Children's Diets

Children in America have become more obese, but there are ways to prevent that from happening to your child or to reverse it. You need to change your child's diet. This might seem difficult at first. Children want fast-food cheeseburgers and burritos. They may resist eating healthier foods initially, but in time they will grow to love it. But a diet is not just about weight loss or control. The proper diet can also do wonders for the health of your child, especially if he has certain illnesses such as diabetes or celiac disease. It is important to incorporate a diet into your child's life that will help maintain his health.

ADHD Diet

If you have a child who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you can put him on a diet that might be beneficial. A child with ADHD should eat more Omega-3 fatty acids and complex carbohydrates. The carbohydrates can be found in vegetables and citrus fruits, and if eaten at bedtime, they might help your child sleep better. The Omega-3 fatty acids are found in white fish, olive oil and nuts and may help improve behavior problems associated with ADHD. Your child should also consume more protein, which is found in cheese, beans, meats and eggs. Protein should be a focus, as it will help your child concentrate.

Vegetarian

Children need more of certain types of foods than adults. After all, they're still growing and have high calorie needs. But if you want your child to grow up a vegetarian, she can still get what is necessary from food. Kids need calcium for strong bones and teeth, and the easiest way for your vegetarian child to get that is through soy milk. The protein for strong muscles can come from legumes, nuts, beans and tofu. Breads and grains will provide your child with energy to get through the day. Of course, the vitamins come from vegetables and fruits. Your child may want to snack frequently throughout the day, so vegetables and fruits are the most adequate choices.

Gluten-Free Diet

A gluten-free diet is necessary for children suffering from celiac disease and can also benefit children with autism. A gluten-free diet eliminates many of the processed foods you can buy at the grocery store. You have to buy certain types of bread, cereal and pasta because gluten is found in rye, wheat and barley. It can be difficult to maintain and expensive, but it will be better for your child. Most gluten-free products describe it as such on the packaging. You can use corn-based products, such as corn tortillas and corn flour. Your child can consume most dairy, except malted milk products and fruits and vegetables. Avoid dried fruits and creamed vegetables. Most meats are allowed, but it is best to avoid sausages, cold cuts and canned meats.

Diabetic Diet

Diet is essential when it comes to maintaining your child's diabetes, and the number one thing to monitor is carbohydrates. Carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels. Insulin is used to counteract the carbohydrates, so it all starts there. Your child can eat whatever he wishes as long as it is in moderation. You cannot give him a full-sized candy bar; instead, buy the bite-sized candies. Instead of a big bag of chips, focus on the smaller personal bags. Proteins also help maintain blood sugar levels and do not have as much of a raising effect on them. So, jerky and other protein snacks are excellent, but be aware beans have a stronger effect on blood sugar levels. Fruits raise the blood sugar levels due to the natural sugars found in them, but your child can have the expected amount of fruit every day. Vegetables that are not starchy, such carrots and potatoes, can be eaten at any time and in any amount. Dairy also raises the blood sugar and should be consumed in moderation. Both skim milk and fruit juices are excellent in raising the blood sugar when the levels get too low.

Maintaining Diet

If you have children who are not ill or are not overweight, it is still important to control their diet. Children need a proper balance of fruits, vegetables, fats, proteins, carbohydrates and dairy. Children must eat breakfast. Do not give your child excessively sugary cereals. A number of cereals can be found at the grocery store that are healthy but still give your child that sweet taste. One of the most important things you can do is cut back on your child's fat intake. Cook chicken without skin. You can also change the way you cook meats to cut back on fat. You can try broiling or poaching instead of frying. Switch to low-fat or fat-free dairy and grain products. Show your child that a healthy diet does not have to be boring. Keep a variety of fruits and vegetables for her to snack on. One week you can give her apples, grapes, carrots and broccoli. The next week you can give her bananas, mango, sugar snap peas and cauliflower. If you do have an overweight child, consult a pediatrician before restricting his diet.