A healthy, smart and happy child is the most precious treasure. It’s the responsibility of parents to raise them, including protecting them in the growth period from various diseases. There are types of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that are noncontagious because they are not caused by infection. Diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure are what you need to watch out for starting at their early ages. NCDs can attack children at an early age due to the improper diet. There should be a balanced diet, an intake of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals in the right amounts.

Breakfast is Important
One of the most important balanced diet for your kids is breakfast. There should be no more excuses of not having breakfast before going to school. Breakfast is important for the energy intake early in the day. The tendency of children to become obese could be because they skip breakfast. Children who do not have their breakfast will usually eat a lot more during noontime until evening. This is what causes fat buildup in the body. Therefore, let’s make it a habit to eat breakfast every day.

Healthy Snacks
Naturally, children are tempted by snacks that are available at school. Provide them with an understanding of healthy food and hygiene. Preferably, prepare healthy snacks for them to bring to school. Choose easily prepared items such as cut fruit.

Dinner
Dinner should be eaten no later than 7:00 p.m.  The body needs two to three hours to digest food into the small intestine. If you eat too late and go to sleep immediately, there will be a risk of reflux or heartburn. This is another important method in balanced diet for your kids that you should be aware of.

No Junk Food
Avoid eating fast food whenever possible. These foods, as well as processed food, do not have high nutritional value so they can trigger NCD diseases in children. The taste of salty and sweet and fat content of junk food can cause an addiction to the children which makes them cannot stop asking for it.

Nutritional needs in the diet of children aged 2 – 13 years are: