Healthy, Happy Kids It’s What’s Inside that Counts

11/16/2007

Do you remember what it was like when you were growing up? How you used to go out on the street and play with old cans and broken branches for tumbang preso and syato? And how you enthusiastically kicked off your slippers when it was time to play patintero?

But as with everything in life, things change. Playing outside isn’t as safe for your kids anymore. Stepping out on the street could mean playing patintero with tricycles and jeepneys instead of friends. Picking up old cans and branches could mean picking up germs aside from playthings.

That’s why as parents you ensure that you give your children every protection imaginable. You buy them raincoats for school, sturdy slippers and shoes for playing and sensible clothes for every kind of weather. But protecting them from the outside may not be enough every time. Maybe it’s time you thought about protecting them from the inside.

Having a stronger body is all about building up your child’s immune system. Remember the old saying “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure?” Well, when the body is strong from the inside, it’s easier to repel diseases like the common cold and the flu.

How do you make sure that your child’s body remains strong? According to the Beverage Institute for Health and Wellness (BIHW) website, “You may already know that a healthy lifestyle involves balancing many different elements - staying physically active, consuming a balanced diet, getting enough rest - and even keeping a positive attitude. But do you know your beverage choices also affect your overall health and wellness? All beverages contribute to hydration. But some also provide important nutrients that help keep your bones and teeth strong and play a role in keeping your heart healthy (www.thebeverageinstitute.org 2006).”

Eating a balanced diet means eating a wide variety of foods to meet your daily caloric and nutritional needs. Different types of foods and beverages can give you vitamins, minerals and energy. Did you know that all beverages can be part of a healthy lifestyle too? “We all know that most juices contain vitamin C, but did you know many are also naturally good sources of potassium, folate and beta carotene, an important antioxidant? Some juices and juice drinks are also fortified with bone-building calcium and vitamin D, giving them an extra nutritional punch that children need (www.thebeverageinstitute.org 2006).”

Some juices also contain selenium which is another mineral that’s essential to good health. What it does for the body is “… Help prevent cellular damage from free radicals… that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease (Office of Dietary Supplements.www.ods.od.nih.gov. 2007).” Selenium also helps regulate thyroid function and plays a role in strengthening the immune system. Sounds pretty good for a simple glass of orange juice doesn’t it?

Beverages like orange juice actually make your job as a parent easier because not only do kids enjoy them, they are actually packed with everything they need to be strong and healthy.

Orange juice isn’t just for kids either, it’s good for adults too. What’s more, setting an example for your kids is probably the best thing you can do to ensure that they develop healthy eating habits. So says the BIHW website. “Because helping children establish health-promoting habits is important to their childhood development and long-term health, parents are often encouraged to be good “role models” for their children. Being a good role model means showing children by your actions what you value - like being physically active and eating a well-balanced diet. (www.thebeverageinstitute.org 2006).”

So what’s a responsible parent to do? Protect your children from getting sick by giving them good nutrition and getting them active. Make sure that you do the same too, so your family can live a healthy and active lifestyle.

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