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Categories Dietician for children

Lactose Intolerance 

Lactose Intolerance 

Lactose intolerance is a type of reaction to lactose present in cow’s milk or formula manufactured from it that you or your child may experience. This occurs when our bodies are unable to digest lactose, a natural sugar found in milk. Lactose intolerance affects over 70% of the world’s population. People from Asian, African, and Hispanic ethnic groupings are more likely to have it.

Lactose Intolerance Symptoms

Lactose intolerance has certain symptoms that are comparable to those of a cow’s milk protein allergy. Digestion issues such as belly aches and bloating may be among them. Diarrhoea can also be a symptom.

 A lactose intolerance test, which evaluates blood sugar levels before and after drinking a lactose solution drink, may be given to confirm the intolerance.

If the test reveals lactose intolerance, you will most likely be directed to a dietician, who will advise you on appropriate meals and beverages. To ensure normal growth and development, babies and young children require the right nutrition. If your baby is bottle-fed and has lactose sensitivity, your doctor will probably recommend switching to lactose-free formula milk. Lactose replacement drops, which make it easier for your infant to digest lactose in breast milk, may aid if you’re nursing. For many babies and young children, lactose intolerance is only transitory. Within a few weeks or months, their symptoms will usually improve. It’s safe to gradually reintroduce milk and dairy into their diet at this time.

How Do You Deal With Lactose Intolerance?

When a child is diagnosed with lactose intolerance, the symptoms are relieved by avoiding milk and other dairy products. Those with primary lactose intolerance, on the other hand, have various degrees of lactase insufficiency and can tolerate varying levels of dietary lactose. Lactose-intolerant youngsters (and their parents) should be aware that symptoms caused by dairy products are usually temporary and do not cause harm to the gastrointestinal tract (as compared with celiac disease or allergic reactions, including milk-protein intolerance that can lead to ongoing inflammation and mucosal damage). Despite the fact that lactose malabsorption does not predispose to calcium malabsorption, avoiding milk products to alleviate symptoms may be detrimental to proper bone mineralization. It’s been proven that children who don’t drink milk get less calcium than they need for appropriate bone calcium accretion and mineralization.

Beyond infancy, lactose-free alternatives to cow milk based on rice, soy, or other proteins are widely accessible, albeit the nutritious content of most of these milks is not comparable to cow milk. Lactose is present in other mammalian milks, including goat milk. Tolerance to milk products may be partial, so some people may be able to avoid symptoms by simply changing their diet. Lactose in little doses, spaced throughout the day and ingested with other foods, may be tolerated in some cases, without causing discomfort. Because the bacteria in yogurt convert the lactose into lactic acid before intake, many lactose-intolerant individuals who are intolerant of milk can consume yoghurt. Furthermore, the semisolid nature of yoghurt reduces gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit, resulting in less lactose intolerance symptoms.

Aged cheeses have a lower lactose content than other cheeses and may be better tolerated as a result. Finally, oral lactase replacement capsules or lactase-enhanced milk or dairy products are widely available, allowing lactose-intolerant people to consume some or all milk products without restriction. Because the vitamin D amount of milk substitutes vary, labels must be verified to ensure that each brand’s vitamin D content is accurate.

Lactose-Free Formulas

Low-lactose and lactose-free formulas have no clinical advantages over standard lactose-containing formulas in developed countries, even in the case of acute gastroenteritis, because enough lactose digestion and absorption is preserved, except in severely undernourished children, in whom lactose-containing formulas may worsen diarrhoea and lactose-free formulas may be advantageous. In all circumstances, human milk should be continued for breastfed newborns. Despite the widespread availability and popularity of lactose-free cow milk–protein-based formulas, no research has shown that they have any therapeutic influence on infant outcome indicators such as colic, growth, or development.

Calcium Absorption and Bone Mineral Content Lactose, Calcium Absorption, and Bone Mineral Content

Recent research suggests that dietary lactose improves calcium absorption and that lactose-free diets decrease calcium absorption. Lactose intolerance (and lactose-free diets) may thus predispose to insufficient bone mineralization, a condition now identified in a variety of other paediatric illnesses. The long-term effects of lactose-free diets on bone mineral content and the risk of fractures and osteoporosis as people age have yet to be determined. Protein intake, vitamin D status, salt intake, hereditary and other factors all affect calcium homeostasis, making long-term research necessary to assess the hazards of each or all of these to bone health. Recent research suggests that genetic testing may one day be effective for detecting those at risk of lactase deficiency and, as a result, decreased bone mineral density, allowing for early management with dietary changes or nutrient supplementation.

