We are not going to give you immunity building tips. The answer lies here. Iron deficiency. Low hemoglobin has troubled our children for years together, without realizing its impact.
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Well, if you think what we are talking is wrong, talk to any pediatrician or see the stats:
INDIAN STATISTICS: About 70% of Indian children under the age of 5 yrs are estimated to be iron deficient; that is a whopping 89 million children. Among adolescent girls, its around 40%.
BUT I GIVE MY CHILD EVERYTHING TO EAT. THEN WHY IS THE INCIDENCE SO HIGH?
The answer lies in our faulty dietary practices
- Over dependence on milk: Our children are bought up with the concept that “My child has to have milk”. Milk and dairy products have insufficient absorb-able iron. Additionally, parents tend to give in to the fussy eater by saying “He doesn’t eat anything. With milk, at-least something is going inside the tummy”. What parents don’t realize that in that process, they are killing a meal. Children between age group 1 to 5 who drink more than 24 ounces (710 ml) of cow’s milk a day are at risk for iron deficiency. Better not to go overboard with our milk obsession.
- Faulty weaning practices: The common foods which an average child in India has between 6 months to 1 year of age are mother’s milk, cow’s milk, biscuits, some liquids like dal water, rice water and fortified infant food products etc. Complimentary food has to be much more than that. Ideally a child should be eating from your plate everything (including all food groups) apart from spicy foods and animal protein by 12 months of age. So, take out time, plan well and let your child have nutrient dense semi solids and solids prepared freshly at home.
- Babies who drink cow’s milk or goat’s milk before age 1 yr: Iron in cows milk is not well assimilated in the body and cow’s milk may even cause intestinal bleeding leading to further loss of iron from the body. All standard infant nutrition guidelines advocate avoiding intake of animal milk till one year of age.
- Giving Babies formula that isn’t fortified with iron is again a common mistake.Common dairy products like milk powders,etc meant for general use are not advisable for infants .They are not manufactured as per the recommended requirements of the growing infant.
To top it up, worm infestations is quite prevalent in our society (28-50% in toddlers and school-going children).
The hookworms (thin, white worms) which enter the body through bare feet are notorious for causing blood loss through intestines and iron deficiency anemia. Children with worm infestations typically complain of itching around the anal area. Another common misconception is worms are caused by eating sweet things which is completely wrong. Worms spread through unhygienic practices.
Some tips:
A) Include Iron rich foods in the diet:
FOR VEGETARIANS
Dark Green Veggies:
- Spinach (palak): most versatile food used as a soup OR added to flour to make parathas OR added to potatoes to make cutlets or burger patties or stuffings for sandwiches OR pureed to add to pasta sauces (green pasta) OR added to dals OR gravies like palak paneer
- Fenugreek(methi) can be combined with dals or peas/paneer
- Amaranth(cholai/maath) can be used in soups or parathas
- Broccoli: easily available locally, soups or grilled, added to pastas, pizzas or cutlets.
- Mustard leaves(sarson) usually sarson ka saag tastes lovely with small rotis
FOR NON-VEGETARIANS
The body absorbs two to three times more iron from animal sources than from plants. Some of the best dietary sources of iron areheme iron found in red meat and liver. Soups, mince, cutlets, steamed fish all are great options for children. Eggs in any form make a good healthy option at any meal.
Should I have my child screened for iron deficiency?
Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are typically diagnosed through blood tests. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants be tested for iron deficiency anemia starting between ages 9 months and 12 months and, for those who have risk factors for iron deficiency, again at later ages.
So, next time before buying some immunity building medicine, check whether your child is iron deficient.
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