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Parents: Tips to Support Healthy Hydration
Special to The Truth
Parents often wonder how
to maintain their kids’ health. One important step that may
be overlooked is to ensure that young children are properly
hydrated. It can also be a challenge for parents to create a
menu kids will enjoy that meets the recommended Daily Value
(DV) of vitamins and nutrients.
“By including U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA)-certified organic fruits
and vegetables in your children’s diets, you can help ensure
your child is staying hydrated from the water in them, while
also consuming the necessary vitamins, minerals and protein
that they need to grow healthy and strong,” says Dr. Deena
Blanchard, Pediatrician at Premier Pediatrics in New York
City and a consultant for Ella’s Kitchen brand, which makes
organic food for babies, toddlers and kids. “Nutritional
shakes provide proteins, vitamins, and minerals, the
necessary building blocks of a healthy immune system, to
supplement kids’ daily diets for complete nutrition; and
electrolyte waters with naturally-occurring electrolytes can
also help keep kids hydrated.”
Dr. Blanchard recommends
the following tips to help parents make good choices for
their children.
• Hydrate children,
especially when sick: When children are sick, the importance
of proper hydration cannot be overestimated. If eating or
drinking is difficult, try giving your child smaller
amounts, more frequently. Choose water, 100 percent juice or
drinks that contain naturally occurring electrolytes and
other components that help support kids’ immune systems.
• Choose wisely: Watch out
for artificial flavors, colors and preservatives as well as
the amount of added sugars in sports drinks and other
beverages. It is important to provide kids with beverages
that are free of artificial ingredients and contain fruits
and vegetables. You can be sure you’re avoiding those
additions when you choose USDA organic beverages, such as
Ella’s Kitchen Organic Coconut Water Electrolyte Drinks or
their new Smoothie Drinks, which provide one full serving of
fruit per 8 fluid ounces.
• Don’t forget to hydrate
when playing sports: Kids can become dehydrated while
playing sports or engaging in other physical activity. At
the ballpark or playground, it is important to keep drinks
on hand. Good choices include organic fruit and veggie
purees, which contribute significant water to the diet and
naturally-occurring electrolytes for natural rehydration.
• Supplement: Though vital
to proper growth and development, meeting the recommended
daily intake of vitamins and nutrients can be tough,
especially for little ones who are picky eaters. A tasty,
protein-packed nutritional shake can help parents ensure
kids get the calories and nutrition they need. Consider
trying Ella’s Kitchen Coconut + Milk Nutritional Shakes,
which are made with certified USDA organic low-fat milk,
fruit + veggie purees and coconut water, providing 44
percent of the recommended DV of protein, 30 percent DV of
calcium, as well as vitamin B12, riboflavin, iodine and
electrolytes. Made with ingredients parents recognize, these
shakes provide a boost of nutrition with a taste that kids
will enjoy.
Visit EllasKitchen.com for
more options for healthy hydration and nutrition for the
little ones.
In the warmer months,
proper hydration is especially crucial. Parents should seek
out choices for kids that support a healthy immune system.
Courtesy StatePoint
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