Benefits of algae in children's diet

Algae are foods of plant origin that come from the seabed. Its nutritional composition is similar to that of vegetables, with a high content of water, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Provide essential nutrients, necessary for the growth and development of children, as well as being a good source of en

Algae are foods of plant origin that come from the seabed. Its nutritional composition is similar to that of vegetables, with a high content of water, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Provide essential nutrients, necessary for the growth and development of children, as well as being a good source of energy without hardly providing fat. These are just some of the benefits of algae in the diet of children, know them all.

Advantages of introducing algae in children's diet

There are more than 20 options of algae on the market, some more frequent or easier to find than others:

- Nori algae, ideal for children because of its composition , is rich in proteins, and vitamin A, B1, B2 and C, in addition to iodine, whose main function is to regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland. It also contains omega 3 fatty acids, which protect the heart.

- Dulse al is another very attractive option in childhood, thanks to its content of iron, magnesium and beta carotenes, precursors of vitamin A. But what benefits can we get if we introduce algae in the diet of children?

- As vegetables that are,

the algae are rich in fiber , whose most important function is to regulate the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, preventing constipation.-

They are an invaluable source of calcium , whose importance in growth is widely known. Thus, seaweed helps maintain healthy and strong bones and teeth, in addition to helping the muscles to function properly and the nervous system to maintain daily connections.-

Prevents anemia thanks to its high iron content. Not all algae have the same amount of iron, and specifically the wakame seaweed, one of the simplest to use, contains not insignificant amounts. -

As a source of vitamin K , algae protect against the formation of clots, something very important for children, who may be prone to fall and to have their knees marked almost permanently. Vitamin K is essential, transmitting signals to platelets, responsible for blood clotting. Adicionalmente - Additionally, algae are also rich in antibacterial substances, in addition to having anti-inflammatory properties according to some studies. Specifically, algae consumption has been linked to an improvement in some skin diseases, such as eczema.

How to introduce algae into children's diet Some children are open to trying and incorporating new foods into their diet easily, while others are more reticent. Seaweed is not a favorite dish for many, so it is likely that, alone, they are not very successful, but they can be used instead of other vegetables as an accompaniment to the dishes.But in fact, if your intention is that your little ones consume algae in their usual diet, your main asset is to

enter them as soon as possible

. There are no reasons why they can not be consumed after the introduction of complementary feeding, provided that care is taken in choosing those low in sodium, whose high content due to its marine origin, is one of the main disadvantages of algae.