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A good health drink is a must for kids these days. With the introduction of online classes, little ones need the best nutrition to stay active and alert. Of course, there are so many activities that kids need to keep up with, too.
If your child is a fussy eater or needs nutrition on the go, choosing the right protein drinks for kids is a great choice. However, with so many options available, it is a challenge to pick the best one to fulfill your child’s requirements. Here are 7 tips to help you make the right decision.
#1. The Base of A Kids Health Drink Is Important
When choosing a kids health drink, always check the base ingredient. There are two common types of health drinks — milk-based and malt-based. If your child is lactose intolerant, then choosing a malt-based drink is highly recommended. On the other hand, for children with gluten intolerance, a milk-based drink is preferred.
This is the first rule to picking the best kids healthy drink so that your child does not have any adverse reactions to the drink.
#2. Check the Nutrition Label
The nutrition label reveals a lot about the health drink for your child. It is a good idea to look for a kids health drink that comes fortified with essential nutrients like calcium and iron. These nutrients support your child’s development. They also make up for the lack of these nutrients in your child’s regular diet.
You must also be aware of certain red flags when it comes to kids health drink. If you notice that the nutrition label contains too many ingredients that are hard to read or recognize, it means that the drink is loaded with preservatives and chemicals. You must also ensure that sugar is not at the top of the nutrition label.
When choosing a kids health drink, always check for vital nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. You will also get a list of the sources that they are obtained from. If they match your food preferences, then the drink is a good option for you.
#3. Kids Healthy Drinks Should Be Low In their Sugar Content
The last thing you want is for your child to consume excess sugar. This can lead to hyperactivity in younger children. In older ones, it is a source of unwanted calories that are the primary cause of childhood obesity.
The most important thing to remember when choosing kids health drink is that they often conceal the sugar content behind fancy names. For instance, liquid glucose or maltose are other names used for sugar. As mentioned before, if these ingredients are at the top of the nutritional label, it is a sign that the primary ingredient in the kids health drink is sugar.
The best options are those which use natural sugar sources. This includes cane sugar or jaggery. Sugar is permissible for children, given their high levels of activity. However, it must come from the right sources to prevent health issues. You must also account for other sources of sugar in your child’s diet to make sure that they are not consuming too much sugar each day.
#4. Make Sure It Is Age-Appropriate
Most often, we overlook this important step in choosing a good kid’s health drink. Too much of anything is not good for you. This includes nutrients. You need to make sure that the nutrients that your child consumes throughout the day are appropriate for their age.
Now, with vitamins and minerals, especially, overconsumption can lead to serious issues like toxicity. This is true for children and adults. Whether it is the macronutrients or micronutrients, the consumption should be according to the recommended daily intake for your child’s age.
If you are unsure of the right quantity, you may consult your paediatrician. When choosing kid’s health drinks, also calculate the consumption of nutrients through other food sources in your child’s diet.
The best way to avoid any issues is to choose a brand that categorises the drinks based on the age group. They take various factors into account before calculating the quantity of each nutrient precisely.
#5. Ensure That It Is Free From Allergens
Allergens like soy, fish, milk or peanuts can be dangerous for your child. If you are aware of any existing allergies, then you must choose a kid’s health drink that is free from the foods that trigger the allergy.
The thumb rule is to avoid drinks with common allergens as much as possible. This is especially important if you are choosing a healthy drink for younger children.
#6. Make Sure That It Adheres To Quality and Safety Standards
It is best to look for a kid’s health drink that is approved by FSSAI or any other authorized body. This ensures that the drink passes the necessary health and safety standards. It also means that the brands follow the best manufacturing processes to give you the best in terms of ingredients and safety standards.
Some drinks are also third-party tested. These are the most reliable brands. Third-party testing is not compulsory. So, when a brand makes sure that they get these certifications, you can rest assured that they are committed to the safety of their consumers.
#7. Consult Your Child’s Paediatrician
If you are still unsure of what the best choice for your child is, take your doctor’s advice. This is recommended whenever you plan to make any addition to your child’s diet. Since your doctor is aware of your child’s medical history, they will be able to suggest the safest and most beneficial kids health drink to suit your little one’s requirements.
Conclusion
While a kids health drink is a great addition to your child’s diet, remember that they are only supplements. These drinks are not a replacement for a healthy and balanced diet. Make sure that your child’s diet is full of fresh produce and natural food sources for best results.
Then, adding a health drink like Gritzo Super Milk to your child’s diet will enhance the nutritional value of your child’s diet.
