Nutritional Therapy For Children

The dictionary defines malnutrition as: … a dietary condition resulting from the absence of some foods or essential elements necessary for health; insufficient nutrition.

Unfortunately many children today suffer from insufficient nutrition/malnutrition, they may not be underweight, but they do not eat the essential building blocks to provide nourishment to their minds and bodies. In fact much of the food targeted at children (and indeed teenagers) is almost devoid of any nutritional value and high in sugar, refined salt, bad fats along with synthetic additives which can trigger extremes of behaviour.

Disorders like Autism have increased dramatically in the last 20 years or so. Around 1980 the incidence of Autism was, on average, one in 10,000. Today it is around one in 50. This staggering increase cannot be accounted for solely by better diagnosis or even genetics.

Other conditions like ADD, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia are on the rise in a dramatic way as well. Often these are accompanied by allergies, asthma and/or eczema. One thing all these children have in common is a compromised digestive system: colic, bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhoea, malnourishment and poor eating habits.

Even if your child is fortunate enough not to suffer from any of these conditions, ensuring adequate intake of quality food helps in all areas of growth and development, both physical and mental. The earlier any of us start eating and enjoying health & tasty food the better we will be for it in the long run.

While not always easy, it is possible to change eating habits of children of all ages over a period of time to allow their immune system to re-assert itself. A healthy immune system in people of all ages assists the body in healing itself and provides the necessary nutrients to promote a healthy mind.

Nutrition: the process of providing or receiving nourishing substances; food; nourishment.

To nourish: sustain with food; enrich; promote the development of.