Proper meals do not mean proper nutrition for your kid

“Beta, one more!” this is what we keep saying. As parents, we strive to give our children the best of everything, especially when it comes to food and essential nutrition. For our fussy eaters, parents concoct endless innovative ideas to trick them into having a balanced diet. And even after such efforts, many parents are shocked to learn that their child is undernourished.

“Over 60% of children in India weigh right but are undernourished.”

The problem, we may feel, is due to picky eating. But, that’s not true. There are times when the kid is eating properly, has all kinds of health drinks, and fruits and nuts, and is still tested undernourished. Because nutrition and full meals do not mean the same thing. The issue is sometimes medical.

• Your child detests a certain food item: Have you considered that it may be because he feels bloated or lethargic after having it? He could be mildly allergic to that food and not really making an excuse.
• Your child has fragile bones: You make him drink two glasses of milk everyday along with calcium tablets, and still he fractured his bones from a mild hit. It could be the case of calcium absorption impairment.
• Your child is cranky and moody: Did you know, anaemia can cause severe mood swings and crankiness in kids? Your child’s fussy nature could be an outcome of iron deficiency!
• Your child is overweight: Most parents are happy to call this situation as having a healthy child. However, undernourishment can cause obesity too. Most food items sold at grocery stores today are calorie-dense but nutrient-poor.

These are just four things that you could easily miss because there is a lack of awareness. Even our elders and pediatricians are oblivious to such advanced information. And there is no way of knowing this about your child’s health unless there is a professional intervention and a full physical and medical checkup is involved.

Nmami Agarwal

At Nmami, the meaning of good health is folds - Nutrition and fitness are essential to well - being. Know the right balance to stay on the health track.