Child Upbringing – An art as well as science
Which food to be given to the children? Bananas are good for kids or not?
To give simple, balanced, pure diet is inevitable for child's development. It is necessary to tell the child
to sit and eat properly and chew the meal. It is not good, if child does not chew and swallow the food. It
is necessary to be focus in eating only.
Eating habits while watching T.V. and playing is also wrong. On later stage food with excess of pepper-
spiced, oil, sugar, and salted harmful. Please avoid to feed ready to eat food items which are called
"junk food" like bread, biscuit, toast, cakes, pastries and coldrinks to the children. You can give coconut
water instead of giving coldrinks. You can give sour fruits also if it suit them. Proportionate quantity of
dry fruits and seasonal fruits are also good for children.
Bananas are considered as excellent for children. Bananas contain potassium, protein, vitamin C, B6
and fibers, which have many advantages. Children who eat a banan on daily basis have been diagnosed
with asthma 34% less than other children. Children who regularly eat fruits such as Banana, oranges
etc. get good protection against cancer. A medium size banana can provide 422 mg potassium.
Consumption of diet with high levels of potassium can help to avoid leukemia. Normally a banana
contains 105 calories and even water quantity is also good. Fat is almost negligible. Magnesium is
considered to be good for the heart and we also get it from bananas. Bananas are considered to be great
for children who are active for the whole day. This also gives children relief in the cramp.
In addition to bananas, nuts, chickpeas, corn, peas etc. are considered very beneficial for children.
Green vegetables, raw salads - Tomato, cucumber, carrots, bitroot and fruits should be given regularly.
The children should have hot-fresh breakfast and milk in the morning. In the afternoon, staple food
should be given to children. Later, give snacks and milk in the evening. In the night please give light
food in the dinner. Give less salt, sugar, ghee, oil or nil. Give suffficient pure water to drink.
Please avoid to give coffee and also give less quanity of candy, chocolate, pippermint, soft drinks,
pickel, paapad (thin crisp cake made of flour mixed with spices), farsan ( any saltish preparation made
from flour of gram and other pulses spiced and fried) and sweets. Do not allow them immediately to go
for play or run after having food. Let them to have half-an-hour rest by reading or restful activity.
Please avoid non-vegetarian food. It does not suit to our digestive system. Mankind can live healthily
by having only fruit also. One opinion is that we are Frutarian. Fresh, seasonal fruits are considered to
be good for humans. Only fruits can be sufficient for required nutrition. Water needs for human can be
also fulfilled by it. According to some experts, the milk should be given to the child for 8-10 months
only. The child should be given solid food as it tooth comes.
And lastly, we should trained children to do fasting occassionally, so digestive system can have rest and
rejuvanate.
Bakulesh Thakkar – 093222 28565
Dr. N. C. Joshi – 098 2020 9191