Green Meals For Tiny Tots

Kids

oi-Suparna Chakaraborthy

By Suparna Chakaraborthy

Thursday, May 6, 2010, 17:15

For the proper growth of children both physical and mental, the right diet is most important. Children below 13, need a lot of care because it is the time when their organs, hormones and brain develop.

A balanced meal should consist of all the nutrients and in a meal the first course is the most important because it is responsible for building up the appetite. Nutritionist claim that providing vegetables in the first course of lunch to preschoolers may increase their chances of eating more vegetables.

Penn State nutrition researchers have conducted extensive experiments on the portion of nutrient-rich, low-calorie foods given to children and adults and found some interesting results.

In the research, children were given 30 grams (about 1 ounce), 60 grams (about 2 ounces), and 90 grams (about 3 ounces) of carrots as the first course of their lunch, over a period of time.In the second course they were served with pasta, broccoli, unsweetened applesauce, and low-fat milk.

The researchers noticed that the consumption of the veggies portion increased as the amount of carrots was risen.

When children were served 30 grams (about 1 ounce) of carrots, their broccoli intake rose by nearly 50 percent and when they were given 60 grams (about 2 ounces), their average broccoli consumption rose to 63 grams.

The underlying fact is that, children and vegetables are not very good friends. Thus Dr. Barbara J. Rolls, suggest that children should be served with veggie snacks rather than in form of soup or curry. Presentation matters a lot in the meals of the tiny tots.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.