey on this matter and banishing
fast foods completely may only serve
to fuel the craving.
While junk foods are harmful if
consumed continually, occasionally
indulging in the sinful pleasure is fine.
When it comes to enjoying things
in moderation, nothing teaches kids
better than following in their parents’
footsteps, so practice what you preach
and lower your own intake of such
foods too.
Make your own
healthier version
Homemade versions of
burgers, nuggets, pizza and
the likes can be prepared
in healthier ways, such as
reducing the amount of
spices, sugar and salts, or by
using low-fat or non- dairy
products. Freshly cooked,
homemade fast foods
are inherently
healthier than their
commercially sold
avatars, for you
are in control of
what goes into
the recipe.
BabyTalk | December 2019 35