Stating that children should definitely start the day with breakfast, Denizli Private Surgery Hospital Dietitian Elif Topuz Ülkü said; “Sugary snacks can cause sleep problems while children need to focus.”
Private Surgery Hospital Dietitian Elif Topuz Ülkü made important warnings about the daily eating habits of school-age children and balanced nutrition. Pointing out the importance of breakfast in a balanced diet, Ülkü suggested that eggs and cheese, which are quality protein sources, whole grain breads and seasonal vegetables should be included in breakfast. Ülkü also warned parents about sugary snacks and emphasized the importance of the school providing lunch for students who cannot go home in terms of regular nutrition.
Noting that there are nutritional problems in every group in our country, Dietitian Elif Topuz Ülkü said, “Currently, there are nutritional problems in every group in Turkey. But this is very important especially for children, especially in the developmental period. Of course, if we are going to talk about school-age children, we need to talk about school order. In the morning, of course, we want children to start with breakfast, as in every age group. Of course, some of our children leave early in the morning, some go at noon, and some go to school full day. But even if they get up early, if they do not have an appetite in the morning, we want them to have breakfast by starting very, very little and gradually increasing it, especially with the consumption of quality protein groups such as eggs and cheese. For those parents who say that their children don't eat breakfast, maybe they can take a sandwich or a breakfast plate to school. But the first meal should definitely be breakfast. As breakfast content, whole grain breads, eggs, cheese, seasonal greens should be in the content, along with olives.”
“Products such as cake and fruit juice in snacks prevent children from focusing”
Pointing out that there are usually a few long breaks in schools and children pass this break with snacks, Dietitian Ülkü said, “After going to school, they usually have a few long breaks. They can also have their snacks in between. Of course, as a society, the content of snacks is usually in the form of cake and fruit juice. We don't actually want it very much. Products with too much sugar content “. Therefore, more like buttermilk, yogurt, kefir, milk, as well as quality seasonal fruits such as dried fruits, fresh fruits. Mothers and fathers can give these to their children as snacks. Institutions usually provide lunch at schools. We want this school lunch to be eaten. Continuity is important for us. The child can take it from home by himself/herself, but it will become increasingly difficult to give something to too many children and the child will not want to take it. Therefore, no matter how average the food given at school is, it should definitely come. If you say that my child has a special disease or condition, maybe if he/she has a special condition, maybe a meat, salad or boiled, vegetable, yogurt, a food that will not flow and smell too much can be used. We are already entering winter. I don't think there will be too much trouble in meals due to too much heat.”
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