With the growing demands of modern life, many parents find it easier to prepare and serve ready-made foods to their children.

These products often promise convenience and practicality, but they may also be silently putting your kid’s health at risk. Many ready-made foods contain high levels of sugar, salt, and preservatives that can have a negative impact on your child’s wellbeing.

In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the dangers of ready-made foods and provide recommendations for healthier alternatives.

1. High Sugar Content in Ready-made Foods

Most ready-made foods such as cereals, snacks, and fruit juices contain high levels of sugar. These sweeteners can lead to weight gain and even type 2 diabetes.

The World Health Organization recommends children should consume no more than 25 grams of added sugars per day. However, with one serving of many ready-made foods, a child can easily consume twice this amount. By having a diet full of these foods, children are at higher risk of developing these long-term issues.

2. High Salt Content in Ready-made Foods

Sodium is a mineral that’s essential to your body’s optimal functioning, but too much can lead to high blood pressure and other cardiac problems. Ready-made foods such as frozen dinners, chips, and soups are high in salt.

Excessive consumption of these foods puts children at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, kidney disease, and other health issues.

3. High Preservative Content in Ready-made Foods

Preservatives are chemicals that are added to foods to extend their shelf life. However, many of these substances have been linked to major health problems, including cancer and hyperactivity.

Ready-made foods such as chips, meats, and canned goods often contain added preservatives and flavor enhancers, known as “flavor packets”. They may contain MSG and other substances that can cause headaches, fatigue, and mood swings.

4. Lack of Nutritional Value in Ready-made Foods

In addition to the high levels of salt, sugar, and preservatives, most ready-made foods lack nutritional value. They are usually processed and packaged in such a way that they degrade essential vitamins and minerals.

When children consume these foods, they miss out on essential nutrients that are necessary for their growth and development. A diet full of these foods can lead to anemia, malnutrition, and issues involving growth.

5. Alternatives to Ready-made Foods

While it may seem overwhelming to change your family’s eating habits, small changes can lead to big improvements in your children’s health. Some alternatives to ready-made foods include:.

Fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables

If you want to make a quick meal for your child, frozen vegetables are just as good as their fresh counterparts. Plus, they already come pre-washed and chopped, making preparations easy.

You could also involve your child in the process of choosing things to blend and mix to make their meals more appealing.

Home-made snacks

Snacks such as apple slices, crackers with hummus, celery with peanut butter, or trail mix are great alternatives to packaged snacks. These snacks contain less sugar and salt and are easy to make ahead of time to have on hand when time is tight.

Home-cooked meals

When you have time, try to cook home-made meals with fresh ingredients. You know what you put in the dishes you cook at home, and you can ensure that your child has a balanced and nutritious meal without added sugars, salt, or preservatives.

Conclusion

Ready-made foods have become a staple in many homes, but the risks that come with consuming them are not worth the convenience. To ensure that your child maintains optimal health, reducing their exposure to these products is essential.

By making healthier choices for your children, you are setting them up for a lifetime of healthy habits.