Eating helps children increase resistance against nCoV

A healthy diet, living environment, reasonable rest, and stress avoidance will help children prevent diseases effectively.

Many parents who bring their children to a nutrition clinic are very interested in how to feed their children to increase immunity during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The prerequisite in the prevention of Covid-19 for children and the whole family is to avoid contact with sources of infection, not to go to crowded places and where the health sector is zoning, monitoring, and complying well with 5K (mask - disinfecting). - distance - not focus - medical declaration).

Besides, nutrition is also very important for children. Depending on age, parents can cook meals rich in energy, protein, easy to digest and suitable for children's preferences.

Adults often confuse quantity with quality. Many parents force their children to eat as they please, forgetting that each child will have their own absorption and taste.

"Don't look at the 'neighbor's child' to make a menu for your child," the doctor recommended.

Feed your child enough fats, especially Omega 3 unsaturated fats, to provide enough vitamins and minerals. Children also need rest, exercise and regular activities.

"The immune system only works well when the body is healthy, creating enough antibodies to fight disease," emphasized the doctor.

Enhance fresh food, rich in nutrition, clear origin; Avoid buying food that is not hygienic, easy to cause poisoning and digestive disorders in children. Processing foods must be suitable for the needs and development of the body. For example, children who do not have enough molars must eat soft foods. Children with enough molars can eat food close to adults.

In the child's diet, there should be a balance of four food groups. The group of carbohydrates found in milk, beans, potatoes, corn... is a group of nutrients that provide energy mainly for children's activities.

Protein group found in meat, fish, eggs ... helps to regulate water balance, supports the transport of nutrients to the body's organs. Breast milk is a rich source of protein. Vitamins and minerals are important, especially for children. Parents can give children a variety of vegetables and fruits to "store up" this food group.

Many parents easily ignore fat due to concerns about obesity. It is a major component of cell membranes, especially nerve cells. Fat will help brain cells develop, make up some hormones like testosterone, cortisol... Fat also helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E and K. Parents Should consider adding less or just enough fat, avoid giving children too much, which can easily lead to the risk of atherosclerotic disease or degeneration of liver function.

Adequate intake of water and fluids through food for children will help the respiratory system function well as well as the body's detoxification better.

For normal healthy children, it is recommended to choose a diet according to the age recommendations that meet about 95% of the needs. A small number of babies with a specific medical or physical condition may experience a growth disorder. This child needs to be examined by a nutritionist for specific advice, especially for children who are being treated for chronic diseases.

For children under three years old, breast milk is the food that helps babies have the best resistance, so keep breastfeeding. During the weaning period, parents should take their children to a nutritionist so that they can screen and develop a suitable diet.

Children from 3-5 years old, provide enough milk, sugar, salt, cereals, vegetables, fat...; Add 1.3 liters of water per day.

Children from 6-11 years old are the age to go to school, play, and be active a lot. In addition to the menu for children 3-5 years old, it is necessary to increase the amount of food such as cereals, potatoes and products made from green vegetables, tubers, fruits, meat, eggs, seafood, nuts, milk. and dairy products...

"No matter what age group children are, they should divide meals into main meals and snacks during the day," the doctor recommends. Balance four nutritional groups, provide animal protein and dairy protein because of its easy absorption and high biological value. Unsaturated fats such as fatty fish, avocado, olives, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, cashews, peanuts... are also effective assistants for the immune system.

During the period when the child is sick, or eats poorly, can use more high-energy milk or food supplemented with energy and adequate micronutrients to nourish the body.