Summary

Lactose intolerance has been recognised as a frequent condition in many children and people around the world for many years. Despite the fact that lactose intolerance is rarely life-threatening, its symptoms can cause severe discomfort, interrupted quality of life, and loss of school attendance, leisure and sports activities, and work time, all at a cost to individuals, families, and society. Treatment is straightforward and focuses on lowering or eliminating lactose, from the diet or “predigesting” it with supplemental lactase-enzyme replacement. Calcium must be obtained from nondairy sources or as a dietary supplement to avoid indolence.

Kanupriya Khanna, a Senior Consultant Nutritionist & Dietitian with over 18 years of experience in child nutrition, can provide expert advise and the right kind of diet. Kanupriya Khanna is regarded as one of the best dietitians in Delhi because of her unwavering commitment to making a difference in people’s lives by instilling good eating habits and lifestyles.

Categories Diet During Pregnancy, Nutrition Blogs

Diet to prevent pre-eclampsia during pregnancy?

Diet to prevent pre-eclampsia during pregnancy?

Preeclampsia is a disorder that affects women during pregnancy and increases maternal and child mortality and morbidity. During pregnancy, it is identified by sudden increase in blood pressure and proteinuria (presence of protein in urine). High blood pressure is a potentially severe complication of pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia commonly develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a woman who previously had normal blood pressure. Other than high blood pressure and protein in the urine; swelling in the legs and water retention may also be present. But swollen ankles and water retention can also be present in a normal pregnancy and so can be confusing.

One in every ten pregnancies is affected by high blood pressure, generally known as hypertension. During pregnancy, hypertension can manifest in a variety of ways. Pre-existing high blood pressure, hypertension that develops during pregnancy (gestational hypertension), and pre-eclampsia, which affects 2-8 out of every 100 women and begins at 20 weeks of pregnancy, are the most prevalent.

A team of researchers conducted a study of pregnant women’s food habits and their related risks of high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia. They found that:

• Instead of high-fat, high-calorie items, eat at least five portions of fruits and vegetables every day.

• Potatoes are not included in the five-a-day goal.

• Choose wholegrain over refined grains or starchy foods.

• Stick to a low-fat diet and gain weight at a healthy rate

• Consume fiber-rich foods like oats, beans, lentils, grains, and seeds.

• Avoid drinks with added sugars and other foods with a high sugar content, such as candies, cakes, and biscuits.

• Fish is a safe option during pregnancy in general, however the recommendation is to eat no more than two portions of oily fish each week, such as mackerel or salmon. This is because a chemical contained in oily fish (mercury) in excess can impair the development of an unborn baby.

Kanupriya Khanna, a Senior Consultant Nutritionist & Dietitian with over 18 years of experience in antenatal nutrition, can provide expert advice. She is regarded as one of the best dietitians in Delhi because of her unwavering commitment to making a difference in people’s lives by instilling good eating habits and lifestyles.

Categories Other nutrition blog

Substitutes for sugar: Are They the Answer to Better Nutrition and Eating?

Substitutes for sugar: Are They the Answer to Better Nutrition and Eating?

Sugar is frequently blamed for a variety of health problems, including obesity and diabetes. Does this imply that the solution to better eating is to use sugar replacements and sweeteners?

Simply put, the answer is NO!

Let’s have a look at why.

What is the difference between sugar replacements and sweeteners?

Each sugar substitute differs somewhat. However the basic concept remains the same:

sugar alternatives provide the same sweetness as sugar but without the calories.

Many ‘diet’ or ‘light’ beverages, baked items, yogurts, and chewing gum contain them. Sugar substitutes are commonly referred to as “sweeteners” and they are regulated to assure their safety.

The following are some examples of common names:

• Saccharin

• Aspartame

• Sorbitol

• Xylitol

• Stevia extract

Because these sweeteners are many times sweeter than sucrose (sugar), a lesser amount is required to produce the same sweetness. This may cause some people to feel that artificial sweeteners are a healthy alternative.

