A good diet is fundamental to your child's health
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The
dictionary defines malnutrition as: a dietary condition resulting from
the absence of some foods or essential elements necessary for health;
insufficient nutrition.
Unfortunately many children today suffer
from malnourishment, they may not be underweight, but they do not eat
the essential building blocks to provide nourishment to their minds and
bodies. In fact much of the food targeted at children (and indeed
teenagers) is almost devoid of any nutrients and high in sugar, salt,
bad fats along with synthetic additives which can trigger extremes of
behaviour.
Disorders like Autism have increased dramatically in
the last 20 years or so. Around 1990 the incidence of Autism was, on
average, one in 100,000. By 2004 that had risen to one in 166 children
in the UK and one in 150 children in the USA. This massive increase
cannot be accounted for solely by better diagnosis or even genetics.
Other
conditions like ADD, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia are on the rise in a
dramatic way as well. Often these are accompanied by allergies, asthma
and/or eczema. One thing all these children have in common is a
compromised digestive system: colic, bloating, flatulence,
constipation, diarrhoea, malnourishment and poor eating habits.
Even
if your child is fortunate enough not to suffer from any of these
conditions, ensuring adequate intake of quality food helps in all areas
of growth and development, both physical and mental. The earlier any
of us start eating and enjoying health & tasty food the better we
will be for it in the long run.
While not always easy, it is
possible to change eating habits of children of all ages over a period
of time to allow their immune system to re-assert itself. A healthy
immune system in people of all ages assists the body in healing itself
and provides the necessary nutrients to promote a healthy mind.
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Nutrition: the process of providing or receiving nourishing substances; food; nourishment
To nourish: sustain with food; enrich; promote the development of
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