Your child immune defense is like a door that protects the body from bacteria, viruses and other antigens that have the potential to cause illness. With the help of certain nutrients, your child can maintain a healthy intestinal tract and promote development of the cells and antibodies that fight antigens. A well-balanced diet is essential for a healthy immune defense system. ¹

The first step to a healthy immune system is:          

Knowing Your Nutrients!

The first step to a healthy immune system

• Nucleotides– Essential for normal cell function and replication
• Prebiotics– Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) & Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) is food to support the growth of probiotics
• Zinc and Vitamin A, C and E– Help to protect cells from free radicals that may have escaped the natural processes of the child body system

Immune-boosting tips

• Give it a shot– Check with your child’s doctor to make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date
• Nourish his diet– While missing certain vitamins and minerals may weaken immune response, diets rich in nucleotides (lean meat and mushrooms), prebiotics (nuts, beans, and whole grains), and probiotics (yogurt) can help strengthen it
• Breathe easy– Avoid exposure to immune weakening cigarette smoke and toxic substances (household cleaners, fertilizers, and pesticides)
• Get physical– Exercise isn’t just good for physical and mental development, it will get his immunity in shape, too

Reference(s):

1. https://abbottfamily.com.sg/articles/science/immune-system

Keeping your child’s bones healthy during their growing up years will help maximize growth and reduce the chances of bone related issues occurring (osteoporosis/weak bones). Though vitamin K2 and Arginine are highlighted for bone quality and health, the roles of phosphorus & magnesium are underappreciated, while most also probably do not associate hydration with water for bones. Even though these nutrients are found plentifully in food, a child may not be getting enough depending on the type of diet they follow and may need child nutrition supplements (eg. Pediasure 3+) to fill in the gaps.^{1, 7}

These are a few of the most important nutrients for developing a healthy bone growth:      

Arginine

Technically an amino acid, it is responsible for triggering various growth factors in the body. It helps cells in the growth plates of bones to multiply efficiently to help them grow longer.⁷

Natural Vitamin K2

It helps balance the various bone cell functions that break down (Osteoclasts are responsible) old bones to build (Osteoblasts are responsible) new ones. It helps bind calcium to ensure strength and growth.⁷

Calcium

This is the base material the bones of your child are made up of. It is what provides the skeleton with strength and rigidity and relies on other nutrients to help its efficient absorption.^{2, 7}

Phosphorus

It combines with calcium to form calcium phosphate, which is the substance that gives our skeletons rigidity. Phosphorus is many animal and vegetable food sources where calcium and protein are abundant. A balanced diet should suffice for required phosphorus, but deficiency symptoms can range from loss of appetite, stiff joints, fatigue, irritability, weakness, and weight changes in your child so pay attention to those symptoms.^{2, 3}

Magnesium

It helps convert vitamin D into a usable form and regulates hormones for bone growth and development. Magnesium also helps regulate mood, energy production and muscle functionality for growth and regeneration. Magnesium is especially abundant in leafy vegetables, figs, dates, whole grains, and nuts.^{2, 4}

Water 

Our bones are composed of minerals, collagen, and water composition of 31% when they are healthy.^{5, 6} The marrow depends on water for red blood cell production, so dehydration can hinder the transportation of nutrients like arginine, vitamin K2, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus for bone and overall health. In other words, dehydration can lead to musculoskeletal conditions like osteoporosis. To encourage your child to drink more, infuse with their favorite fruits or add water to natural fruit juices.^{5, 6}

A complete and balanced nutrition is very important for children in their crucial years of growth. We prioritize vitamins D, E, C, Calcium and Protein for optimal growth, but children need essentials like Arginine and K2, similar to the benefits of Phosphorus & Magnesium, to help with nutrient absorption. Always choose healthier food swaps, but when food alone is not enough or you are faced with a picky eater, Pediasure 3+ can help. PediaSure 3+ is a source of complete balanced child nutrition formulated with 37 vital nutrients, including Arginine and Natural Vitamin K2 to support catch-up growth in children who need it.^^ Pediasure 3+ can be served on its own, with meals, or as a snack as per Pediatrician’s directions.

If you would like to try before going for the full course, visit Pediasure Myanmar today to sign up for free samples.

