Meal planning for children can be tough work, especially when you have a picky eater on your hands. Ensuring that your child gets the proper nutrients is a task in and of itself, but it does not have to be this way – in fact, it can be easy.
If you are looking to introduce something new into your child’s diet that will boost health and immunity, the ingredient you need to consider is seaweed. That’s right – seaweed. With over 10 000 species, it is diverse in both composition and flavor, meaning you will be able to incorporate it into meals in countless ways.
You may be wondering, why seaweed? What are the specific benefits, and why will it help boost your child’s health?
The answer lies in the different nutrients within seaweed – with so many different vitamins and minerals packed into this green “vegetable of the sea,” it is sure to encourage healthy growth and development.
What types of nutrients are found in seaweed?
With many different types of seaweed, from red to blue-green to brown, nutritional value will vary depending on the species as well as the geographic location of its growth. Popular types of seaweed which are included in many different meals and cuisines include nori, kelp, kombu, wakame, and sea lettuce.
Within many of these types, you will be able to find a wide array of nutrients such as Vitamin A, C, and E, all of which have anti-inflammatory properties. They can also contain Vitamin B1 and B2, Vitamin K, and minerals such as calcium, iron, manganese, and potassium. These are vital to a child’s diet as they encourage strong, healthy bones as well as overall heart health and apt energy levels.
Iodine within seaweed
If you are considering introducing seaweed into your child’s diet, perhaps the most important component you need to be aware of is iodine.
Iodine is not produced naturally within the body, so it is important that we incorporate foods that will allow for it to work its magic – except this “magic” isn’t really magic at all, it’s science. Iodine, when taken in healthy doses, is proven to encourage healthy thyroid function. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones such as triiodothyronine and thyroxine, which aid in cognitive and physical development. With low levels of iodine, a condition called hypothyroidism – when the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormones – can affect the body. However, moderate and responsible consumption of seaweed can either prevent hypothyroidism or if it is already present, possibly aid in improving the condition.
A healthy thyroid will encourage cognitive and physical development in children, which will allow for great concentration, play, and growth.
Where to start?
To incorporate seaweed into your child’s diet, don’t be afraid to start with baby steps. This can mean “hiding” the seaweed in sauces or dips, or even letting them learn by example – take advantage and improve your own health alongside theirs! In no time, your children will start looking forward to seaweed within their meals.
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