Let’s look at how sweeteners compare to sugar:

It has long been established that additional sugars are harmful to one’s health. Even while there is less concrete proof in the case of sweeteners, we are overlooking a larger issue. Sweeteners have lesser or no calories as compared to sugar, but they both should be consumed in moderation. They do not provide any nutrients.

So, what does the research say?

Due to their low calorie content, sweeteners have gained popularity as dietary supplements. Artificial sweeteners, according to research, appear to be linked to an elevated risk of several chronic diseases, similar to those associated with sugar consumption. Some of these sweeteners have also been linked with poor gut health. Furthermore, there is no clear and consistent evidence that sweeteners actually lower weight or obesity rates.

Sweeteners appear to have many of the same effects as added sugars. The majority of studies have identified a link between artificially sweetened beverage consumption and weight increase. Another study recently discovered that people who drink diet sodas on a regular basis have a significantly higher risk of developing the diseases that these sugar substitutes are intended to prevent (such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke).

The use of sweeteners in children could be hazardous in some ways. This is due to the fact that exposure to sugary meals throughout childhood can alter taste well into adulthood. Frequent consumption of high-sugar or artificial-sugar foods can change food choices, resulting in higher sugar consumption later in life. Sweetener-containing foods are deficient in nutrients and can interfere with proper growth and development during childhood and adolescence.

Sweeteners may also cause metabolic dysregulation by interfering with the gut flora. Finally, research in children and adults has demonstrated that artificial sweetener consumption (which has no calories) can lead to overconsumption of sweet food (which has calories) when added sugar is ingested later.

Last but not least

Sugar substitutes and sweeteners have little nutritional benefit. At the end of the day, it’s all about moderation. We should limit our use of both. Rather than focusing on which foods are the least unhealthy, try focusing on which foods are the most nutrient-dense.

In case you need a professional help, you can contact Kanupriya Khanna, a Senior Consultant Nutritionist and Dietitian, having more than 18 years of experience. She is one of the best dietitians in Delhi if you are looking for nutritional advice.

Categories Diet During Pregnancy, Pregnancy nutrition

Folate and Pregnancy: How important is it really?

Folate and Pregnancy: How important is it really?

Folate, often known as vitamin B9, is an important nutrient during pregnancy. Folate has a number of critical roles during pregnancy, the most significant of which is ensuring the normal closure of your baby’s neural tube during the first few weeks. Getting adequate folate during this critical phase will help your baby avoid neural tube problems like spina bifida and anencephaly. It is necessary for your baby’s spine, brain, and skull to develop properly. Other research has linked sufficient folate consumption during pregnancy to a lower risk of oral cleft lip/palate and cardiovascular problems in babies.

There is also some evidence that suggests a reduced risk of preeclampsia in the mother. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy issue involving the mother’s blood pressure, which can endanger both the mother and the baby’s life.

Is there a difference between folate and folic acid?

Folate and folic acid have a similar sounding name for a reason! Folate is a naturally occurring nutrient, but folic acid is a synthetic nutrient that is added to specific foods to provide the same nutritional benefits. Folic acid is more stable than folate for fortification purposes, therefore you’ll probably see it in your prenatal supplement! For the sake of simplicity, you can consider them to be the same thing!

Food sources of folate:

Leafy greens, lentils, asparagus, oranges, broccoli, strawberries, egg yolks and avocado are all good sources of folate. Fortified foods including cereal, grains, and whole grain flours also contain folic acid.

Hi to prevent deficiency of folic acid:

To guarantee that your requirements of folic acid are met in the event of you becoming pregnant, all women of reproductive age planning a pregnancy, should take a multivitamin supplement daily containing 400 micrograms of folic acid (with vitamin B12 for effective folic utilisation). As previously said, folate is critical during the early stages of pregnancy, so start supplementing at least three months before trying to conceive. This will guarantee you have adequate quantities to support your baby’s neurodevelopment.

Because pregnant women need 600 micrograms of folate/folic acid per day, dietary sources of folate/folic acid are just as vital as continuing to take your folate supplement! Women having a history of neural tube problems in previous pregnancies, a family history of neural tube defects, diabetes, obesity, or epilepsy may require more folate supplementation. If you think you could be at risk of folate deficiency, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist before starting a higher dose of supplementation.

