How Nutrition Affects Both Body and Mind of Kids

Food is the most important sustenance that keeps us alive besides water. It is where we get our nutrients, vitamins and minerals and other beneficial aspects such as socializing if eaten in good company. This is especially important for children in order for them to grow and develop. Food is sustenance, but besides nutrition, it has other impacts in other areas of their lives too.

Behaviour

Even as an adult, missing meals changes our blood sugar levels which affects our behaviour. Especially seen in children, distractions are easy and frustrations occur often. If meals are skipped regularly, ability to concentrate, not only educationally, but also in social interactions will greatly be affected. Observe their behaviour before and after to see how food affects your child. This is so that you can see that the next time they are feeling grumpy, they are probably hungry.^{1, 2}

Since children mirror their parents’ actions, if you want them to have the correct behaviour, you yourself have to eat regular healthy meals too. Asides from regular meals, be sure to provide a child with snacks so that they are held over until the next meal.^{1, 2}

Emotions

With convenience and even more colorful packaging, children can develop less than favorable eating habits. A parent’s early intervention can avoid that from happening. If meal times are too far apart, emotional eating can occur due to being overly hungry. Forcing a child to clean their plate of what they do not like, they can develop negative relationships with food. Even if the contents of the plate are healthy.^{1, 2}

Never try using junk food as a reward for eating what they do not like. It can instill the fact that they must do what is bad first to be rewarded. For children to develop well emotionally, instilling positive attitudes with food can help their body image and dealing with judgement. Allow your child to make food decisions from time to time, as well as your meals, to instill freedom and flexibility.^{1, 2}

Cognitive development

Even if your child is eating, if they are still missing the essential nutrients, memory, speech, performing tasks, reasoning, concentrating cognitive development is affected. Good nutrition does not just build healthy bodies, it helps with their brain development. Nutrients like DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid, an Omega 3 fatty acid), is important for their memory power and eyesight. As in adults, Vitamin E protects the fat in a child’s body cells. Missing meals or not taking your child’s food dislikes seriously not only affects a child’s behaviour and emotions, it has physical impacts.^{1, 2}

Reference(s):

1. https://pediasure.ca/en/the-power-of-food
2. https://www.sahssi.org.au/resources/parenting/can-food-affect-childrens-behaviour/