Why children need wholesome mid-day meal?

Children’s charities around the world often emphasise on wholesome meal for the efficient growth of their body and mind. This meal would have lean proteins, carbs and fats. Children need a generous amount of all the three for an efficient growth of body and mind. Here’s how:

Brain health

Proper nutrition served through a good meal increases blood flow within the brain, protecting brain cells. A wholesome meal would have Vitamin E and other important nutrients that are crucial for brain health.  That’s why several children’s charities stress on feeding such meal to children. Children’s charity Akshaya Patra’s kitchens located in cities such as Lucknow, Bhillai, Mysuru, etc., serve mid-day meals that are nutritious covering healthy amounts of proteins, vitamins and carbs. 

Bone and teeth strength 

A wholesome meal is rich in calcium and keeps bones and teeth of the children strong. This helps prevent bone loss associated with osteoporosis when they grow up. Calcium is mostly found in low-fat dairy products, dark green vegetables and fortified foods such as soy products and cereals which are the usual ingredients used in the school lunch prepared at Akshaya Patra kitchens.

Getting the right body weight

A balance diet helps them achieve a proper body weight which is essential for their physical and their mental health. Children’s charities around the world focus on a protein-rich diet with a good balance of carbs for the simple reason that they don’t want the children to be either under or over weight. Both the conditions are detrimental for their healthy growth during childhood. NGOs like Akshaya Patra which have presence in several major cities of India such as Bengaluru, Surat and Lucknow, follow a strict meal plan for serving school lunch. The food here is cooked according to primary and upper primary classes so that the right amount of proteins and micro nutrients are served to the children. In terms of amount of nutrients, the meals differ as per the age of the children. 

Boosts immunity, fosters self-confidence

A wholesome meal protects children against diseases. Little do we realise that this has a connection with the children’s emotional health. Children who remain ill often find it hard to cope with homework and school activities that often put them under stress. Inability to compete with peers gives them emotional imbalance that they cannot deal with. A wholesome meal boosts immunity and builds confidence and self-respect among children.

How lunch benefits children?

After breakfast, the next important meal for children is lunch.  When children eat their next meal in the middle of the day, several hours after breakfast, it re-energises their bodies. This is vital for children this keeps their metabolism active. That’s why the NGO Akshaya Patra serves wholesome mid-day meals in schools in Lucknow, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Nasik and several other places so that children take their lunch seriously and keep their metabolism active.

You can contribute positively towards this initiative and in turn contribute in the healthy growth and development of children in India. Donate today.

Water is an essential part of children’s nutrition

Most nutritionists recommend that children must get three meals in a day along with two parts of healthy snacks. As far as the lunch is concerned, Akshaya Patra ensures that school children get a proper diet through its Mid-Day Meal Programme. The organisation has fed over 1.6 million school children so far. 

Clean drinking water is an integral part of the Akshaya Patra school lunch menu that this top NGO serves to the children. Children are often never concerned about how much water they need for proper hydration. But water is an essential part of their daily nutrition. Water helps keeping their body temperature stable and it is responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells, protects tissues and organs, soothes joints and removes waste. 

Apart from meal time, children would typically drink water after playing outside and thirsting for it. It doesn’t usually strike them that they need more water. Children aged between nine and 13 need 1.6 litres/6 glasses (boys) and 1.4 litres/5 glasses (girls) of water every day. In the 14-18 age-groups, boys need to drink at least 1.9 litres/7 glasses and girls need to drink at least 1.6 litres/6 glasses per day. Apart from water, children can also be fed low-fat milk that nourishes them without giving them sugar or additives that are found in soft drinks or flavoured mineral water. Akshaya Patra encourages children to drink sufficient water after their meals. You can also play a part in this charity fundraising. 

Of course, children must be taught to consume more water during hot days or if they are indulged in a lot of outdoor activities or sports. In India, the easily available drinking water is tap water. But the good news is tap water contains fluoride that helps in developing strong teeth. However, the children who go to government schools in India often don’t have access to clean tap water at their homes. We ensure that a wholesome meal apart from clean drinking water is provided to all the children going to the government schools. These children can be benefitted through charity fundraising for Akshaya Patra. Donate for an NGO today.