In conclusion

Getting nutrition advice during pregnancy can be stressful, but we’re here to help! If you need some assistance incorporating folate-rich foods into your diet. Kanupriya Khanna, a Senior Consultant Nutritionist & Dietitian with over 18 years of experience, can provide expert advise.

Kanupriya Khanna is regarded as one of the best dietitians in Delhi because of her unwavering commitment to making a difference in people’s lives by instilling good eating habits and lifestyles.

Categories Children Diet

Diet Culture Dropout: The Best Feeding Advice for New Parents

I’m on a quest to help you rediscover the pleasure that should come with eating. I don’t want you to miss out on memories of your motherhood or your children’s childhood because of food or eating anxieties.

The good news is that optimal nutrition does not need sacrificing a positive relationship with food. Choosing to focus on supporting your children does not imply that you are neglecting nourishment or that you are no longer “caring.” There’s no way. You do it because you care, and you’ll discover that healthy nourishment for your children is the result. So, where do you begin? How may this appear in your home?

It may appear hard to work for something different in your home when you look at the large picture. Especially, if food is difficult to understand and feeding children is a stressful experience. We’re already inundated with “rules” about how to feed our children and how to produce healthy eaters. Diet culture has penetrated a lot of this knowledge. Does any of this ring a bell?

  • Allow no packaged foods to be consumed by your children.
  • Offer them no processed foods.
  • Before the age of two, no additional sugar is allowed.
    • Limit sweets in your home and don’t allow your kids to consume sugar.
  • Nothing frozen should be consumed.
  • Stay away from convenience foods.

But what do you do if your kids gravitate towards foods that are intended to be “off-limits”?

This is where I see power struggles between children, parents and their caretakers begin, and where food becomes a source of conflict.

Perhaps you’ve seen something similar before?

You want your children to eat healthy meals, on the one hand. You want them to be fit and healthy, with a strong immune system to boot. You don’t want kids to have behavioural issues, and you’re concerned about their physique sizes. You want them to succeed and grow into capable, strong adults.

Diet Culture Influences Common Child Feeding Rules

Food rules can influence how we feed our children in the most subtle ways – things we might not even realise are food rules.

It’s critical to comprehend how diet culture operates, as it frequently promotes a rigorous attitude to food and eating while also normalising these practices as the best way to create a healthy family.

Diet culture has been cloaked in the guise of “wellness culture” in recent years, but it is still an unhealthy obsession with the things we eat. Diet culture has become a mainstream aspect of how we conduct our lives, making it difficult to spot it when it appears.

It frequently manifests itself when it comes to feeding our children, which is why this is an important subject to investigate.

Here are a few instances of how diet culture can manifest itself in how we feed our children:

  • Keeping a tight grip on the meals our kids eat or have access to
  • Allowing children to eat particular meals based on external norms (e.g., “Processed foods are harmful, thus they can’t eat any processed foods,” “Sweets are unhealthy for kids,” “We don’t allow any sugar in the house,” and so on)
  • Keeping your child away from events where other outside meals are offered that you are not comfortable with them eating.
  • Are you worried about what your youngster is eating?
  • Using a “good” versus “bad” lens to describe food
  • Trying to teach your child about healthy eating, food selection, and so on

These items may appear to be “applauded” by diet culture on the surface. Diet culture honours and rewards parents who are overly concerned about their children’s health and the foods they eat.

But how much will it cost? Many families who become enslaved to tight eating rules or a black-and-white view of health wind up with more complicated challenges. Mealtimes are typically chaotic when our children are fed through diet culture. Parents may feel trapped in a never-ending cycle of power battles with their kids. When we try to get our children to adapt to our norms or views around food and eating, this doesn’t allow our children to keep their underlying intuitive eating talents.

We essentially take away the autonomy that we want our children to acquire and grow, forsaking the most crucial components of forming a pleasant relationship with food in order to stay in the diet culture’s safe zones. Please believe me when I tell that as parents attempting to raise healthy, capable children, we only have the finest intentions.

I don’t believe any parent is intentionally attempting to sabotage their children’s connections with food and their bodies.

