Does nutrition affect a child’s emotional development?
We all know the importance of optimal nutrition during pregnancy and the early developing years of a child. It is known that a nutritional diet is required for the right physical growth. It can help a child be more productive, build a healthy appetite and grow. But do you know that during these early years, while their physical body developments happen, a tremendous amount of social-emotional development also takes place? Is there any relationship between nutrition and the socio-emotional development of a child? Does nutrition affect a child’s emotional development too? If you are wondering about the role of nutrition in your child’s emotional development in India, keep reading.
I would like to share a personal experience here. It was till last year when like any other mom, I use to ensure that my child eats healthy meals. He learned while we home-schooled and participated in physical activities while we went out to play. Everything was going well, till he started his formal school late last year. Well, we were prepared for some expected insecurities and changes with the new routine. But what I wasn’t prepared for was sudden variations leading to a lot of mood swings, quick crying and temper tantrums. A good reason why we call it “terrible two’s” isn’t it?
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Socio-emotional changes and development
Like a concerned mom, I even discussed and shared notes on the subject with some fellow moms to realise all kids were experiencing similar emotional behavioural changes. Since this wasn’t helping I approached Tuggu’s paediatrician and had a detailed discussion. She explained that as their social world is expanding, they are learning more about their own emotions: expressing, controlling themselves as well as understanding other people. Hence such behaviour is common, but she asked me to ensure he is eating home-cooked meals at proper intervals. She even asked me to take note of any visible changes in his activity levels and dietary habits.
Honestly, this changed my perspective and I started keeping a track of his activity levels with the help of his teachers only to observe his changed dietary patterns. This was due to changed routine leading to late lunch, delayed or no naps. All this was somewhere a reason for his exhaustion and higher anxiety levels. I soon realized that there is a big role of nutrition in your child’s emotional development.
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Nutrition, immunisation & emotional development
The doctor also explained that lack of age-appropriate nutrition may impact a child’s emotional, behavioural and intellectual development in many ways. Such kids may struggle to maintain attention, learning new skills or even retaining – everything a well-nourished child’s brain may do efficiently. Due to the lack of some vitamins and minerals, kids could feel emotionally unstable or may deal with higher levels of anxiety and depression. EVERYTHING, right from how active to how lethargic children feel comes down to a matter of correct nutrition. Rather than asking for a ‘clean plate’ or forcing the child to finish the food they don’t like, it’s important we parents feed them healthy nutrient-rich meals for overall growth.
Also Read– Tips to Feed Right and increase your Child’s appetite
What we parents can do- Our Role in Child’s Emotional development
In order to achieve proper growth, Parents should also encourage the kids to have healthy eating practices in early childhood.
- A positive approach could be by being a role model and influencing your child with good eating habits for yourself. Kids would learn better and follow what they see than what they are forced to.
- Avoid gadgets at mealtimes. Make mealtimes a family affair, if you are a working parent, ensure that you eat at least one meal as a family and spend quality time chitchatting and enjoying the meal.
- School-going kids should not miss their breakfast as it may keep them starving for long impacting their mood, physical growth and learning capabilities.
- Take cues of the child to know when he is hungry or full. Instead of force-feeding food, they don’t like, replace it with other healthy choices. The key is to provide a variety of seasonal foods in a scheduled meal or snack pattern. This shall take care of their age-appropriate recommended dietary allowance (RDA) or nutrients intake.
- Intake of any junk food and aerated beverages should be discouraged. Kids should be given a diet, rich in nutrients and antioxidants. When 100% of RDA’s of all essential micronutrients can’t be met through their diet due to personal food preferences or fussiness, a nutritional supplement could be given to ensure optimal development. PediaSure has 37 vital nutrients and ensures your child gets complete and balanced nutrition.
- Apart from the right nutrition, some form of moderate physical activity is equally important to ensure they are growing right.
These are some tips I learnt from my doctor and through my own observations. Surprising, isn’t it, how nutrition and emotional health are connected? Let me know your thoughts on this.
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© Gunjan Gupta Upadhyay. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author is strictly prohibited. Any Excerpts or links to be used, provided full and clear credit is provided with proper links to Gunjan Gupta Upadhyay or tuggunmommy.com. This is to be done with the right and specific direction to the original content.
DISCLAIMER –
The content is not at all intended as a substitute for any professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is suggested that you always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
****This is a sponsored blog post and a part of a public awareness campaign by Pediasure India. The post is meant to share experience the role of nutrition in your child’s emotional development. The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not reflect the views of any brand. Any omissions or errors at the author’s end does not assume any liability or responsibility on any party mentioned in the blog.
Informative post , I have read that certain food like citrus fruits having high level of Vitamin C helps to control and cure depression.
So definitely food plays an important role in emotional well weing.
Indeed nutrition plays important role in emotional well being of kids
Indeed nutrition plays important role in emotional well being of kids. #dewreads
#MyFriendAlexa
Such a useful post for all the parents. Nutrition plays a big role in the development span of kids. If they don’t feel healthy and happy, they will show little interest in getting social with others. You have jotted down all relevant points which are absolutely necessary to make sure.
Nutrition certainly plays an important role in overall development of kids and having gadget free time is a good practice.
We too have a very strict rule to not have any gadget during taking meal. Completely agree nutrition plays an important role in building immunity of kids. noted all the pointers.
