The paleo diet has gained a lot of popularity over the past couple of years, but is it safe for a toddler to start? He's some insight.
Want to give up junk food for more fish and lean meat? Paleo is the way to go! The paleo diet has gained a lot of popularity over the past couple of years, with many people jumping on the Paleolithic bandwagon because of the diets benefits.
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Are you a parent who's ready to try out this diet but are wondering whether its safe to have your kiddo join you on it? The basics of this meal plan sound really healthy, but will this diet give your child the much-needed energy to grow, play, and remain attentive? Read on to find out more about this meal plan and whether or not its safe for your child.
The Paleo diet is a style of eating designed to imitate what our pre-historic ancestors consumed thousands of years ago. The diet mainly consists of fish, lean meats, vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts. According to WebMD, you should, however, stay off foods that gained popularity when farming started about a hundred centuries ago, including grains such as barley and wheat, which make up rice, pasta, bread, legumes, dairy products, starchy vegetables, including potatoes, as well as processed foods, such as snacks, frozen meals, lunchmeat, etc. According to Eating Well, the diet will help lower your reliance on processed convenience foods but exclude some healthful food alternatives, including legumes and whole grains. So, should your child follow suit?
Adults who have been on this diet say that theyve cut weight, lowered blood pressure, or experienced other benefits from it. Debra Nessel, a registered dietician with Torrance Memorial Medical Center, tells WebMD that the diet is a big improvement over the usual American diet since it limits the intake of processed foods, refined sugars, and salt. However, children are an entirely different story. Childhood is a crucial period for growth, not to mention a period where your childs attitudes about eating and food are shaped. They need a lot of different kinds of healthy food that will give them the energy they need. Paleo, therefore, cuts out a lot of what they actually need. So, it is not advisable to put your kid on this diet. Heres why.
Most of the eliminated foods provide nutrients needed by kids, including carbohydrates, which are the key source of energy for the body; calcium, which is necessary for bone growth and development; folate for cell growth and development; and fiber, which is crucial for regulating bowels, which can be a problem for kids. According to Parents, avoiding legumes and grains also gets rid of a large number of complex carbohydrates from kids diets. Your kid needs these carbohydrates for energy since they metabolize carbs four times faster compared to adults.
Making your child avoid entire food groups will give them the notion that theyre dieting. This is categorically saying that some foods are good while others are bad, eventually resulting in the restriction of the bad ones. According to Eating Well, it is terrible to put food groups or lists off-limits for kids not unless it has to be done, for example, if your child has celiac disease or allergies. Restricting certain things feels like deprivation, or kids will end up sneaking or overeating these items when they get access to them. This is not the kind of relationship to food you wantyour kiddo to have.
Why let your child worry just because they took pizza that one time? Or because they had cake at their friends party? As long as theyre taking their veggies, protein, and fruits, then its okay for them to indulge in pizza or cake occasionally. Putting them on this diet will make them feel cheated, resentful, or excluded if they cant eat that cake or snack at school.
There's definitely a lot to consider before choosing to start your child on this diet.
NEXT: How To Slowly Introduce Major Food Allergens To Your Baby
Sources:Eating Well, Parents, WebMD
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Karen Maina is an avid reader, writer, and editor based in Nairobi, Kenya. She's been an administrative assistant, marketing executive, senior sales consultant, tutor, and a content creator. She now works as an organic list writer for Valnet, Inc covering BabyGaga, TheTalko, Moms.com, TheRichest, as well as other sites. The graduate of Kenyatta University Hospitality and Tourism program enjoys reading, travelling, listening to music, and catching up on her favorite TV shows.
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Is It Safe To Have Your Child Join You On Your Paleo Diet? - BabyGaga