The goal here isn’t to condemn parents in any way; rather, it’s to recognise the toxic milieu in which we’re trying to feed and raise our children. Diet culture has penetrated every aspect of our lives, including how we parent and feed our children. It’s all too easy for us to fall prey to its enticing hooks if we don’t take intentional actions to proactively combat it. To become a part of the system from which so many of us seek liberation. So many of these feeding methods are ones we were exposed to as children, or that our parents were exposed to, and so on – through the centuries.

It all starts with becoming more conscious of how it hides and lurks in your own home, as well as questioning the norms you’ve internalised about food and your body.

What food ideas do you have that are currently influencing how you feed your own children?

Understanding this and taking the time to honestly reflect on it can help you make a proactive decision for you and your family. Take a piece of paper and write down some of the norms or attitudes you have about food or feeding your children that are influenced by diet culture.

If you’re unsure, write down the first thing that comes to mind. When thinking about this, consider TRUST as a component.

If you or your children don’t trust themselves or each other around food, this can be a key motivator for rules, as rules provide an artificial sense of control.

Fear is what keeps rules alive, so think about what you’re afraid of when you evaluate the food rules that have crept into your home or the base from which you feed your children. Diet culture instils fear and fosters the notion that we can’t trust ourselves or our children. Returning to the basics and learning to live and eat free of food restrictions necessitates beginning from the ground up. Because feeding our children involves more than a transaction: it isn’t just handing them food and expecting them to eat it. (Diet culture portrays feeding our children as something to be controlled in this way.)

However, this overlooks the most important aspect of feeding our children: cultivating a trustworthy feeding connection. This provides a sense of security and connection, and it is in this environment that children can learn to trust their bodies and form positive dietary associations that benefit their general health. Cultivating such trust is crucial to having food freedom as a family and breaking the chains of any internalised food rules you may have had.

Learning to consume and feed your children outside of these dietary restrictions can be quite beneficial, not just to yourself but also to your children’s attitudes toward food and their bodies. This is why it’s critical to be aware of the eating rules you follow, whether consciously or unconsciously. What is the perspective from which you feed your children, and how has that perspective been formed?

When you can begin to study and comprehend it, you may begin to demolish it in order to feed your children outside of diet culture’s confines and structures.

This could include bringing in previously forbidden items or questioning your own dietary guidelines regarding what or how much your children “need to consume.” This may appear to be bending your rules about when particular foods are allowed (for example, many of us grew up with a dietary rule that said we could only eat sweet foods after dinner – but why? Who told you that this was the rule? And what is the point of it?

If you’re not sure if the dietary “rules” you have for your kids and yourself are related to diet culture, consider this: “What is the objective behind this rule?” Is there a regulation in place to provide you some control over a dish that makes you feel uneasy? Taking an honest look at this will help you comprehend the rules you may have around food, as well as reveal which restrictions may need to be questioned and destroyed in order for you and your family to enjoy more freedom with food.

Kanupriya Khanna, a Senior Consultant Nutritionist & Dietitian with over 18 years of experience in child nutrition, can provide expert advise and the right kind of diet for the children. Kanupriya Khanna is regarded as one of the greatest dietitians in Delhi because of her unwavering commitment to making a difference in people’s lives by instilling good eating habits and lifestyles. (Children’s Nutritional Needs During the Pandemic:)

Categories Children Diet, Nutrition Blogs

Growing Incidence of IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) in Kids

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder that affects the intestine or colon.  It is also known as mucous colitis, nervous colon, spastic colon, or functional bowel disease.

With IBS, the colon/intestine appears normal, however it does not work the way it should. This disorder usually creates discomfort and trouble with bowel movements.

Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) usually causes:

  • Constipation
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal pain
  • Cramping
  • Diarrhea or a combination of the above

Globally, about 2% to 24% of kids experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, with the incidence of it rising. This condition affects boys and girls equally. IBS is not life-threatening; however, it can be a long-lasting problem. Kids with IBS miss school more often. They feel awful and less able to take part in daily activities.

Cause of IBS is not known. Experts suspect that it could be due to genetics, previous history of an infection or trauma.

Management if the disease includes management of the symptoms. A typical plan consists of elimination diets followed by reintroduction of the foods in consideration. It is important to do this under the guidance of a qualified Dietitan.

