Face-to-face education started for kindergarten and primary school children. It is necessary to take various nutritional measures to protect the immunity of the child going to school. Explaining that packaged products should never be included in the diet, Pediatrician Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar said, “These products damage the child's immune system. It has serious side effects on the gut system.” Bakar advised the child to drink a glass of orange juice in the morning instead of a vitamin C supplement.
The schools, which have been closed since March due to the pandemic, opened their doors for face-to-face education on September 21. In the face-to-face education process that starts for kindergarten and primary school 1st grades, the child's lunchbox is also important. Stating that families should pay attention to adequate and balanced nutrition of their children in order to protect the immune system, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Child Health and Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar: “There are many supplements in the regulation of immunity, but most important factor is adequate and balanced nutrition. Carbohydrates in every meal, fresh vegetables, fruits, milk, and dairy products are very important. With this in mind, they must prepare a balanced eating plan. There should be a diet in the form of 3 main meals and 2 snacks. It is also important to prefer health foods rather than snacks. This will strengthen the immunity of the child.”

“Eggs In Breakfast Is A Must”

Stating that dairy products should definitely be included in the breakfast, Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar: “We also recommend cheese, olives, and a slice of whole wheat bread. Cucumbers and tomatoes must be included, as well. Carbohydrates such as honey and jam should also be included. If the child goes to school too early, there may be a breakfast hour at school. It would make sense not to force the child to feed early, but instead to give him/her a banana and a glass of milk.”

“Packaged Products Are Harmful to Both Immunity and Intestines”

Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar gave the following warnings:

“All packaged products contain preservatives in some way. When you look at the ingredients, there are so many substances that when they come together, they harm the child and the immune system. It has serious side effects on the gut system.” The child loves to eat, but we do not recommend packaged products. Instead of ready-made cakes, families can make cakes at home and put them next to the child as a snack option. Make them drink a glass of orange juice in the morning instead of taking a vitamin C supplement to the child. They can also eat fresh fruit. These are the daily needs of a child. In fact, everyone knows about healthy eating. However, it is difficult to implement. We generally choose to use ready-made package products. Therefore, honey is an effective food for balanced nutrition. We have known about the benefits of honey for years. Molasses should also be consumed by children in the same way. It is important to include them in your daily routine. The child needs to be given these nutrients in a way that he/she likes.”

What Do Parents Pay Attention To?

Stating that she has a child starting 1st grade of primary school, Seda Adamoğlu said that they pay attention to protein and carbohydrate balance in nutrition. Stating that they use vitamin C supplements, Adamoğlu said that they do not lack fruits and vegetables in their daily diet. Sonay Aktaş, who said that she took care to have her child's breakfast at home, said that they took into consideration the warnings of experts. Esra Bağıran stated that they included vitamin, mineral, and protein-weighted nutrition and added: "I was paying attention to my child's nutrition before the coronavirus epidemic. We continue to eat healthy foods.”
Stating that she had difficulty in feeding her children vegetables, Seda Şen said, "We include nuts such as walnuts and almonds in nutrition. Dairy products, especially cheese, are among the indispensable foods. “We have been taking vitamin supplements for five months too.”

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