Kids Nutrition Drinks: What Parents Should Look for Before Buying
Early nutrition plays an important role in shaping a child’s health and wellbeing throughout life, because it’s the stage at which the body and brain are developing rapidly. It not only support growth, development and cognition, but may also reduce the risk of future health issues.[1] Here are a few components to specifically look for before buying nutritious drink for kids: quality of protein, presence of essential vitamins & minerals which will help support growth, brain development and it’s functioning, and immune functions.
Since children need a balanced intake of macronutrients and micronutrients, some children may not meet all nutrient needs through meals alone, especially if their appetite or food variety is limited. This may happen because children often eat in small portion, have a fluctuating appetite, and may refuse certain food groups at different stages. Hence including nutritious drink for kids like Complan (for 7-14 yr old) can help meet their nutritional needs when included as a part of a balanced diet. With so many drinks claiming to be the best nutritional drink for kids, it’s important to choose wisely by looking at scientific evidence rather than marketing claims.
Kids nutrition drinks are scientifically designed to provide essential macronutrients and micronutrients that will help support the growth and development of children. All the macronutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats plays an important role in growth, energy metabolism etc. However, just as macronutrients, micronutrients also are of equal importance.
Role of protein in height and weight growth:
Protein is one of the essential nutrient that supports height, growth and development by providing amino acids needed to build and repair body tissues.[2] Hence, it is essential to include a kids nutrition drink which has high quality milk protein to support kids’ growth and development. Milk proteins are considered high quality as they contain all the essential amino acids, which help support steady growth during early childhood.
Cognitive Development:
Brain development continues throughout childhood and inclusion of micronutrients is important for the brain in order to grow and mature properly. The brain develops rapidly during early years of childhood, and proper nutrition is essential for healthy neural connections, learnings, and memory formation. Micronutrients which include minerals and vitamins, are important cofactors in biochemical processes that are essential to brain development. Lack of key nutrients such as iron, iodine, B12, and folate can affect brain development and may impact learning, behaviour, and memory problems. It may also strongly affect brain maturation, attention, language, and problem-solving abilities. Hence, choosing a kids nutrition drink with essential micronutrients required for brain development is important.
Immunity Development:
Children are frequently exposed to infections, especially during playtime, immunity-supporting nutrition becomes even more important. Adequate levels of micronutrients are essential for an effective function of each component of the immune system. Micronutrients such as vitamins (A, B6, B12, folate, C, D, and E) and trace minerals (zinc, selenium, copper, and magnesium) are essential and play an important role in supporting immune function. In the state of severe deficiencies, they can impact the immune system, potentially making children more susceptible to infections.[3]
Strong and Healthy Bones:
Children’s bones grow quickly, so they need the right nutrients to stay strong and healthy. Calcium and vitamin D play important roles in formation of bones. Calcium helps strengthen and develop bones, whereas vitamin D allows the body to absorb and use calcium effectively. According to some studies, children who consume adequate vitamin D have higher bone density and general growth than those who do not.[4]
Making the Right Choice for Picky Eaters
It is important to check labels for the above-mentioned components before choosing the best nutritional drink for kids. Checking the label for protein quality, essential vitamins and minerals, and a balanced nutrient composition can help parents make informed decisions and select the most suitable option for their child. Adding a nutritious drink for kids along with a balanced meal helps them get nutrition which otherwise becomes difficult as children often are picky eaters. Picky eating can affect dietary variety and may impact nutrient intake, which can influence health and developmental outcomes.[5]
Along with choosing nutritious drink for kids, it is equally important to remember that overall nutrition should always remain balanced and age-appropriate. It is important to check if the drink is designed specifically for the child’s age group, as nutrition requirements are different for different age groups. When selecting the best nutritional drink for kids, parents should look beyond general marketing claims and focus on the nutrient profile. Complan (for 7-14 yr old), a milk-based beverage for children, offers 34 vital nutrients and 63% more high-quality, easily absorbed protein. It helps in growth and development by ensuring they get adequate nutrients, when taken as part of a balanced diet, to support body and brain function.
In conclusion, early childhood nutrition is essential for a child’s health, and ensuring adequate intake of key nutrients is essential for supporting growth, development, immunity, and overall wellbeing. Early childhood is also a time when children develop their taste preferences, eating patterns, and relationship with food, which can strongly influence their future dietary habits. Moreover, eating habits also contributes towards lifelong nutritional habits and overall health. Hence including a kids’ nutrition drink along with balanced meals can be a useful addition to the diet when chosen wisely