I strongly feel that nutrition plays a huge role in overall development of a child and emotional development is a crucial one too manage.
Children need the right kind of food. Infact nutrition and a balanced diet add to the stable growth of the child. A great post with valuable tips and a large chunk of important information for all.
I totally agree with your thoughts on this. Nutrition plays a crucial role in a child’s overall development.
These are some great tips. We ensure no gadgets at the dinner table so that there is good food and good mood
You are absolutely correct. The lack of certain vitamins and minerals does cause erratic emotional behavior in children. Appropriate nutritional content is absolutely essential for the child’s proper emotional development.
Nutrition plays a vital role in child’s mental, emotional and physical development
Thanks for this article the nutrition is directly proportional to the development of the child weight physical emotional and social.
Agree Proper nutrition via balanced nutrient–rich diet is much needed in growing years for maintaining immunity. As kids are picky eater this usually become difficult. This post gives proper approach in incorporating the same.
Yes, nutrition plays an important role in child’s mental and physical development and also it affects child’s emotions too .
Nutrition is so important for kid’s brain development. I know this for a fact because my son was a picky eater and it drove me crazy! Now with being persistent on this issue, he is a better eater and I can see his development now.
very detailed and helpful post. you said it right that by setting right example we can have our kids eat healthy, thats half the battle won.
Such insightful post Gunjan, a must read for all moms and yes I too believe that kids’ mental health has a strong connect with Nutrition.
Very correctly penned down. However, for me sometimes the prohibition of junk food becomes a great challenge. Hence, I do cook sometimes these junks at my home, thinking that these are not going to be ‘that much’ harmful. 🙂
Nicely written and detailed post while I am aware of Nutrition but did not quite relate until now its correlation with the emotional well being of a developing child thanks for sharing
Toddlers are moody and their food preferences keep changing often. Pediasure is a great help for their nutrition needs since it has many vital nutrients and comes in so many flavours too.
Ensuring the right nutrition for kids in their early years is very important for their overall development. You’ve shared some really good tips!
We have recently started with the no gadgets at meal time rule for my nephew too and trust me he seems much more active and less fussy in his food habits now.
Nutrition is must during early years as it has great impact in long run. Proper meal and on time meals definitely help in overall development of a kid. Very informative and useful post, thanks for sharing,
Great post Gunjan. and yes nutrition and exercise are two most important aspect of healthy lifestyle that create a strong foundation for healthy future. your tips are so apt and I agree that we should make meal time is a family affair and should try to adopt all healthy lifestyle practices as a family.
This is really informative for all parents, yes nutrients really effects a lot in the development of kids growth both mentally and physically. Thanks for sharing this
As a parent I always avoid the screen time for my kid and focus on family time… But at times kids become difficult to a informative post for we all moms as I keep read such post which really becomes helping hand..
Avoiding gadgets at mealtime and making it more family time definitely seems to be the key to healthy emotional eating. And Pediasure is always there for the Nutrients
This is such a brilliant post, Gunjan. Nutrition plays an important role in the child’s overall growth including social and emotional development as well. And in that parents have a great responsibility too.
Eating right is very important for a child’s overall physical and emotional health. Some fantastic points you have highlighted here. Consider this as a personal invite for sharing your fantastic parenting blogs on my Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HappyParentingIndia/. Build your audience and engage with parents, teachers and doctors through meaningful conversations.
We have always seen food as a nutritional factor for our kids growth but never know that it could also impact them emotionally. Thankfully my kids enjoy all vegetables and food and I also make sure we have fruits on a daily basis along with a glass of flavored milk… my kids love rose flavored milk….
Wow! I didn’t know about age-appropriate nutrition! This is something every parent should read! I will share this with my aunt!
Since children are still learning how to interact with the world, nutrition plays a huge role in their emotional development. With the intake of adequate nutrients, hormones are produced in proper amounts, which make them feel what they feel. With hormone imbalance, they won’t be able to properly grow their EQ.
This post is like an eye opener in so many ways. As a parent I’m always looking for more information about what I should do to add the right nutrition in my kid’s meals. Thanks again.
Gunjan, these are some fab points on why the right nutrition is to be provided for kids. Seeing your insta post on the topic, I checked out this post & I am so glad that I did! I never knew earlier how eating right would impact the social emotional development in kids. Thanks for writing this Gunjan!
Yes, i believe its true. Nutrition is very important for a child’s growing years. Pediasure is being used by many parents i know.
good nutrition is so important for the physical and mental development of a child. i try to give wholesome meals and supplements to my child
It is an important topic for every parent. We as parents should be well aware of the kind of food our kids require for their proper development.
Emotional development or EQ is important in complete growth of personality of kids. Your blog is well researched and informative.
This is super important isnt it and what I think is so valuable is the nature of pointers and far reaching impacts you have compiled and researched. And an important read for anyone whose about to begin a family
Keeping kids healthy is really important. It is so important to supplement our children’s diets with the healthiest foods. Thanks for sharing some amazing tips with us.
I completely agree. Nutrition has a major share in child’s development. If they are not getting proper meals, nutritious options then they are going show signs of mood swings, lethargy. And they are too young to express that. As parents, we should keep a close watch on their food habits, behavioral changes.