Nutritional Blog

Water…so important for your children While we all know the benefits of milk for strong bones and more in growing children, we often forget about the benefits of drinking enough water. Whilst there are no nutrients in water per se, it has a vital role to play in helping the body metabolise (use) other nutrients. Water makes up more than half of kids' body weight and is needed to keep all parts of the body functioning properly. Some of the physical benefits if drinking water include preventing constipation, aiding digestion and ensuring proper circulation. Dehydration Some argue that, since a...

Vitamin D   Vitamin D is known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because our bodies can make vitamin D from the sun. When sunlight hits our skin, the ultra-violet B (UVB) sun rays are used to make vitamin D. Adults can get vitamin D from exposure to the sun; however, it is not possible for babies to safely get the vitamin D they need from the sun. Therefore, health authorities now advise that babies and infants are given a vitamin D supplement. I will discuss vitamin D guidelines for children later in this article.   Why do I need vitamin D?...

Benefits of porridge for children   A good breakfast is important for a child’s development; however many children are getting a less than nutritious breakfast (with many skipping breakfast altogether). We want the best for our children. We want them to get the most out of school. We want them to develop, grow, learn and play.  For this to happen, it is vitally important that our children get each day of to the best start. This means a healthy balanced breakfast.     For hundreds of years, a healthy breakfast for a child was generally nothing more than a bowl...

Children’s Nutrition Part 1 Different nutrients are needed for a balanced diet. Nutrients are made up of Macronutrients (big) which are essentially carbohydrates, fats and proteins and Micronutrients (small) which are vitamins and minerals. Different foods have different micronutrients and macronutrients. Water Staying hydrated is important to ensure all our nutrients are absorbed properly. Dehydration causes fatigue and lack of concentration. In general, children should aim to drink about 6 to 8 glasses of water per day to in addition to what is obtained through diet i.e. soups Lunch School lunches should be nutritionally balanced, they should include at least...

Infant nutrition   As a pharmacist and a parent, I have observed a lot of misinformation and confusion around infant nutrition. Many parents struggle to make informed decisions about what to feed their babies, which can have serious consequences for their child's health and development. The purpose of this article is to provide a general overview of infant nutrition, including the different types of infant formula, the benefits of breastfeeding, and some general guidelines for introducing solid foods.   Breastfeeding   Breastfeeding is the recommended method of infant feeding and has numerous benefits for both the mother and baby. Breast...