Healthy Living: Foods that can help children grow taller

I come from a family of giants, tall and big. My daughter who will be fourteen years in a month’s time is equally a giant at her age. So when I took her back to school on Tuesday one of her classmates who is a very short and tiny girl, shocked me when she asked me about the types of foods she can eat so that she can be as tall as her friend, my daughter. I was tongue tied; but before I could give her an answer I had to explain some biology about genes and all that; after the explanation I promised the girl that I would do some research on the internet to find out what types of foods can help her grow taller. Apart from the genes that determine how tall or short we become, children should eat nutritious food during their growing years to prevent stunted growth. Adults can also add a few inches to their height even after their growth years are over by eating the right kinds of food and following the right lifestyle along with certain exercises. According to the sources on the internet; Food rich in Proteins, vitamin and minerals can make a person grow taller. Proteins comprise amino acids which contain enzymes, hormones and antibodies that stimulate growth and helps in effective working of the human body. Whole eggs, fish, milk and legumes are protein rich. Some foods reduce the activity of the human growth hormones that make you grow tall. So those foods must be excluded from your diet. Those foods include carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrate rich foods like cereals, bread and rice hinder growth. Europeans consume more of proteins in their diet compared to carbohydrates and hence they are taller than Asians who eat more carbohydrate rich food. Meat is rich in lipids and saturated fats that impede or slow down our growth. So it’s best to eat meat in moderation. If a person cannot avoid meat, it is better to choose lean red meats, Fish, liver or sea food like Pink salmon with long bones, these are low in fat content and help you to grow tall, as they are rich in fatty acids. Walnut also helps one to grow tall as these too have fatty acids. Pastries should be avoided and other things like sweets, sodas and crispy food which are high in fat content. Children who engage in alcohol and smoking at an early age are also known to retard in growing. Loss of calcium in the body can also retard a person’s growth. Calcium is a prerequisite for the growth of healthy bones and also helps us to grow tall. Hence foods rich in calcium like milk and other dairy products like yogurt and cheese should necessarily form a part of your diet. Leafy vegetables like spinach and kales are another source of calcium they should be consumed daily if possible ,for they are also good for the eye sight and are booster of blood in a our body and also help children to grow tall. Citrus fruits like oranges, sweet lime and lemon are rich in Vitamin C. They promote absorption of calcium and hence result in strong bones and help a body to grow tall and prevent diseases such as scurvy, joint pain and anaemia. If you have growing children; do include these foods in their diet so that you can help them grow taller and healthier! kayitesius@yahoo.com

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Healthy Living: Foods that can help children grow taller