No matter how careful parents are about the food given to their children, it is never enough. The food that children eat affects their growth and development. Mainly packaged foods can have a negative impact on the growth and health of children.

“Commonly it is believed that packaged foods, especially fruit juices, are very healthy and hence given to children. But it contains sugar, as well as preservatives that are used to help food last longer, which are very harmful to the health of the body,” says Dr. Anuradha K. C. from Kakunje Ayurvedic Wellness Clinic.

It is better to give children the whole fruit instead of giving packaged fruit juices. Nowadays children are mostly into refined foods. The refined foods like cake, pastry, donuts, burgers, and bakery items are mostly made from maida, which are not good for children. Instead, they can be given foods made from wheat flour or rice flour at home.

It is better for most parents to cut down on giving ice cream, and chocolates whenever the children ask them. And today’s children tend to have more salt than they need leading to a number of health issues, including kidney problems at an early age.

In packaged foods, including chips, salt is entering the body in a number of different ways, along with enough salt needed for the item. Practicing four meals a day for children after the age of 5 to 6 years is also very helpful for children’s digestion.