Early Morning Mistake: It is every parent’s heartfelt desire that their child always remains healthy and fit. For this, we also make every possible effort and take special care of their food. We include milk, dried fruits, and many other nutritious items in their diet. But many times, unknowingly, we feed such things to children, which prove to be harmful instead of beneficial for their health. Especially if these things are given on an empty stomach in the morning, then they can have a very adverse effect on the health of children and their physical growth.
Today, we will inform you about some food items that you should not give to your child on an empty stomach in the morning, even by mistake.
1. Milk on an empty stomach? Not!
Often, parents have the habit of giving a child a glass of milk as soon as they wake up in the morning. However, let us inform you that this method is not suitable at all. Milk contains protein and lactose, which can cause stomach heaviness, gas, or indigestion. Primarily, it is not suitable at all for children with already weak digestion.
The lactose present in milk can cause lactose intolerance in many children, which causes stomach problems.
What to do: If you want to give milk to the child, then give it something light like soaked almonds or a banana to eat. This will be easy to digest and also beneficial.
2. Citrus fruits or their juice? Wait a little!
Citrus fruits like oranges, seasonal fruit, pineapple or grapes should not be given to children on an empty stomach in the morning. They contain a lot of citric acid, which can damage the mucosal lining (inner lining of the abdomen) of children’s stomachs. This can cause problems like heartburn, acidity, gas and stomach pain in the child.
Citrus fruits contain high amounts of citric acid, which can increase gastric irritation if taken on an empty stomach.
What to do: It would be better to let the children have breakfast first, then only give them such fruits or their juice.
3. Too many sweet things? Start the morning right!
Children love to eat sweets, but it’s best not to start breakfast with too many sweet things. Sweet biscuits, cookies, desserts and sweet cereals can cause a lot of harm on an empty stomach. Starting the morning with sweets can cause a rapid increase in the child’s blood sugar. Due to this, the child can feel irritable throughout the day, and his energy can also be very low. Eating sweets on an empty stomach also slows down the digestion process.
Consuming excessive sugar on an empty stomach in the morning can cause a rapid increase and then a drop in blood sugar levels, which can lead to mood swings and fatigue.
What to do: Include nutritious and less sweet things in breakfast.
4. Cold drinks or packaged juices? Stop these!
Children often insist on drinking cold drinks and packaged juices early in the morning. But consuming both of these early in the morning can be very harmful. They contain a lot of sugar, preservatives and artificial colours, which are extremely harmful to health.
Packaged juices and cold drinks contain high amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients, and regular consumption of these can be harmful to children’s health.
What to do: Try not to include these two things in the child’s diet at all. Fresh fruit juice or homemade sherbet are better options.
5. Dry fruits or nuts on an empty stomach? Give only after soaking!
It is also not right to give dry fruits or nuts directly to children on an empty stomach in the morning. It may be a little tricky for children to digest them, and they may have acidity and gas problems in their stomachs.
What to do: It is most beneficial to feed dry fruits soaked in water overnight in the morning. They are not only easy to digest but also highly beneficial for the brain and overall well-being.
Taking care of your child’s health should be our first priority. By taking care of these small details, you can provide your child with a healthy and happy childhood. Do you also give your children something in the morning that is not on this list? Do tell us!