When children start school; Changes may occur in children's eating habits and patterns due to reasons such as moving away from home, moving to a different environment from the lifestyle they are used to, and the influence of friends. During this process, the mother should not stop monitoring her child's nutrition, on the contrary, she should ensure that her child has adequate and balanced nutrition for a successful school life.
In children during school period; While the consumption of sugary, prepackaged foods, acidic and sugary drinks, and fast-food style foods is high, the consumption of foods containing vitamins, minerals and fiber may be insufficient. As a result, it can start from childhood and affect the whole life; Conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and psychological problems are encountered. For this reason, the nutrition of school children should be monitored and healthy and balanced lunch boxes should be prepared.
When preparing a lunch box, some general principles to consider are as follows:
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Meals should be created to meet the daily calorie and nutritional needs of the child according to his age and height. Thus, it is ensured that the child is at an ideal and healthy body weight.
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There should be a variety of foods in the lunch box. Meal contents should be rich from all food groups. In a meal where the carbohydrate, protein and fat balance is planned correctly, the child will be satisfied in terms of eating and all the child's physiological needs will be met.
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Lunch bags contain very high sugar and additive content. Prepackaged foods should not be included. Instead of; Desserts made at home, richer in nutritional values and cleaner in content can be included. In this way, we can prevent the child from directing him to the canteen and making an unhealthy choice.
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Fresh vegetables and fruits are food groups that should definitely be included in lunch boxes. In this way, we increase the fiber intake in children and support the intake of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
The period between the ages of 2-10 is a period in which many habits are acquired in children. . nutrition habit Acquisition of memories also occurs during this period. Whatever the child sees from the family, he takes it as an example and applies it. Therefore, if we want to instill healthy and proper nutrition in our children, we must first eat healthy and properly ourselves. The child will take his parents as an example and will follow the family's diet as a lifestyle in his later years.
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