There is so much hype around specific ‘Super’ foods, yet parents feel the guilt of their kids not liking them/getting them. So lets focus on the key basic foods that are ‘superfoods’. Nutrition is a super important part of growing our kids into happy, healthy beings.
Here are 3 superfoods which will supercharge their health & well-being:
- Vegetables – I can’t put the spotlight on just one of these superfood groups, I apologise there is just way too many nutrients that vegetables as a whole can provide. The important thing we focus on here is that they are actually getting some in. So my tips, choose a variety so they get use to the different flavours, for example broccoli, carrot, potato, pumpkin, kale, lettuce, spinach. Keep putting it on their plates even if they refuse to eat it as it is this consistency that helps build healthy habits and Mum’s and Dad’s eat your veggies too, we are the biggest role models in their lives after all!
- Protein – Again, as a nutritionist I cannot out the spotlight on just one food to provide all the goods. Kids are growing at a rapid rate, they (and all of us) need protein to ensure this happens in a healthy way. Ensure that your child’s plate has some form of protein, it could look like any of the following chicken drumsticks, lamb chop, nuts & seeds, eggs, steak, beans & legumes, unsweetened full fat Greek yoghurt
- Salmon or sardines – yay, finally an actual food. These fish are incredibly high in omega 3 essential fatty acids which our bodies cannot make. This means it’s entirely up to the foods we consume to get this all important fat. Omega 3’s are crucial for proper brain development, keeping inflammation at bay and supporting hormones and the nervous system. Now, I totally get that these 2 foods aren’t exactly the easiest foods to get our kids to eat, heck even adults cringe at the smell of a tin of tuna but my tips to get this superfood in, is to mix it with things e.g. salmon and potato patties, fish bake, sardine smash on toast. While it does require a bit of creativity (& consistency), it is so worth it in the end.
To get some individualised advice for your child’s nutrition, book a consult with our Nutritionist Jess Cheney today.
