The Important Role of Fruits and Vegetables in a Child’s Daily Diet

Children grow and develop at an alarming rate during their early years. Their bodies will not develop correctly, though, without the intake of proper nutrition on a daily basis. While all of us understand that lean meat and other proteins are crucial to the building strong muscles, fruits and vegetables in a child’s daily diet ensure other aspects of a child’s health. Learn their value in the following facts that we provide for you.

Vegetables and Fruits Offer Valuable Nutrients to the Body

Fruits provide vitamin C, potassium, folic acid and dietary fibre along with phytochemicals. Add a combination of citrus fruits, berries, apples and other fruits to the daily diet of children to ensure they receive optimal benefits from these foods. Vegetables provide an excellent source of magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and B vitamins depending on which ones you add to the diet of children. Children should eat a mix of yellow, orange and green vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, yellow peppers, kale, broccoli, green beans and more. Similar to fruits, vegetables contain phytochemicals.

Fruits and Vegetables Strengthen the Immune System

Since adding fruits and vegetables in a child’s daily diet supplies vitamin C and other antioxidants, and phytochemicals to the child’s body, these foods strengthen the immune system. For this reason, when children consume the right amounts of these foods, they will be able to fight off diseases to a higher degree.

Aids the Digestive System

The dietary fibre in vegetables and fruits promotes the smooth operation of the digestive system. This prevents issues such as constipation and other gastrointestinal issues. On top of this fibre, children require sufficient water to move the fibre through the body at the proper rate.

Vegetables and Fruits Decreases the Risk of Obesity

Fruits and vegetables are both low-calorie and low in fat when you prepare them by utilising healthy cooking methods and recipes. When children consume these foods daily, they prevent the weight gain that may lead to unhealthy obesity. With obesity, diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes can follow, and this is why it is important for children to consume a diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.

The above reasons are just a sampling of the important role of fruits and vegetables in a child’s daily diet. When part of your duties at the day-care centre is to ensure that the children receive healthy meals each day, you should consult with our experts here at Hearty Health to learn about our quality child-care catering services. We guarantee fresh, highly nutritious meals each day.