Let's Know Children's Appetite Enhancing Vitamins
Many parents feel worried and even frustrated when they see their child has difficulty eating. But actually, children having difficulty eating is one of the important conditions in the process of child growth and development because it can create independence in children in choosing their own food they want to consume.
Read: These are 5 Vegetables Containing Vitamin C Good for Children!
Reasons for Children Difficult to Eat
Generally, children are difficult to eat starting from the age of 1 year. At this time, the child's growth process slows down from the previous period. This is sometimes followed by a decrease in appetite. During this period, problems often arise, related to the behavior of children who have difficulty eating, namely:
Consume only one food
A child's interest in one type of food that he/she already knows can cause a child to have difficulty eating. Difficult eating conditions in children are also often associated with neurological problems, meaning that children who have difficulty eating are indeed caused by their brains that are still growing and don't know many things.
Refuse food
For children, eating is a skill that has just been mastered by him. Choosing what he wants to put in his mouth is important for children. Therefore, it is not surprising that on the first day of the food given by you, your little one eats it, but the next day refuses to eat it. When his mood and thoughts change, so does his appetite.
Unpleasant dining atmosphere
Eating is a period of exploration for children, to increase appetite, children need a pleasant atmosphere so that children can assume that eating is a pleasant experience.
Appetite Enhancing Vitamins
Some vitamins or certain drugs can be used as a child's appetite enhancer. So, make sure that the vitamins you give your child contain some substances that have been shown to be effective in increasing appetite. Some substances that are useful as a child's appetite enhancer are:
- Zinc, zinc deficiency causes changes in appetite.
- Curcuma
- thiamine
- Fish Oil or fish oil
Natural / Herbal Appetite Enhancer for Children
Some natural or herbal ingredients can increase a child's appetite, including:
Turmeric
Turmeric herb can be a choice of parents as a child's appetite enhancer. Not only as an appetite enhancer for children, but regular administration of turmeric can also increase levels of digestive enzymes and increase endurance. A concoction of turmeric can also help relieve fever, and pain in the stomach, as an antiseptic for canker sores, and anti-inflammatory.
Curcuma
Temulawak which has the Latin name Curcuma Xanthorrhiza Roxb is a spice and medicinal plant that contains various nutrients that are good for the health of the body. Temulawak is often used as a child's appetite enhancer. Behind the bitter, spicy taste and fragrant aroma, there are a myriad of other health benefits of ginger.
Honey
Who does not know honey. The results showed that honey can be used to increase children's appetite. In addition, honey has also been shown to accelerate the healing of fever and cold symptoms in children. Honey also has a complete nutritional content.
The main nutritional content of honey is a variety of carbohydrate compounds such as sugar fructose (41.0%), glucose (35%), sucrose (1.9%), and dextrin (1.5%). Honey carbohydrates help increase the supply of energy needed by children.
The protein content in honey is relatively small, around 2.6%. However, the amino acid content is quite diverse, both essential and non-essential amino acids. Amino acids play a role in the protein needs of the child's body.
Other herbs and spices
Several types of herbs and other spices have also been shown to be effective in increasing appetite. Fennel, peppermint, black pepper, coriander, mint, ginger, and cinnamon are herbs and spices that have been shown to be effective as appetite enhancers in children.
This kitchen spice can also help reduce bloating. They can also stimulate the production of bile to facilitate fat digestion.