How Health Drinks Can Bridge Gap Between Nutrients Intake & Requirement?

Do you know that no matter how hard we try to feed our child a well-balanced diet, some nutrients may still go missing? This is especially true for nutrients which are difficult to source from a normal diet. For instance, in highly polluted, urban cities, the deficiency of Vitamin D is quite prevalent. The pollution cover does not allow the normal UV rays to reach us and hence restricts the conversion of Vitamin D on our skin surface. Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption, so it has now become important to give a Vitamin D supplement to growing children.

How Can Health Drinks Bridge Gap Between Nutrients & Requirement?

Let’s face it. We are largely a vegetarian population and there are certain nutrients which are either absent or difficult to absorb from a pure vegetarian or vegan diet. Vitamin B12 is one of them as it is synthesized by microorganisms like bacteria and algae in the animal gut. So the only way it can enter our bodies is through animal foods. The vegan diets (that are devoid of milk and butter) is deficient in this vitamin which is essential for normal functioning of the blood circulatory system. [Know: 3 Anytime Power-up Health Drinks Rich in Micro-nutrients]

Iron absorption is lower in vegetarian diets; it is a known fact that the hemoglobin levels of a vegetarian are generally lower than that of a non-vegetarian. Another case in point is the cereal-based diet where there is a low intake of vegetables and fresh fruits – this makes growing children more prone to anemia.

And who can rule out the fussy eaters? If the child is persistently fussy about eating healthy food and on the other hand craves junk food, it is but natural that this child is at risk of developing certain nutritional deficiencies. If your child is having a lower intake of nutrients because of one or the other reason, then it is time to consider giving a health milk food to your child.

If the general food intake of the child is really poor (in case of fussy or small eaters), health food drinks such as Horlicks help to bridge the gap between the usual intake and the essential requirements of the child, to an extent.

Here is an overview of the RDA* for a growing child (8 – 10 years) :

*RDA: Recommended Dietary Allowance - The RDA, the estimated amount of a nutrient (or calories) per day considered necessary for the maintenance of good health 

So, what should you look for in health food drinks? Well, you should look for Vitamins like A, C, D, E, B-complex including folic acid, niacin minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous; and fats (between 6 - 7.5 percent - DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) is an essential fatty acid required for brain development). And yes, look out for all the micronutrients as mentioned above. Check out the benefits of micronutrients here. 

NOTE: Do consult a pediatrician before putting your child on a health food drink.

Did you find the information given by our expert nutritionist useful? Do you feel your child is not getting the best nutrition? Would you consider including a health food drink in your child’s daily diet? Do share (in the comments section below) – and support fellow parents to provide the best nutrition to their growing children.