Greetings my favorite Dads!
I sincerely hope that you have each enjoyed a fabulous Holiday season and are looking forward to a happy and healthy New Year!
You guys are typically the first on my mind when it comes to the various materials I compile to discuss on my blogs, and I know that we have extensively looked into proper supplementation for you as vital, healthy men! But I’d like to change gears and help educate you on what I feel are the ideal nutrients for your growing child! There are four that I believe are critical, not only for their well being but for their academic performance too!
Learning takes energy. Today’s lifestyles are on the fast track. Your child hits the books in the classroom, attends extra curricular activities right afterwards and has nightly homework. Like you, this hectic schedule can make a daily proper diet rather restrictive and sometimes close to impossible. What we do know as health professionals in the field is that poor nutrition accompanied by a lack of essential vitamins and minerals can seriously impede your child’s performance and productivity.
Incorporating more of the following nutrients into your child’s daily meals and snacks will help propel your favorite student to the head of class and feeling extra confident in their chosen activities.
B VITAMINS:
balance the mind and body by encouraging proper brain function, enhancing the immune system, supporting the nervous system and maintaining muscle tone. Whole grains, eggs and plenty of vegetables are great sources of B vitamins
CITRUS BIOFLAVANOIDS:
help build flexibility and fight infection by enhancing our immune system and maintaining proper hormone production. Encourage your children to eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables such as pineapple, tomato, peppers, mangoes and cantaloupe
VITAMIN D:
helps promote the development of healthy bones and teeth, aids thyroid function and improves circulation and immunity. Think of low fat dairy products, eggs, fish and some fortified cereals and beverages. Don’t forget green vegetables too and at least 20 minutes of daily sunshine exposure as much as possible especially in the Winter months!
IRON:
we wouldn’t have healthy blood or muscle tissue without iron. Nor would we have adequate energy production or a strong immune system. Look for terrific iron sources in eggs, fish, liver, meat, poultry, green leafy vegetables, whole grains and enriched breads and cereals. Legumes and nuts and seeds are also good sources. Taking extra vitamin C with iron rich foods really increases its absorption. So offer a glass of OJ to wash down their iron rich meal or snack.
ADEQUATE PROTEIN:
comprised of different amino acids, proteins are the basic elements of all of our bodily tissues. Hormones and enzymes are also composed of protein. We need good lean protein intake for muscle growth and repair. Nourish your child with low fat dairy products, lean meats, nut butters or low fat peanut butter, eggs and fish.
I am definitely not opposed to also supplementing your child’s diet with a high potency, high quality multivitamin and mineral designed especially for kids for extra assurance for good health. I am here for you guys and welcome any questions you may have in this area if you are in need of some more detailed information and direction.
Cheers to a tremendous 2011! Stay tuned, as there is a lot more expert advice on deck for you as you embark on your leanest and healthiest new year yet! I sincerely look forward to being a reliable and dependable confidante on your journey to improved health and fitness. Please reach out and say hello, I’d enjoy getting to know you better!
Until then, train hard, eat smart and be happy!
SH