It goes without saying that children don’t like eating cereals a lot. Do you personally know the kids, who are crazy about different types of cereals and eat them every day not just because their parents cook these dishes, but because they like them? Personally, I don’t know such kids and when I was little, I also underestimated the importance of cereals and did not like eating them, when they were served in the kindergarten or at home. As I grew up, I started understanding the benefits and value of cereals and try to include them into the everyday ration of my kids. However, there is one important question I’m concerned with: what cereals are more nutritious and valuable? Which of them is it better to cook more often and how many times a week should a child eat cereals? If you have the same questions, this article will help you make the things clear.
Use of Cereals
Cereals are an indispensable source of vitamins, microelements, and other nutrients that are crucial when it comes to the development of a kid’s body and functioning of its systems. Furthermore, cereals of all types are very nutritious and fill children with health and energy for the whole day. Listed below are the most popular and widespread types of cereals children should consume on a daily basis in combination with vegetables, meat and fish dishes.
Types of Cereals and Their Benefits
Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a leader in the list of the most nutritious and healthy cereals. It does not contain any gluten, which is a great advantage for children, who are prone to allergies. The cereal is rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins and it also contains less starch and carbohydrates as compared to other types of cereals. Doctors recommend eating buckwheat even to those people, who suffer from diabetes. And everyone knows that buckwheat is rich in vitamin B, folic acid and Ferrum, which makes the cereal the best choice for kids, who have developed anemia.
Oatmeal
Who doesn’t eat oatmeal? This cereal ranks second in the list of the healthiest cereals. This is because it contains lots of fatty acids and fibers that improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract of a person. Furthermore, the cereal does not contain much starch and carbohydrates. Oatmeal along with buckwheat are the most nutritious and healthiest cereals any child should obligatorily eat every day in combination with other products.
Wheat Porridge
Most children don’t like eating wheat porridge because of its taste properties and look. However, when combined with other products, vegetables, meat, fish, versatile sauces etc., this cereal can become a nice addition to your everyday ration. To tell the truth, the nutritional value of this product is less than that of other cereals, but it contains much fiber, carbohydrates, starch and vitamins that are indispensable for a growing organism of your kid. However, if your kid is prone to allergic reactions, it is better to avoid feeding him/her with wheat porridge until the child grows up a bit. This is because the cereal contains gluten, which may trigger allergies in kids.
Corn Cereal
Corn cereal does not cause allergies and contains gluten, but it is low in calories. Corn is great for digestion, reduces bloating and contains much starch and fiber, which is great for the gastrointestinal system. However, if you cook it for a long time, nutritional elements dissolve. So, take your time to learn how to cook corn porridge well.
There are also other cereal types, but these ones enjoy greater popularity with kids and adults. By the way, some people like rice porridge, but it does not taste well when cooked separately and has to be cooked with other ingredients or sauces for a better taste. Keep this in mind when cooking cereals for your children!
