NUTRITION ADVOCATE

Nutrition is critical for young ones to set them on the path to good health and a well-developed brain for the future, and this can be achieved with a good diet, regular opportunities to sleep, and a lot of love from the parent/caregiver. Brain development is faster in the early years of life compared to the rest of the body, which may make it more vulnerable to dietary deficiencies. The brain is composed of 60% fatty tissue, a proportion of that being cholesterol. So, foods rich in fats should be provided for children. Essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) play a big role in the brain development of a child. This class of fats found in abundance in oily or fatty fish is one of the building blocks of cellular brain growth. So, such fatty foods should be provided. Take note; hydrogenated fats or ‘trans’ fat should be avoided. They can be found in fried or cheap margarine or long-shelf-life processed foods. Unfortunately, children are deprived of these essential fatty a...