How does oats help the growth and health of children?

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

SAEDNEWS: Oats is an excellent choice for children as it helps with healthy growth and provide energy throughout the day. This nutritious grain is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, playing a key role in strengthening the immune system, improving digestion, and maintaining energy levels throughout the day.

How does oats help the growth and health of children?

According to SAEDNEWS, Oats is a great choice for kids that helps them grow healthy and give them daily energy. This nutritious grain is rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, which play a role in strengthening the immune system, improving digestion and maintaining energy throughout the day. Oats can easily be used for breakfast or snacks and can be combined with fruits, honey or milk to make a delicious and healthy meal. By adding oats to children's diet, you can protect their health and help them grow and develop properly.


What is oats?

Oats, as a nutrient-rich food, in addition to helping heart health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, serve as a sustainable source of energy for the body. The soluble fiber in oats, especially beta-glucan, can help reduce the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood. Also, due to the presence of vegetable protein and essential amino acids, oats contribute to maintaining muscles and improving metabolic processes in children's bodies. One of the distinctive features of oats is its ease of use in different types of food. You can use oats to prepare a variety of puddings, smoothies, pancakes or as an addition to yogurt and desserts for children. Finally, daily consumption of oats not only helps children's physical health, but can also improve mental performance.

Nutritional value and vitamins of oats

Oats are a rich source of nutrients, here are the nutritional value of oats and their vitamins:

Nutritional value of 100 grams of oats

Vitamins and minerals

Calories: About 71 calories

B group vitamins

Protein: about 2.5 grams

Vitamin E

Fat: 1.4 grams

iron

Carbohydrates: 12 grams

Magnesium

Fiber: 1.7 grams

Calcium

Sugar: 0.5 grams

Zinc

Water: 84 grams

Potassium

Oat is a cereal rich in B vitamins, vitamin E and various minerals, which are useful for maintaining body health and providing necessary energy throughout the day. In addition, due to its high fiber content, oats help in better digestion and prevent digestive problems.

  1. Strengthening the digestive system: Oats contain high fiber, which helps improve the functioning of the digestive system and prevents constipation.

  2. Support heart’s health: Oat consumption can have an effect on reducing bad cholesterol (LDL) and is beneficial for children's heart.

  3. Nutritious and Energy-boosting: Oats are rich in carbohydrates, proteins and B group vitamins that provide the energy needed by the child's body.

  4. Strengthening the immune system: Oats contain antioxidants such as vitamin E, which play a role in strengthening the child's immune system.

  5. Blood sugar control: Oats have a low glycemic index and its consumption can help maintain a stable blood sugar level.

  6. Improving sleep quality: Oats contains a substance called melatonin, which will improve children's sleep.

  7. Good for skin: Oats can help improve children's skin due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.

To include oats in a child's diet, it can be prepared in various forms such as porridge, pudding, or even mixed with fruits and nuts. For more information, we recommend thoroughly reading the article on the benefits of oats for children.

cookies

How to use oats for children :

In this section, two recipes using oats or rolled oats for children are described:

Recipe for Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies for Children

Ingredients for making oatmeal and raisin cookies:

  • 1 cup of oats or rolled oats

  • 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour

  • 1/4 cup of raisins

  • 1/4 cup of honey or brown sugar (optional)

  • 1/4 cup of coconut oil or butter (melted)

  • 1 egg

  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)

  • 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease the baking tray with oil. In a large bowl, mix oats, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, combine the egg, honey (or brown sugar), and vanilla extract. Then, add the melted coconut oil or butter to the mixture and stir well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until a uniform dough forms. Fold in the raisins, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Use a tablespoon to scoop equal portions of the dough and shape them into small balls.

Place these dough balls on the baking tray and gently flatten them with your hand or a spoon. Bake the cookies in the oven for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden and crisp. After baking, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the tray for a few minutes.

Smoothie recipe of Oat with Fruits for Children:

Oat and Fruit Smoothie for children is a healthy, delicious, and energy-boosting drink that can be enjoyed as a nutritious snack or breakfast. Here is the recipe and tips for making it:

  • Oats: 2 tablespoons:

  • Fresh or frozen fruits (such as banana, strawberries, blueberries, or peach): 1 cup

  • Milk (or plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk): 1 cup

  • Honey or maple syrup (optional for extra sweetness): 1 teaspoon

  • Ice (optional): A few cubes for extra chill

  • Cinnamon or vanilla powder (optional): A pinch

First, put oats in a container and soak them in some water or milk for 10 to 15 minutes until they become soft. (For faster preparation, you can use rolled oats.) Place soaked oats, fruit, milk, honey, and ice in a blender. Mix all the ingredients well to get a smooth and creamy consistency. Taste the smoothie and add honey or other sweetener if needed.

Rolled oat

Tips:

· To enhance the nutritional value, you can add protein powder (suitable for children) or chia seeds to the smoothie.

· You can add milk or Greek yogurt to this mixture to enrich the smoothie.

· If the child is allergic to milk, you can use vegetable milk such as almond milk or soy milk.

· For a better taste and more variety, you can mix different fruits in the ingredients.

· This smoothie can be suitable for children of different ages, but honey should be avoided for children under 1 year old.

· This smoothie can be a great way to include nutrients like fiber, vitamins and proteins in your child's diet.