With schools closed, summer offers childhood endless free time, something that completely takes them away from their routine. Although doing your homework is no longer necessary, it is important to continue paying attention to other aspects of your day to day such as diet or exercise. Ice cream or sitting too long watching television can lead to problems that directly affect health, such as obesity. All this can be avoided with a varied and balanced diet, as well as the regular practice of sports that, in addition to being beneficial, is fun.
The high temperatures make food that is fresh, light and, at the same time, appetizing. If they can also contain healthy foods that do not have negative effects on health, you can make a summer diet that will provide all the necessary nutrients while enjoying it at mealtime.
The Mediterranean diet is one of those that offers the greatest variety of foods and health benefits. In addition to being a good way to fight obesity, the Mediterranean diet helps to avoid cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, some types of cancer or the aging of cells. For all this, it is a diet that is perfectly suitable for the smallest of the house.
It is a regime that is based mainly on natural foods: the daily requirements start from five or six pieces of fruit or vegetables a day and continue with a liter of water, a glass of milk (or two yogurts), cereals, pasta, rice , bread and a tablespoon of olive oil. Meat, eggs, fish, legumes, and potatoes should be eaten once or twice a week, and candy, buns, and sugary sodas are only recommended occasionally. The Mediterranean diet for children varies slightly from that recommended for adults: it should be based on less fatty meats and more fish and legumes.
The wide variety of foods offered by the Mediterranean diet not only serves to prevent future overweight problems in children, but can also serve to introduce different types of foods, especially vegetables and fruits. In this way, the acquisition of a healthier eating habit for their future is also encouraged. These are some proposals to prepare a healthy menu that is to the liking of the little ones:
