Healthy Children Eat Fiber Dense Foods

Healthy Children Eat Fiber Dense Foods

The low fiber content of the diet is not only a concern in adults. Even children are generally accustomed to a diet that does not satisfy their need for fiber.

The alarming rate at which kids consume processed food is a major concern because when they will grow up; this may lead to cardiac problems and digestive disorders. This is the report of the study conducted by the researchers in Penn State. This report was published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association
 
You must know that it is especially important for children to have a balanced diet because their growth depends on it and so does their future. In fact, researcher Sybylle Kranz, a PhD of nutrition at Penn State, says that correct fiber consumption from an early stage in the life results in healthy diet habits.
 
The general trend is such that by the time a kid is five years old, the fiber intake falls drastically and does not meet the requirements. This happens because the kids have an inclination towards food like pizzas, chips and other junk foods. 
 
One of the ill effects of low fiber intake is constipation in kids. The kids, who are accustomed to consuming a lot of fast food and dairy products, have difficulties in bowel movements. These occasional cases of constipation may worsen and lead to chronic condition in later years. It is not an assumption but a fact proven by the research work done by Dr. Kranz.
 
A fiber rich food not only negates the chances of constipation, it also has other health benefits. For example, a fiber rich diet helps the kid to combat passive smoking better. This has also been proven by a study conducted in Asia. The study showed that the kids who consumed more than 7.5 grams of fiber per day were more resistant to effects of passive smoking and had minimum health problems. The number of problems like chronic coughs was more in the kids who had lesser amount of fiber.    
 
The other great effects of having a fiber rich diet are also very impressive. Fiber apparently has the capacity to decrease the amount of glucose in the blood stream, accentuate antioxidant process and decrease inflammation. A researcher, Stephanie London, spotted out these benefits. These can prove to be the key in the protection of the child against pollution, passive smoking etc.   
 
The question, then, is that how much fiber should be supplied to a child. According to the USDA, a child aged eight needs approximately 13 grams of fiber each day. This is known as the +5 rule. This is the right amount of fiber required by a child and this can be given to him or her by incorporating whole foods in the diet or through dietary supplements.
 
Perhaps the easiest way of providing your kid with this fiber is to give them many cereals rich in fiber or whole grain food. Children are generally fond of baked beans, sweet potatoes, oranges and grapes. Moreover, they are the foods that are full of the essential nutrients especially required by a kid.    
 
Give your children a fiber rich diet and improve their diet. This will go a long way in ensuring a healthy future for your beloved child.