Most of the kids love to drink sweetened beverages. Most sugary drinks have more calories than being nutritionally beneficial. Look at the ingredient list for each drink and study the nutrition information panel, to distinguish the smarter and better beverage choices. Here are some general guidelines to know, so that your children stay healthy and hydrated.¹

Water

Make sure your child drinks six to eight glasses of water a day. It is ‘on average’ because daily liquid requirements can also come from soups, juices, and even fruits. Vegetables also have high water content, so be sure to give your children an adequate amount per meal per day.

Milk

To have a well-balanced diet, up to 2 glasses (250ml) of milk must be consumed. Your child can get part of the daily required proteins, calcium, and many other important things for growing. You can add flavor to the milk to make it more appealing.

Juices

Make the choice with juices that have no added sugar. If you really can’t find any, the next best step is “low sugar” options.  Limit packaged fruit juice to one glass a day or even less to only a few times a week. Encourage your child to eat more fruit instead as these contain more fiber.

Sweetened drinks

These types of drinks should be occasional treats served in small portions. These can be used as the occasional treat. Served in small portions, these beverages should not replace other more nutrient-dense fluids in your child’s diet.

Reference: https://abbottfamily.com.sg/articles/pre-school/healthy-drinks

From the very beginning to their children growing into adults, it is a given for parents to worry about them eating well. This can turn into forcing little ones to finish food via fear tactics or give in and spoil the child. Both do not address picky eating behaviors with the risk of being harder to correct when older. As children are, alternatives must be provided, so when food alone is not enough, learn how child-friendly nutritional supplements like Pediasure 3+ are ready to provide support.^{1, 3}

1. Planning meals together gives a sense of responsibility, thus control
   Even the most responsible parents need help and what better place to look for it if not from their children? By listening to their opinions, you can directly provide your counter healthier choices they might love. Not only does these activities give them a sense of responsibility, autonomy to their favourite ingredients, but also accountability. But all in all, if the meals include what they like, they may be more motivated to finish it.^{1, 2}
2. Make grocery shopping a fun event lets them see that there are way more options
   This will expose your children to the sights and the wonderful fun colors of fruits and vegetables. Share facts on interesting looking ones and even throw in a story about how their favorite characters relate to some of them. You can even teach values, how to pack groceries, and counting change. If your children are old enough, you have fun and teach them that since fresh fruits weigh more than a bag of potato chips, it means you get more food.^{1, 2}
3. Cooking and having fun is a great way to bond
   Food is what brings family together so the act of cooking itself can be another source of bonding activities. It can show children how much work and effort it takes to cook and eating it will be appreciative of the effort. Start off simple by reading recipes, whisking eggs, mixing sauces, and assembling final dishes. For more excitement, throw in a hint or two that they might get access to the “secret” family recipe if they do well.^{1, 2}
4. Link good food to good health for a positive attitude
   It’s important for your children to have a good relationship with food to avoid nutritional issues later in life. For example, you can highlight lemons are high in Vitamin C for boosting immunity so they never miss playdates. Or why they must eat fish for protein because it is to become strong and fast to beat the fellow classmate in a race. Or milk for calcium for stronger bones and muscles to carry all their toys

All in all, though your child’s picky eating will not change overnight, it is up to you to provide the tools to curb it. If you are worried that your child is still not getting enough nutrients through food, Pediasure 3+ child nutritional supplement is here to help. Available in powder form for convenience, Pediasure3+ has been scientifically designed to fulfill a child’s nutritional needs with 34 essential nutrients to support growth, even if they are little picky eaters.

Request a Free Sample Today.

1. https://abbottfamily.com.sg/articles/pickyeater/5-ways-to-engage-picky-eaters#
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/childrens-health/art-20044948
3. https://abbottfamily.com.sg/products/page/pediasure-rtd

To make sure your child develops healthy eating habits, start them at a young. Instead of just telling, show them how to be healthy. Involve them in making choices and do not make a habit of making some foods the enemy. By doing these things, it can help your child develop a healthy relationship with food for a lifetime of good habits. Remember that though you cannot control how much they eat, you can control what they eat (eg. healthy swaps and nutritional alternatives like Pediasure 3+ instead of fast-food shakes). Here are 3 good practices to keep in mind when guiding your child through ways of developing healthy eating habits.^{1, 6}

Be the guide, not the dictator

Some parents fall into the habit of using the “I’m the parent, don’t question me” statement to make their child eat. This may work for a while, but run the risk of having your child develop a bad relationship with food. A parent’s unhealthy attitudes with food can get very easily passed down to their children. For this reason, it’s never too early to start modeling healthy-eating habits so that your children may follow suit. Make a wide variety of healthy options available in the house and nothing is considered off limits, but are available for occasional treats.^{1, 2}

