Nutritionist told how to properly feed children in the summer

Tatyana Meshcheryakova, a nutritionist and dietitian at Level Kitchen service, in an interview with Moslenta, named the main rules for healthy baby food in the summer

According to her, it is worth increasing the caloric content of a child’s diet by 15%, this is due to the fact that children spend summer days much more actively, which means they need more energy.

“That is why, running home, they grab any food that comes to hand. For this reason, the daily caloric content of the children’s diet should be increased by 15-20 percent of the usual norm,” she said.

Meshcheryakova also recommended increasing the proportion of protein in the child’s diet, as well as reducing the consumption of fast carbohydrates, that is, sweets. She noted the importance of including seasonal fresh vegetables and fruits in the child’s diet, as they will contribute to the healthy growth of the child’s body. At the same time, she noted that children eat vegetables without salads, so it’s not worth complicating dishes.

The nutritionist also advised to feed the children later than usual for lunch, this primarily applies to babies. In hot weather, she recommended giving children the opportunity to have a snack, and moving a full meal to a time after daytime sleep.

The doctor also pointed out the importance of forming in children the habit of drinking clean water – not boiled, but from a well or bottled. According to her, in the heat, along with sweat, the child loses vitamins and minerals, and the risk of dehydration increases. She also urged to reduce the consumption of soda by children, suggesting to replace them with at least juices. Meshcheryakova said that for a child between the ages of two and seven years, the amount of clean water to drink should be at least one liter, and from 7 to 12 years old – at least one and a half liters. To prevent a child from catching a cold, the water temperature should be at least 15 degrees, the nutritionist explained.