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There is always a wide selection of snacks for your little one. So, the question is, what snacks do you usually give your little one?
Not a few parents tend to provide unhealthy snacks until their children become addicted, for example fried foods, donuts, candy, and potato chips. The snack list is actually low in fiber, as well as high in calories and fat.
In fact, fiber, which is found in many fruits and vegetables, plays an important role in the health of a child's digestive system. In addition, fiber also facilitates children's bowel movements. Children who lack fiber are certainly prone to constipation and the child's immune system can decrease.
So, what snacks should you give your children?
Healthy snacks for children
The number of unhealthy snacks does not mean that parents should not provide snacks for children. However, as a parent you must be more selective when giving it. I recommend choosing healthy snacks, such as high-fiber fruit.
The fiber in fruit contains vitamins and minerals which can also help build your little one's immunity.
According to Nutritional Adequacy Figures (2013), children aged 1-3 years need 16 grams of fiber per day. Launching from Panganku.org, the fiber content is equivalent to 2 kg of boiled carrots. For that, apart from food, parents can also provide healthy snacks, such as fruit to meet the fiber needs of their little one.
Some fruits that can be fiber-rich snacks for your child include:
- Banana. A total of 100 grams of bananas contain 2.4 grams of fiber
- Papaya. In a 100 gram serving (equivalent to 1 long piece) contains 1.8 grams of fiber
- Apple. One medium apple (100 grams) contains 2.8 grams of fiber
- Pear. One medium pear contains 2.8 grams of fiber
- Strawberry. As many as 100 grams of strawberries (about 8 medium sized fruits) contain 3.3 grams of fiber
So that children don't get bored easily, you can create them, like mixing yogurt with pieces of fruit. Another interesting option, you can also make popsicles made from fruit. Snacks like this will certainly make your little one more interested in eating them.
Of course, it takes an effort to introduce food to children aged 1-3 years, because at this age children are just starting to get to know solid foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Therefore, you can help supplement your children's fiber needs by giving them high-fiber milk. In addition to the familiar taste on your little one's tongue, high-fiber milk is also easy for children to consume.
In order for nutritional and fiber needs to be met, the amount of milk given certainly needs to be taken into account. American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends the amount of milk consumption for children aged 1-2 years about 800-900 ml or 3-4 glasses per day, while for 2-3 years old 700 ml or 3 glasses per day.
For fruit, you can provide healthy snacks in small portions and for frequent periods of time for children. A varied menu will make your little one curious and more intrigued to eat healthy snacks. That way, their fiber needs can be met.
The importance of fiber in children's snacks
Children are in their infancy. That is why it is very important for parents to ensure that their nutrition is fulfilled, including fiber.
Children who have sufficient fiber can do activities and learn well without health problems, such as stomach aches. Adequate fiber can improve bowel movements and reduce the risk of inflammation and constipation.
Always choose healthy, nutritious snacks that contain fiber. This is because the digestive tract is likened to a "second brain". When the digestive organs are healthy, children will be more active, happy, and can become great children.
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