Meals help children increase resistance

Children under 5 years of age whose immune system is not yet complete, need to supplement with protein and vitamin foods during epidemic times

According to Le Danh Tuyen, Director of the National Nutrition Institute, to increase resistance against nCoV infection, nutrition principles should be followed for each subject, age, and chronic disease.

There is no specific food that can prevent disease. Proper nutrition, eating a variety of foods to keep your body healthy, boosting immunity, is the most important.

For children under 5, the preventive diet is also separate. Children in the early years of the immune system are not yet complete, so there is a risk of great health effects if infected, especially children of low weight, malnutrition or background disease, chronic disease.

At the Covid-19 Preventive Nutrition Guide of the Vietnam Nutrition Diet, children need to be assured of adequate energy, energy, vitamins and minerals according to the needs of each age group. A nutritionist advises whether a child is malnourished or has a background.

Specifically, children need to eat a variety of foods, ensuring to provide 4 groups (carbohydrate group, protein group, fat group, vitamins and minerals group). Choose fresh, cooked, boiled and cooked foods without any contamination, contamination, and food hygiene and safety.

Note washing your hands often, when processing and providing food, wash your hands before eating.

Children from 3 to 5 years of age eat with their family three meals and 1-2 snacks. The recommended amount of food for a child's day is as follows:

- Cereals, tubers and processed products: average 5-6 units of cereals, potatoes and processed products in a day. One unit is equivalent to 1/2 cup of plain rice or a slice of bread or a potato ... Each meal should have a combination of cereals and potatoes.

- Leafy vegetables, fruits and vegetables: eat two units per day, one unit is equivalent to 80 g. Feed children a variety of fruits and vegetables to provide a variety of vitamins and minerals.

- Ripe fruits / fruits: eat two units of ripe fruit a day, one unit is equivalent to 80 g. Children should eat a variety of fruits and ripe fruits.

- High-protein meat, seafood, eggs and nuts: eat 3.5 units of protein, meat, seafood, eggs and nuts a day. One unit equals 31 g of pork, 42 ​​g of chicken, an egg, 35 g of fish, 30 g of shrimp. Feed children need a variety of protein-rich foods, need to balance between animal protein and vegetable protein.

- Milk and dairy products: can use 4 units of milk and dairy products a day, equivalent to a box of yogurt, a piece of cheese and 200 ml of liquid milk. Three types of dairy products should be combined to optimize the nutritional composition of milk and dairy products.

- Greasy: under 5 units eat oil / fat a day (less than 25 ml of oil / fat a day).
- Sugar: under 3 units a day (under 15 g of sugar).
- Salt: less than 3 g a day.
- Water: 6 cups of water and liquid (each cup of water is equivalent to 200 ml of water). Children should not drink soft drinks ...

Water helps the mucous system in the respiratory tract work properly, protects cells in the mucosa from damage, reduces the ability of the pathogens to bind to cells, helps limit bacteria and viruses. enters the respiratory system. Water helps the hairs of the airways become soft, able to eliminate pathogens from the body, so it is very important to prevent viral infections.

- Enhancing movement: at home parents should encourage children to practice housework such as arranging toys after playing, sweeping the house and folding clothes for children. Need to limit the time sitting, watching TV and playing games.

Babies under 6 months old need exclusive breastfeeding. Feed your baby on demand, do not feed or drink anything other than breast milk. In breast milk, antibodies help children prevent disease, and help form and maintain a healthy immune system, especially the immune system in the digestive tract. Breastfed babies are also less likely to develop metabolic disorders in adulthood.

Sick children must be examined early and cured, following the doctor's instructions. Full immunization schedule to prevent disease.