During the Tet holiday, children's daily routines are often disrupted, leading to dietary changes that typically include more protein, fatty foods, and sweets, and fewer green vegetables. This nutritional imbalance can cause micronutrient deficiencies, fatigue, and a poor appetite in children, according to Master of Science, Doctor Hoang Thi Hang, from the Nutrition Department at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi. To counter these effects, here are six important considerations for parents to help balance their children's nutrition during this festive period.

Eating on time

Eating meals at regular times is crucial for children's health. This practice helps stabilize their biological rhythm, supporting efficient digestion and nutrient metabolism. It also helps prevent a poor appetite or low blood sugar that can result from skipped meals. Parents should ensure children have three main meals daily, complemented by two appropriate snacks, with each meal providing a balanced intake of the four essential nutrient groups: fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Increasing the intake of green vegetables and fruits also helps diversify children's diets. *Trang Le*

Increase green vegetables and fruits

Increasing the intake of green vegetables and fruits is highly beneficial. Fresh green vegetables and fruits are vital sources of fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients improve bowel movements, prevent constipation, and reduce the feeling of being overly full from diets rich in fats and proteins. Parents should prioritize vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and carrots, along with seasonal fresh fruits, ensuring they are distributed evenly across daily meals to diversify children's diets.

Control sweets and soft drinks

Controlling children's intake of sweets and soft drinks is essential. Children often snack excessively on sweets, which can reduce their intake of nutritious daily meals. This habit is also a common cause of rapid weight gain in children during the Tet holiday. Dr. Hang advises parents to control their children's consumption of foods that provide "empty calories," as these offer little nutritional value and are detrimental to health.

Prepare healthy snacks

Preparing healthy snacks in advance can significantly benefit children's nutrition. Offering children healthy alternatives like fresh fruits, milk, yogurt, age-appropriate nuts, or low-sugar baked goods helps limit their consumption of sweets and processed foods. This habit contributes to stable blood sugar levels, supports digestion, ensures a balance of essential nutrients, and maintains overall health and physical fitness.

Ensure adequate hydration for children

Ensuring adequate hydration is crucial for children, especially during festive periods. Water is essential for maintaining electrolyte balance and supporting the processes of digestion and nutrient metabolism. Adequate hydration prevents constipation, reduces the risk of bloating and fatigue, and aids in eliminating waste products, particularly when the diet is rich in fats and proteins. Parents should encourage children to drink plain water and age-appropriate fresh fruit juices, while limiting carbonated soft drinks.

Increase physical activity

Increasing physical activity is vital for children's well-being during holidays. Age-appropriate physical activities stimulate digestion, improve appetite, limit excess fat accumulation, and prevent constipation often associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Parents should encourage children to walk, cycle, play soccer, engage in outdoor activities, and exercise with the family to maintain good physical fitness.

Hang Tran