For many families, organizing daily lunches and dinners is a great investment of time, which often translates into preparing something quick, unhealthy and above all, inappropriate. So that this does not happen, it is very important that each week you dedicate some time to weekly menu planning. In this way, you can ensure that children have a varied, balanced and healthy diet.
But not only that, the organization of lunches and dinners for the whole week will allow you to dedicate a minimum time, the necessary time to cook. In addition, when you go to do the shopping you can buy those foods necessary to cook every day. Namely, with a little organization you can save time, money and you will avoid giving the children inappropriate foods.
Dinner is usually one of the great culinary complications of the day, after a long day at work who wants to start cooking, right? The food eaten at night is usually the biggest loser of the day. The same time and pampering is not usually devoted to the other more "important" meals. However, dinner is one of the most important meals, since if it is not appropriate, it can interfere with sleep and the necessary rest.
What should the children have for dinner?
Children generally go to bed shortly after dinner, so they don't have enough time to digest properly. Therefore, it is necessary that dinner is light and light so children can sleep well. Also, it is important that dinner is early so that they can digest the food before going to bed.
Moreover, it is important choose well the foods children eat at night. In the same way that some products promote rest, other foods are less appropriate because they are heavier, more exciting and, ultimately, not very appropriate for dinner time. Do not miss the list of foods that children should eat for better sleep.
Foods that promote rest
These foods contain nutrients that promote sleep for different reasons.
- Blue fish: This food contains, among others, Omega3 fatty acids, essential for the proper functioning of neuronal connections. In addition, oily fish contains selenium, which reduces anxiety and stress, magnesium and tryptophan, which release melatonin and help reduce arousal.
- The eggs: Among many other nutrients, the egg contains tryptophan, that substance that helps to relax and fall asleep. At night it is preferable to cook it as lightly as possible, in a French omelette or poached.
- Milk: Who has not had a glass of hot milk to promote sleep on occasion? Milk also contains tryptophan, in addition to vitamin B6 and magnesium.
- Lean meat: Lean meats provide vitamin B6, in addition to protein, iron and zinc, essential nutrients for rest.
- The banana: This fruit is very appropriate to take at night, since among other nutrients it contains vitamin B6, tryptophan, magnesium and selenium. As we have already seen, all of them are essential minerals to get a good rest.
As you can see, dinner can be very varied if you plan and organize it in advance. Any dish you prepare should be light and cooked in the softest way. That is, all the foods you find on the list are perfect for dinner if they are well cooked. Try use the oven to cook at night, much cleaner and more appropriate for dinner.
Foods that should not appear at dinner
Other foods should be excluded from dinner, as they can cause the child to not sleep well.
- Exciting: Children should not drink carbonated beverages that contain caffeine, nor of course coffee or tea. Neither chocolate, since this rich food also contains caffeine.
- The cheese: this food contains a substance that activates brain function, perfect for the day but not for the night.
- Sausages: They are difficult to digest, so it is preferable that they take them for a snack or mid-morning.
- Foods rich in water: Although water is essential at any time of the day, at night it is preferable to omit foods such as watermelon or melon, since surely the child you will have to get up several times at night to go to the bathroom.