Summer months are a time period that differs in terms of metabolism in the body and requires special nutrition due to the hot summer months. Care must be taken to keep the body resistant to heat and not to be damaged.
Child nutrition, in particular, is an issue that should be emphasized. Water intake is important in terms of replacing the water lost by the body with sweat. The need for water should not be met with sugary and carbonated drinks, the family should support the consumption of water with pleasure. It can be tempted with tiny cut pieces of fresh fruit. Fruit juices can be added to it. Of course, the fruits that take their place in the markets should be used in abundance.
In addition, peach, apricot, cherry, melon, watermelon and grapes should be taken with children to make them attractive. Generally, the fruits are difficult to prepare and consume because they are juicy. During the preparation, the family should be together and cooperate, and children should be given opportunities to demonstrate their skills.
Nutrition during summer vacation varies according to the places. It can be used in holiday villages, summer houses, visiting relatives, in highlands, by the sea, in villages and towns, abroad, in five-star hotels, one-star hotels, holiday tours, etc. They all show different properties.
In holiday villages, especially in all-inclusive programs, overnutrition threatens our children and leads to waste. Children think that the world consists only of those who live like themselves, and selfish feelings come to the fore.
One of the points to be considered here is the disruption of daily routine and the frequent occurrence of digestive system disorders. No matter how much care is taken, waiting food causes problems in sensitive bodies. In summer, bacterial growth and hygiene rules require more attention.
Negative cooking methods are prominent in nutrition in summer cottages, and cooking meat on the barbecue unhealthy affects children. All day long by the sea, ready-made and snack foods such as bagels, pickles, corn, and mussels are consumed, and one-way nutrition is provided. In the evening hours, there is a heavy consumption.
It can also be possible to go to different parts of the country and get acquainted with different diets and different food preparation methods. However, sensitive bodies may experience problems. A small amount of habitual feeding minimizes the problem.
Ice cream consumption is high in summer months, unnecessary calories are loaded, and it causes weight gain.
Sometimes there may be loss of appetite due to the heat. The child’s lack of appetite should be considered temporary, if it lasts for a long time and developmental delay is observed, precautions should be taken. The child should not be expected to be fed all the time, as in other times, and it should be kept in mind that there may be changes in appetite from time to time, as in adults. Therefore, children should not be pressured to eat.
Importance should be given to fiber consumption, not to overdo it, consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits should be supported in summer months, and sufficient protein intake should be paid attention. Whole wheat bread can be preferred as an occasional variety as it may cause some mineral losses in child nutrition.
During the summer months, the daily schedule of children becomes more flexible, so the number of meals is usually reduced to two and the consumption of junk food increases in between. This slows down the metabolism and reduces energy consumption, leading to excess weight.
It maintains its importance in the summer months when the most important meal is “breakfast”. The day should start again without too much delay, and breakfast should be given due importance.
HAPPY AND PEACEFUL HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR CHILDREN…
ÖZNUR SIMAV-PEDAGOG
FAMILY AND COMMUNICATION ADVISOR-FOUNDER-STUDENT COACH
(98007096) (960070705) )
