You are what you eat– this statement holds true for everyone including your kids. When it comes to choosing the right nutrition for your child we moms make sure that we hand-pick the food items for our kids to ensure they get the best of everything.
However, there are a few foods we often miss as we think that they are perfectly okay for our child, once in a while. Sadly, that’s not true as there are certain foods that are not only harmful for your child’s brain development, but also make them slow learners.
Yes, that’s right! Here are a few foods that experts say are a complete no-no for your child, of course in excess:
1.Packaged or processed foods
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Avoid packed & processed foods such as packed chips, packed salted chips and other munchies, burger & pizza, noodles (Maggi, cup noodles, and instant noodles) with Monosodium glutamate (MSG).
MSG is used as a flavour enhancer that also causes mood and behaviour changes, including headaches and hyperactivity. It also best to avoid fast foods, pre-cooked foods, and ham.
2. Artificial Colouring / adulterated foods
Many countries have banned artificial colouring due to the detrimental effects these chemicals have on children. Linked to ADHD, anxiety, hyperactivity, and headaches in children, artificial colouring can also cause significant behavioural changes.
Because artificial colouring is found in many sugary foods, parents often blame behavioural changes on sugar. Artificial colouring is also often hidden in unexpected foods such as bread and yoghurt.
That’s why many Indian homes prefer making curd at home than buying from the market. High intake of adulterated foods also affects the child’s growth and overall development.
3. Aerated drinks / Soda / cold drinks /Caffeinated drinks /Tea/ coffee
Caffeine is found naturally in chocolate, coffee and iced tea, and many companies add it to soda and cold medications. For example, a typical can of cola may contain between 36 and 46 milligrams of caffeine, according to the article”Nutrition Matters” from Toronto’s Public Health organization.
Kids’ smaller bodies are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine, which can cause jumpiness, nervousness, sleep loss, hyperactivity, headache or stomachache,
4. Foods with high amounts of sugar
Sugar can cause a child to be hyperactive. Which not only impact students’ grades and performance but also influences their behaviour and moods.
It even has a damaging effect on the baby’s brain and it’s is proven by research. Some foods also contain high amounts of glucose and fructose that may affect the secretion of insulin. This will cause the brain to malfunction, work down and negatively affect the mood of the child and his brain.
Republished with permission from: The Indus Parent
Also read: Ultra processed foods and cancer: foods that may be slowly killing you