In general, some foods that may need to be a part of your checklist are as follows:

  • Include vegetables in your child’s diet plan, except for certain cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and cucumber – since they tend to cause gas and abnormal bowel habits.
  • Serve lots of fruits. Rich in fiber and full of vitamins – fruits enhance the digestive system.
  • If your kid is lactose intolerant, try substituting yogurt for milk.  Else you can try plant based milks.
  • it is important to check for gluten sensitivity.
  • Certain other common allergy causing foods like eggs, nuts, etc may need to be eliminated too.

Say No to Sugary Items

Sugar is an osmotically active compound that attracts water. If the sugar content is increased by the presence of chocolates, candies, bakery items, sweets,  etc, it can exaggerate the symptoms of IBS.

Go Low on Fried Foods

Do not serve too many fried food items. High-fat content food items worsen the digestive process. Consider grilling or baking – for a healthier option.

Lots of Water
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Make sure your kid drinks lots of water. It will improve the bowel movement and will help him/her stay hydrated throughout the day.

Don’t Gorge

When food passes through the gut too quickly, the digestive system can’t keep up.  Hence, ensure your kid doesn’t rush through meals. Make him/her eat smaller meals throughout the day. Rather than 2 or 3 meals, serve 4 or 5 small meals. Make it a habit to serve breakfast in the morning, as this is the meal that stimulates proper bowel movement.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to diet and IBS, so maintaining a food diary can be beneficial.

You can also consult nutritionist Kanupriya Khanna to get some help. A certified child dietician in Delhi – Kanupriya can give you a customized IBS diet plan, based on your child’s age, gender, and activity level.

child dietician in Delhi | kanupriya
Categories Dietician, Everything, Nutrition Blogs

Ways To Keep Toddlers Occupied Indoors

COVID 19 outbreak has kept all of us indoors. Along with elders, toddlers too are getting irritated for being locked inside their homes. Kids might find it difficult to understand what they see and hear.  As a result, they can be particularly vulnerable to feelings of stress, anxiety, and sadness. However, by engaging kids in different activities, you can help them cope up with the situation better.

Have a read below to find ways to keep toddlers occupied indoors:-

Support Your Child’s Academic Learning

 

Amidst this virus outbreak, most schools have started moving towards the online mode of education. The schools are not only scheduling online lectures but are also assigning various home-based activities for different grades.

When your child has to attend the online class, ensure you lend support. As a parent help your child in setting up a study space to help him/her focus and study better. Gather essential supplies and study materials and make sure you turn away all the distractions like loud music, gadgets, mobile, etc. Before your toddler’s online class begins, sit down with him/her, and look through what he/she needs to do on a daily or weekly basis. And if working on your office laptop is inevitable, ensure you set up a designated time where you can assist your child with the regular homework/studies.

Engage Your Child in Some Artistic Activities

 

When going outside isn’t an option – getting creative is a great way to fill the hours. So consider setting up a creative space for your kid with all the required essentials. Engage him/her in doing something resourceful and fun like building blocks, painting, dancing, learning music, etc.  These activities will not only fill their idle time but will also help them grow artistically.

Involve Your Toddler in the Kitchen

We have all cribbed about the lack of quality time with our kids ! So why not make the most of these days? Believe it or not, we will miss this the most when it’s all over. So ensure you use this time wisely.

Set aside a time where you and your child can work together to create a meal. Enhance your child’s culinary skills and help him/her prepare some healthy diet meal plans. If you are afraid of fire accidents and are worried about your child’s safety, you can try recipes that need no fire cooking.

You can also get in touch with Kanupriya Khanna for some amazing no-fire recipes. A well-known child dietician in Delhi – Kanupriya will not only help you with some healthy kid-friendly recipes but will also help you and your children inculcate healthy eating habits to live a healthier and happier life.

You can also visit the website https://kanupriyakhanna.in for some healthy diet plans and food recipes for kids.

Categories Children Diet, Nutrition Blogs

Prevention of Precocious Puberty in Young Girls

Puberty is when a child’s body begins to change into that of an adult. However, puberty is considered precocious when it begins before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys.

In this section, we shall emphasis on precocious puberty in young girls.

