Why Your Child’s Appetite Matters?

Adequate or a complete and balanced nutrition will greatly influence appetite regulation and growth rate in your child. A balanced diet should have enough carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers with food and alternatives (eg. Pediasure 3+). Each one of those has a specific purpose purpose for growth and development by supporting immunity, building healthy eating habits, and learning ability.^{1, 4}

Good Appetite Keeps Immune System Strong

The homebase for immunity for your child is in the gut (good bacteria) and their main source of food is Fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) or dietary fibers from plant-based sources. To replenish the gut bacteria, you can add probiotic rich foods like yogurt or fermented foods with live cultures (eg. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus acidophilus). But since most of these types of food have strong flavors, nutritional alternatives like Pediasure 3+ can be used. It is rich in vitamin C, E, Zinc and selenium, known as “Antioxidants”, to support the body’s fight against free radicals that harm healthy cells.¹

Optimizes Growth and Learning Ability

In the initial 5 years of a child’s life, nutrition is very important, or there may be developmental delays and growth issues. Usually, increased hunger and weight gain are signs of growth, if your child is not showing either sign, your child might be undernourished. Food is energy and a child who is lacking in energy will not be able to concentrate nor keep up with academics. The brain requires a lot of nutrients to function, and deficiencies hinders communication, memory, and oxygen distribution (blood flow). For this a child will need plenty of good quality carbohydrates, proteins, Linoleic Acids (omega 6), and iron. A varied diet of liver, lean meats, fish, eggs, beans, and iron-fortified foods or nutritional supplements should suffice.^{2, 3}

More Likely to Carry Good Eating Habits to Adulthood 

Those initial 5 years of their life is also an important time to teach children to have a good relationship with food.^{1, 2} Healthy eating habits are what will prevent obesity, eating disorders, and not be distracted by hunger. Since children learn from their parents, it is good practice to model healthy eating habits yourself. You may not have control over their taste preferences, but you do have control over the quality. Study important nutrients your child needs more of and learn to read food labels. When you know what food item is best for what nutrient, you can begin to make healthy swaps for otherwise nutritionally poor items your child likes.^{1, 3}

A good appetite is essential for achieving optimal growth in areas of physical, mental, and the immune system. Help them eat regular meals, but when your child needs an extra boost for a more complete & balanced nutrition, Pediasure 3+ can help. Pediasure 3+ has been formulated with 37 vital nutrients to help catch up growth for children who need it. ^^ Now enriched with arginine and vitamin K2, it provides key nutrients to promote development of strong bones and build muscle tissues.

Want to get a free sample? Please visit Pediasure Myanmar today to sign up.

References:

1. https://pediasure.in/child-nutrition/child-growth-and-development
2. https://vikaspedia.in/health/nutrition/nutrition-and-growth
3. https://www.child-encyclopedia.com/child-nutrition/according-experts/feeding-skill-appetite-and-feeding-behaviours-infants-and-young
4. https://pediasuremyanmar.com/formulation-support/
5. https://abbottfamily.com.sg/products/page/pediasure

^^   Alarcon PA, et al. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2003