Good nutrition during childhood is essential for adequate health and survival. It has been reported that more than 25% children in developing countries are moderately or severely malnourished!
Infant nutrition is one of the most worrying aspect. Lack of dietary pattern and poor quality diets are major risk factors. Parents are always in dilemma as when to introduce weaning food to their child and what type of food should introduced. It had a significant impact on infant's health and affects the nutritional status of infant.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
• Encourage but don't force your child for trying new food - Introduce new food to children in very little amount. For eg. If they don't like any pulses or any other food product, combine it with chapati or you can make sattu. Children is in growing stage every nutrients is important for healthy bones and muscles.
• Offer healthy snacking - Avoid junk food, establish healthy snacking and meal habits. For eg. If your baby is fussy eater, kept healthy snack in front of them. For eg. Instead of cakes/ muffins, add millet muffins/ energy bars etc. Instead of chips/burgers, add salad/ veg franki
• Meal should be simple and colorful- Remember at this age children like that food which look colorful and tasty. Prepare simple food add different colorful veggies, so that they can eat easily.
• Don't give mobile phones to children and turn off TV- especially in meal time - Children are easily influenced by ads for unhealthy foods. The best way to avoid this is put in a place where other family members are sitting. Due to this children develop healthy habits and away from mobile phones & other gadgets.