Signs of precocious puberty in girls include:

  • Early breast development
  • Early menstruation
  • Rapid growth spurt
  • Development of pubic and underarm hair
  • Adult body odour
  • Acne

Wide variations are seen in the sequence and timing of these events, but the peak growth spurt always precedes the first period.

Early puberty although common is also considered a risk factor for a number of degenerative diseases later in life like early onset of menopause, hormone-related (breast) cancers, metabolic syndrome, early fertility decline, shorter lifespan, etc

What Research Says

  • According to research exposure to chemicals used in the manufacture of nonstick cookware and stain-resistant materials can delay a girl’s first menstrual period.
  • Likewise, plastic vessels, flame retardants, and antibacterial agents tend to cause early puberty and infertility. (e.g. triclosan – which is an antibacterial agent in certain toothpaste)
  • Health experts also claim that day-to-day products/utensils made out of chemicals like PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and BPA (bisphenol A) are harmful to the body. These chemicals act as a hormone and have serious adverse effects during the puberty stage.

Tips to Prevent Early Puberty

While there are many theories for precocious puberty, one can prevent it by following the below tips:

  • Reduce obesity.
  • Encourage your girl child to join a school or after school sport, dance class, or any other physical activity which is enjoyable for her.
  • Reduce exposure to TV and gadgets.
  • Teach simple exercise, meditation or relaxation skills

Preferred Diet to Prevent Early Puberty in Young Girls

Nutrition is one of the most important factors affecting pubertal development. In order to prevent early puberty, you can include the following food items in your child’s diet plan.

  • Vegetables: e.g. cabbage, spinach, carrots, beetroot, asparagus, broccoli, parsley, etc
  • Fruits. e.g. avocado, banana, orange, apples, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, etc
  • Grains e.g. oats, whole wheat, quinoa, millets, etc
  • Dry fruits, nuts, and seeds e.g. almonds, brazil nuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts. etc
  • Dairy products e.g. milk, yogurt, low-fat cheese, etc
  • Fluids e.g. coconut water, fresh lime water, clear soups, herbal Infusions, and lots of natural water.

Food Items to Avoid

  • Eliminate or minimize packed or processed foods from your child’s diet plan. These are calorie-dense and nutrient-poor. They promote obesity and other diseases.
  • Stop soda and aerated drinks completely.
  • Junk food like burger, pizza, samosa, vada pav, should be avoided.
  • Minimize caffeine intake

The above diet plan is simple and easy to follow. However, if you need a precise child diet plan to prevent precocious puberty – get in touch with Kanupriya Khanna. A well-known child dietician in Delhi – Kanupriya will give you a clear-cut diet plan based on your child’s age, gender, and activity level.

Categories Nutrition Blogs, Recipe

Easy, Fun & Healthy Recipes That Kids Can Make (no fire cooking)

Are you are running out of ideas to keep your younger one busy as the days of lockdown roll on? Fear not! We suggest you take them to the kitchen and involve them in meal preparation and cooking. It’s a great way to engage your kids in some activity and help them learn a new skill. Moreover, studies reveal that kids who are engaged in cooking are more likely to make healthier food choices in life.

So here in this section, we have listed down some easy, fun, and healthy *

.  The recipes are simple to prepare and need no fire cooking.

  1. Mixed Corn Chaat

Chaat is one of the best food recipes for kids. Rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and many other nutrients – it improves the digestive health and makes the tummy feel full for a longer time.

Ingredients:

➢ 1 cup boiled corn

➢ 1 onion finely chopped

➢ 1 tomato finely chopped

  • 1/2 cucumber finally chopped

➢ ½ tsp pepper

➢ ½ tbsp lemon juice

➢ Coriander leaves – chopped

➢ Salt as per taste

Procedure:

➢ Take the corn in a bowl.

➢ Add onions, tomatoes, cucumber, salt, and pepper into the bowl. Mix well.

➢ Add lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves

➢ Corn chaat is ready to eat.

  1. Smoothie with Fruits and Nuts

Smoothie is a perfect way to use the fruits stored at home.  A perfect blend of flavor and good nutrition – this drink can keep the body energized throughout the day.

