Healthy, high-fibre snack for children
IT was recently reported that one in every seven children in Malaysia is affected by obesity, a serious metabolic disorder that can lead to Type 2 diabetes and a weakened immune system.
According to the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines, fibre is an under-consumed nutrient for all age groups.
Fibres, which are indigestible carbohydrates, offer an array of health benefits, including improved digestive health and satiety as well as laxation to promote regular bowels, underlining the importance of adequate intake.
The Malaysian Health Ministry has established a daily recommended daily intake for fibre at 20g to 30g, but local studies found that the average fibre intake of most Malaysians is only 13g to 16g per day (4).
The breakfast cereal paradox
Did you know, most commercially available breakfast cereals may have low fibre density and hence, do not effectively increase children’s fibre intake level?
Individuals who eat cereal consume only 1g of fibre more than children who skip breakfast or consumed other food for breakfast (1, 3).
Effects of fibre intake on children’s health
The most obvious link between dietary fibre and obesity is through its effects on energy intake control.
Children who eat a high-fibre diet tend to eat lesser energy-dense food such as candies, potato chips, chocolate bars and ice cream.
Consistent benefits of dietary fibre in body weight control and digestive health among children and adults are proven through increasing its consumption.
Fibre treatment is the first option by paediatric experts for chronic constipation in healthy children, before resorting to laxatives (2).
In accordance with the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents, it is highly advisable for everyone, especially parents, to identify and give only cereal food that is high in fibre, low in fat and contains less sugar and sodium to their children.
High-fibre, high-protein snack for you and your kids
Give your children the opportunity to savour fibre-rich food such as Biogrow Oat BG22 Crispy Cereal Snack Pack in a variety ofways.
Start your mornings with the high-fibre, high-protein snack with fresh fruits, milk and yoghurt or snack straight from the packet whenever your kid gets hungry.
One packet (15g) of Oat BG22 Crispy Cereal Snack Pack provides 3.3g of total fibre and 2g protein with only 51 calories.
It is made from oat bran in Germany and is also rich in iron and magnesium.
Take one or two packets of Oat BG22 Crispy Cereal Snack Pack a day to increase daily fibre intake and get enough hydration.
High fibre intake has been associated with bowel regularity, improved digestive function and normal body weight.
References
(1) Kranz et al., Nutr vol. 3: 47-53, 2012. (2) Walia et. al., Curr Opin Pediatr. 2009; 21:661–6.
(3) M. Brauchla et. al., Health 6 (2014) 115222.
(4) Ng TKW, Mal J Nutr 3: 137-147, 1997.
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