Health drinks are usually in powdered form and are meant to be mixed with milk or water. They are manufactured for children of various age groups barring those that are specifically made for adults. Made from a mixture of powdered milk, powdered grains, malt, sugar, flavor, and some essential vitamins and minerals, they aim to add to a child’s diet.
But from the umpteen choices available, parents often have questions like, ‘Which one should you choose?’, ‘Are they really required?’ and, ‘Is there any truth behind the claims made by the health drinks companies about the efficacy of these drinks?’
Are they really required?
Health drinks may be necessary if your child is a picky eater or you believe he or she is not getting enough nutrients. As per driving pediatrician Dr. Zinal Unadkat, ‘Wellbeing drinks are not required regularly. It is only necessary for children who participate in a lot of physical activities, play sports, or need more energy.
Nutritionist Neha Chandna makes sense in saying, ‘Wellbeing drinks are only made from food materials like milk, grains and so on. and packed with vitamins and minerals, but they also have preservatives in them. Although I would not consider them essential to a child’s diet, you can opt for them if your child is picky.
Do they add anything extra to the child’s growth?
- They definitely have additional proteins and nutrients like calcium, and phosphorus which are good for the child’s bone and strength development
- All brands have substantial amounts of these nutrients to have a significant effect on the child’s growth.
- Health drinks are supplements and should be used in a few circumstances.
- If Child has really not been eating well, has not been gaining weight as per his/her age, has not been well for a long period, or plays high endurance activities like performance-oriented sports, only then are these additives required.
How often can kids have them?
The recurrence relies upon the wholesome prerequisite of the youngster. While most guardians adhere to the standard equation of two times each day, there are people who use it as a method for keeping the youngster in the middle between dinners. Keep in mind that too much of a good thing can be harmful.
At what age can a parent start giving their child these drinks?
A child over the age of six can consume healthy drinks, according to a pediatrician named Zinal Unadkat. Neha Chandna says, “We typically start consuming health drinks from as early as six months of age.” This explains the nutritional aspect of this. We begin with baby food substitutes and progress to other healthy drinks as we get older. However, a sincere recommendation would be to encourage your child to eat healthily so that you do not need to rely on supplements for his or her growth.
What are the side effects or complications of having these healthy drinks?
While they truly do vow to accomplish something beneficial for your youngster, whenever had in abundance, well-being beverages can hurt the body. Health drinks can end up putting too much pressure on the body’s internal organs because they are packed with proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
“Side effects are a few, like addiction and dependence on the health supplement in the long run,” says Dr. Zinal Unadkat. Additionally, it may result in a desire for more, dental decay, and cavities. More importantly, they may eventually result in diabetes.