Have your fruits and throw away the lollipops!

Asian women focus more on a child’s nutrition and growth when she becomes a mother. This write up is important to those mothers who are concerned about their children’s weight.
Director Baby Care and Founder of Senehasa Foundation Shyamali Pathirage enriches Sri Lankan mothers about childcare through this article.

It is a common fact that children in Sri Lanka are healthier than others in the region. A high standard of maternal healthcare in Sri Lanka compared to others in the region, and the high sense of responsibility on the part of Sri Lankan mothers are the main reasons for this situation.

A large number of programmes which focus on maternal health and nutrition programmes are in place in this country. Eradication of malnutrition, nutrition to the villages and the Triposha programme are some of these which are implemented in this country. However increasing their child’s weight is an issue faced by majority of mothers in this country. 

However the unknown fact is that there is obesity among Sri Lankan children under three.

The latest discovery is that slimness affects a child’s life. 

Accordingly to make a child healthy 

1. He or she should be given only breast milk during the first six months.
2. To maintain a standard weight compared to the weight during birth instead of trying to increase it.
3. keep the child away from both unhealthy food habits and food

Eg. A child is exposed to sweets in terms of both the traditional and modern food habits. A child tends to consume food and drink such as tea, coffee and some fruits with a high content of sugar.  These food habits result in the spread of non-committal diseases.

It is advisable to give food which does not have a high content of white sugar until a child reaches one year. Some use such food as a tactic to make children eat when they refuse food

Sugar is something which is not needed for those who do not tire much and those who lead a luxurious lifestyle. If a child is trained to keep away from food with a high content of sugar he or she would prefer such habits after reaching adulthood. 

It is advisable to give food which does not have a high content of white sugar until a child reaches one year. Some use such food as 
a tactic to make children eat when they refuse food. Refrain from giving food which contain artificial essences whenever a child refuses to eat. Give food which only contain natural sugars. This instruction should be followed with regard to children who are more than one year in age.

See to it that children are given natural milk instead of flavoured ones. Also give them fruits. 

The glucose intake which a child needs should be from food which contains natural sugars. Glucose is essential for the child’s mental growth. Eg: fruits, sweet potatoes and other kinds of yams.

It has been found that getting used to sweets during pregnancy and when nursing a child affects the child within the womb

Give clean drinking water to quench a child’s thirst. One could also give drinks with a low sugar content such as king coconut water, fruit juice, or coconut juice. 
Do not allow the children to have short-eats.

It has been found that getting used to sweets during pregnancy and when nursing a child affects the child within the womb. Therefore it is advisable to minimise the intake of sugar, salt and fatty food during pregnancy and at the time you are nursing a child. Don’t not get deceived by the brands that are in the market. 

Food with high content of fat, sugar and salt could result in kidney diseases, exposure to non comitial diseases and hormones. 

Taboo food for children

 Biscuits 
Especially cream biscuits, biscuits with high content of fat. Give your child cookies which are prepared at home.   

Instant infant food 
See that you give serials which are prepared at home 
Iced cakes and pastries 
See that you give such food which are prepared at home
Refrain from giving sweets, lollipops chips with high content of salts and instant noodles. 

(Gluton in instant noodles are harmful 
Tea or coffee should be taken with less content of sugar or without sugar
Refrain from giving deep fried food such as Pizza, burgers and samosas. 

Give your child fruits or some healthy chocolate after meals