The healthy growth of children has always been one of the most concerned topics for parents. Good nutrition is essential for children's growth and development, but many parents may not realize that there may be some unhealthy food combinations in their children's dietary Xi. In this article, we will explore some of the new alerts in children's nutrition, alerted by pediatricians that the wrong combination of certain foods can affect a child's development.
The main and secondary foods should not be eaten together
Staple foods and non-staple foods are two important components of a child's diet. However, pediatricians caution that staple and secondary foods should not be eaten together. Staple foods usually include mainly starchy foods such as rice and noodles, while non-staple foods include vegetables, meat, and legumes, among others. The two are digested differently, and if ingested at the same time, it can cause indigestion, affecting the child's appetite and nutrient absorption. Therefore, it is advisable to choose mainly staple or non-staple foods in one meal, rather than consuming them in large quantities at the same time.
Foods high in calcium and iron cancel each other out
Calcium and iron are two key minerals in your child's diet that are essential for bone and blood health, respectively. However, the counteract of calcium-rich foods (e.g., dairy products) and iron-rich foods (e.g., red meat) is often overlooked. Pediatricians note that too much calcium may interfere with iron absorption, so it is not recommended to consume both foods in large amounts at the same time. To make sure your child gets enough calcium and iron, eat these foods separately at different meals or mix them together in the same meal.
Fruit juice should not be eaten with staple food
Many parents think that fruit juice is a healthy beverage choice for their children, but pediatricians warn that fruit juice should not be eaten with staple foods. Fruit juice contains a lot of fructose, which, if consumed with staple foods, can cause blood sugar fluctuations and increase your child's risk of obesity and diabetes. It is advisable to consume fruit juice as a snack or stand-alone drink, rather than with a staple food, to reduce the impact on blood sugar.
High-fat foods should not be eaten with high-sugar foods
Finally, pediatricians caution that high-fat foods and high-sugar foods should not be consumed at the same time. Excessive intake of these two types of foods may lead to obesity and cardiovascular problems in children. Therefore, foods that are high in fat (e.g., fried chicken, chips) should be avoided with foods that are high in sugar (e.g., candy, desserts). In your child's diet, it is important to balance the intake of various nutrients to ensure their healthy growth.