Plan for Snacks

When you plan for snacks at specific times of the day, you can control your child’s hunger ques without spoiling the actual meal. Snack time is also a great time to include the items that did not get included during the mains and it is an opportunity to have them be healthy. Children love snack time and they will respond better to food if they have a bit of say in it. Without disallowing the occasional handful of chips or a few cookies, have many varieties of fruits, low-fat yogurts, peanut butter jelly sandwiches and whole-grain crackers with cheese. You may even have fruits prepped in easy to eat slices or cubes. Children will most likely eat what is available, so it is within a parent’s power to limit the options of sweets and fast foods in the household.^{3, 4}

Believe in your child’s likes and dislikes  

Your child knows their own appetite and likes or dislikes. Forcing them to clean their plate will only further distance them from that item. You have to accept the fact that your child may request the same favorite item over and over again, while it is like tug of war with others. Kids love making decisions and providing alternatives to their dislikes is a great way to get them to try new foods. You may not be able to control the quantity they eat, but you most definitely can control the quality.^{3, 5}

Developing good habits takes time and that is why it is important to always look for ways to incorporate healthy options into daily meals. Good eating habits now will possibly lead to a lifetime of healthier choices for your child. But when food alone is not enough, a complete balanced child nutrition supplement like Pediasure 3+ can help. PediaSure 3+ has been formulated with 37 vital nutrients, including Arginine and Natural Vitamin K2 to support catch-up growth in children who need it.^^ Pediasure 3+ can be served as a snack, with meals, or as per Pediatrician’s directions.

If you would like to try before going for the full course, visit Pediasure Myanmar today to sign up for free samples.

Carbohydrates provide a source of energy. In a child’s active lifestyle, carbohydrates are a vital source of energy to keep them active ^1-3 .

Proteins can be found in meats, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, and beans. Due to children’s growth requirements, they need adequate amounts of protein for optimal growth and to repair body tissues. ^1,3

Fats make a great source of energy too and are needed by the body to absorb fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fats also insulate all nervous system tissues in the body and are the building blocks of hormones. ^1,4

Vitamins are important to keep children healthy. ¹ An example would be Vitamin C, an important antioxidant that helps with bone formation and the absorption of iron. It can be found in fruits like strawberries and oranges. Vitamin E, found in nuts, seeds and leafy vegetables, is meanwhile a key antioxidant for a healthy nervous system and an important nutrient to support developing cells. ⁷

Minerals are needed to develop healthy teeth, bones, and muscles when children are in their formative years.  A significant development of teeth, bones and muscles happens during a child’s first 10 years.¹ An example of a mineral is calcium which is an abundant mineral in the body and essential for building strong bones, teeth and muscle. Another important mineral is potassium which plays a role in multiple key functions in the body. It is found in vegetables and fruits.

Fiber is important in helping children develop and maintain good functioning intestines as well as supports their body’s immune system and also helps children in having a regular bowel movement.^{5, 6} Fiber also helps in reducing the risk of constipation and other digestive disorders. Fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, also vegetables such as broccoli, collard greens, and swiss chard make great sources of fiber.

References:

1. National Institute of Nutrition ICMR. Dietary Guidelines for Indians – A Manual.; 2011. http://ninindia.org/DietaryGuidelinesforNINwebsite.pdf endorsed by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-based-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/india/en/
2. World Health Organisation. Healthy Diet Fact Sheet No. 394. September 2016. http://www.who.int/elena/healthy_diet_fact_sheet_394.pdf. Accessed October 7, 2016.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/. Accessed October 7, 2016
4. FAO of the United Nations. Fats and Fatty Acids in Human Nutrition.; 2010. http://www.fao.org/docrep/019/i1953f/i1953f.pdf
5. Anderson JW, Baird P, Davis RH, et al. Health benefits of dietary fiber. Nutrition Reviews. 2009;67(4):188-205. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00189.x.
6. Stewart, Nathan, ” The health benefits of dietary fiber consumption of adults in the United States” (2014). Graduate Research Papers. Paper37.
7. http://scholarworks.uni.edu/grp/37
8. https://pediasure.com/child-development-nutrition/powerful-nutrition-kids