Children's healthy DIET GUIDE

The ideal diet comprises a mix of all food groups — grains, meat/fish, fruits, vegetables, and dairy

- KIRAN BALIMANE

While expounding the importance of providing children with a balanced and nutritious diet is easy, consistently following it is challenging for modern-day parents. It requires time and concerted effort to plan and prepare meal plans incorporating proteins and minerals essential for children's optimal growth and development. The ideal diet comprises a mix of all food groups — grains, meat/fish, fruits, vegetables, and dairy.

Dr. Saurabh Khanna, a lead consultant in pediatrics and neonatology at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, shares some guidelines for parents to incorporate a healthy diet.

Whole grains. Opt for whole-grain bread, pasta, and cereals, rich in essential nutrients such as fibre and vitamin B. Millets such as quinoa, are good alternatives to white rice and refined flour. Boiled/red rice is more nutritious than raw rice.