Down syndrome: 5 tips to help your child eat healthy

Every child needs precise nutrition from an early age. Children’s health is as delicate as a petal. Their body is prone to infections due to low immunity. Since down syndrome is a genetic disease, we need to take care of the reciprocity between nutrition & genes. If the child is less active and not on a nutritional diet, then it might lead to medical conditions and development issues. Similarly some children with down syndrome who are less active are more prone to health complications that are caused due to obesity like hypertension, diabetes, gastroenteritis, heart disease, thyroid etc.

To ensure they lead a healthy life, certain dietary changes will be useful:

1. No sugar foods & drinks – Sugar as it tastes sweet can be even more harmful if taken carelessly. Canned fruit juices, aerated drinks, sweets, desserts, etc., have artificial sweeteners which contribute to weight gain and the health risk associated with it. Children who consume sugary foods & drinks daily are more prone to diabetes. To satiate their sugar cravings, serve them fruits, natural fresh fruit juices & milkshakes without adding sugar, and coconut water.

2. Go gluten free – Any intolerance to gluten in food products can cause intestinal issues like diarrhea. Go for a gluten free diet that has fruits, vegetables, legumes, poultry and whole grains.

3. Include more fiber – Eating the right amount of fiber enriched foods helps reduce constipation. Bananas, avocado, berries, apples & oats are good sources of fiber.

4. Calcium foods – As their body develops, children need calcium for strong bones & teeth. Include a glass of milk & a bowl of yogurt every day in their diet regime. Beware of not giving them excess calcium.

5. Lots of water – To help deal with constipation, water is the best solution. Apart from having fresh fruit juices & coconut water, let the intake of liquids be more to keep the body hydrated. This will make them less lethargic and will keep the body cool.

Be patient! There is no one adequate method to deal with kids having Down syndrome. Some might even have difficulty chewing & swallowing food.Encourage them to eat independently. Initially they might find it difficult due to less grip and coordination issues. Slowly they will understand and develop eating skills. Give more time for physical activity. Let them grow strong and live a healthy & happy life!