Ingredients:

➢ ½ cup – chopped fruit (any fresh fruit like banana, chickoo, mango, custard apple work well)

➢ a handful of nuts (eg. cashew nuts, hazelnuts, etc)

➢ 1 cup milk

➢ ½ cup yogurt

➢ 1 tbsp honey

➢ ½ tsp cinnamon powder (optional)

Procedure

➢ Mix yogurt, fruits and nuts together in a blender

➢ Now add milk, honey and cinnamon powder to the mixture.

➢ Blend everything well and pour the content into a glass.

➢ Your smoothie is ready to be devoured.

  1. Walnuts & Dates Energy Balls

With just a handful of ingredients, you can craft this recipe is just a few minutes. Rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acid, these energy snacks can be consumed any time during the day.

Ingredients

➢ 1 cup walnuts

➢ 1 cup dates

➢ 1/2 cup desiccated coconut

Procedure

➢ Place the walnuts in a food processor and blend until they have a crumbly texture.

➢ Add the dates and blend again.

➢ Take the mixture and make balls with your hands.

➢ Now roll the balls over the desiccated coconut powder.

➢ You can now store these sweet balls in a sealed container at room temperature or keep them in the fridge, as per your convenience.

For more such healthy recipes – get in touch with Kanupriya Khanna. A well-known child dietician in Delhi – Kanupriya can help you and your kid inculcate healthy eating habits to live a healthier and happier life.

You can also check her website https://kanupriyakhanna.in for some healthy diet plans.

Categories Nutrition and Covid, Nutrition Blogs

Immunity-Boosting Foods for Kids This Monsoon

Rain not only brings respite from the scorching heat but also brings along with it some infections. Children are more susceptible to infections such as cold and flu during monsoons. Therefore it is vital to strengthen their immune system so that their body is strong enough to resist any potential disease.
Include the following superfoods in your child’s diet plan, to ensure they stay healthy during this monsoon.
1. Dry Fruits, Nuts, and Seeds
Dry fruits, nuts, and seeds are immune boosting food items. Rich in iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, and selenium – they make a perfect snack for kids who love munching after regular intervals.
Tip: For a healthy and balanced diet, it is best to eat them in their natural state. Else you can serve it in smoothies or snacks like poha, oats, idli, upma, dhokla, etc.
2. Citrus Fruits
Fruits like lemon, orange, melon, etc are high in vitamin C; a strong antioxidant that enhances the immune system. Superior in antiviral and antibacterial properties – this supernatural food item can be easily added in your child’s diet plan.
Tip. You can serve fresh citrus juice with a dash of mint leaves.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt is yet another super food that should be included in your child’s diet plan. Parents usually do not give yogurt to their kids thinking it could cause cold and cough. However, the fact is that yogurt helps enhance resistance against infections. Rich in vitamin B12, this immune boosting food is capable of strengthening the gastrointestinal tract as well by promoting the growth of gut friendly bacteria.
Tip: Fresh fruits and nuts can be added to yogurt to make a smoothie and enhance the flavor.
  • Muskmelon

This super fruit is a great pick to stay refreshed and hydrated. Loaded with antioxidants like, beta-carotene, vitamin C and folic acid – muskmelon is also known as an immune-boosting food.
Tip: Muskmelon sorbet
  • Tulsi

Tulsi is one of the best medicinal herbs to treat various infections and allergies. The leaves have excellent antibacterial, anti-fungal, and immune-boosting properties and are easily available in Indian households.
Tip: Wash a few leaves of Tulsi, crush it, and mix with honey. A spoon of tulsi juice every day can do wonders.
  • Turmeric

Packed with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, this natural antiseptic promotes immunity – be it any season.
Tip: You can serve turmeric milk with a dash of honey.
  • Eggs

A sufficient amount of protein intake is essential to enhance the immune response, and eggs do serve this purpose naturally. It contains nutrients like vitamin D, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E that the body needs for proper immune functioning.
The current environment is infectious and unhealthy. However, we have to deal with the situation and provide our kids with the best nutrition to keep them happy and healthy.
For more such diet tips get in touch with Kanupriya Khanna. One of the best pregnancy nutritionist and child dietician in Delhi – Kanupriya can give you a precise diet plan to help you stay healthy.
You can also visit the website https://kanupriyakhanna.in for some healthy diet plans and food recipes for kids.
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