Here is one morereason to believe that an apple a day can indeed keep the doctor away! Applescan reduce the risk of cancers and heart disease and can improve lung function,according to a recent review article.

 A brief summary is presented below:

The unhealthy diet that is a part of the modern urban lifestyle is one of thecontributing factors to the development of heart disease and cancer. In fact,it has been found that a healthy diet could reduce cancers by around 30%.

Researchers have found that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce theincidence of breast cancer, heart disease and other ailments like cataract,diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and asthma.

The beneficial effects of fruitsand vegetables have been attributed to phyto chemicals.

These arenon-nutrient components of food and include carotenoids, flavonoids, isflavonoids, and phenolic acids. Phytochemicals provide a number of healthbenefits. These include inhibition of proliferation of cancer cells, reductionof inflammation and prevention of oxidation and subsequent damage to DNA,lipids and protein components of cells.

The National Research Councilrecommends consuming five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Apples are rich in phytochemicals like flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Theyalso have the highest amount of free phenolic compounds compared to other fruits,which are easy to absorb from the digestive tract.

Various studies concluded that apples have the following health benefits:

• Apples due to the flavonoids in them has been associated with a reducedrisk of cancer, especially lung cancer.

• Apple intake was found to reduce the risk of heart disease, which may beassociated with the presence of the flavonoids, catechin and epicatechin inapples.

• Apple intake was also associated with a reduction in asthma, especiallywith a consumption of at least two apples a day. Apples also appeared toimprove lung function.

• Apples were also found to reduce the risk for diabetes. In this case,quercetin, which is present in apple peels, appears to play an important role.Apples may also contribute to weight loss.

The benefits of apples arerelated to their following properties:

• Apples, especially apple peels, have good antioxidant properties and canprotect the consumer from liver and colon cancer.

• The antioxidant properties of apples (due to the presence of phenolics)also protect against lipid oxidation. Lipid oxidation contributes tothickening of blood vessels, a condition called atherosclerosis.
• Apples have anti proliferative properties i.e. they prevent theproliferation of cancer cells.

• Apples have cholesterol-lowering properties. They also raise thelevels of HDL or good cholesterol.

• In addition, apples have also been found to inhibit the activity ofcholera toxin, thus providing a beneficial effect in cholera.

The phytochemical content of apples varies according to the variety of theapples. Fortunately, the phytochemical content is minimally affected bystorage.

However, it is affected by method ofprocessing of apples into juices. For example, apple juice obtained by pulpingand straight pressing has higher antioxidant activity compared to that obtainedafter pulp enzyme. Apple pomace, the waste product accumulated from juiceproduction, is rich in antioxidants and may be explored for further commercialuse. Same is the case with apple peels, which are wasted during the productionof apple sauce and canned apples.

Tonsils play an important role in fighting germs and infections that enter the body. The tonsils catch the infections and germs in the mouth before they enter the rest of the body as they contain antibodies which are released to fight them off. Sometimes when infections and germs get in the mouth in excess the tonsils can get infected themselves and swell causing inflammation. The most common symptom of tonsils is that your throat hurts most of the time and it gets very difficult to eat or even swallow things.

Tonsillitis is caused by virus that infects the tonsils. When the tonsils get infected seriously and occur again then doctors often suggest getting them surgically removed. This operation is called a 'tonsillectomy'.

Some signs of tonsils that a bacteria or virus has done harm are when the tonsils look redder than usual. Sometimes a yellow or white coating on the tonsils, swollen glands at the back of the neck, accompanied by fever and bad breath. Consulting a doctor for further treatment is essential.

The test for tonsils can be done with physical examination of the throat and sometimes strep test to know if some bacteria have infected the tonsil. The signs also show the problems with the tonsils. Strep test will determine whether there are bacteria in the throat.

The treatment of tonsils can be done after the test that confirms the severity of the problem. If the tonsils are inflammmed due to strep bacteria then antibiotics can help kill off the bacteria. But if the tonsils are infected by a virus then the body will fight off the virus itself and if it is severe the doctor may advice to get the tonsil removed as kids have thicker tonsils then adults which can cause problems while breathing.

Post operative care for tonsillitis usually starts with drinking lots of fluid and water throughout the day. Eat liquid foods if you have trouble swallowing food . Doctors often prescribe ice cream and things that are cold so that it reduces the inflammation and pain in the throat.

Clean and hygienic surroundings promote good health. Most people are very conscious about keeping the kitchen and washrooms spotlessly clean. The other primary areas of the house like the bedroom get swept, mopped and dusted but how many of us pay attention to other center point of a bedroom like the bed.

Bedroom is prone to a variety of pollutants that reside in the air, bedding material, furniture and even air conditioner. How do we ensure that highest levels of hygiene are maintained in the room to  avoid  infections and allergies. Besides health a clean bedroom also keeps insomnia away and makes you sleep well.

Here are few tips to ensure the cleanliness of the bedroom:

Ensure the room is ventilated at least once a day to circulation of fresh air. This especially helps prevent respiratory conditions like asthma

In addition to the natural ventilation, family with air-conditioner should clean the dust gauze of the air-conditioner once a week.

Furniture in bedroom should be dusted at least once day. The cloth used for dusting should be cleaned everyday.

Smoking in bedroom would seriously pollute the air besides harming your health.

Use natural material like wood or bamboo for your bedroom furniture. Synthetic material which is now being popularly used to make beds that also have toxins like

 formaldehyde, methanol, phenol, benzene, and lead, cadmium which can cause respiratory irritation, allergic reactions and poisoning.

Wash the linen at least once a way and dry it in direct sunlight to kill any germs. Sun and air your pillows and blankets at least once a month so that germs don’t collect on them over a period of time. Dust your mattress daily to prevent any allergies or respiratory condition

One major reason on germs and bacteria entering into your bedroom is through shoes and footwear which carry them from all over from your daily ventures. Take of your outdoor shoes out of your bedroom and keep a different pair of slippers just for your bedroom so that there is least possibility of germs and bacteria entering your bedroom.

Some personal hygiene has to be brought into bedroom hygiene as well. Wash yourself before jumping into your bed as germs and dirt from the day could get passed on to the bed. Wash your feet and pat it dry as our feet collect the maximum dirt and germs in the day and is prone to feet and toe infections. Dust your bed sheets before going in bed and don’t carry dirty things along with you while going to bed.

One major reason on germs and bacteria entering into your bedroom is through shoes and footwear which carry them from all over from your daily ventures. Take of your outdoor shoes out of your bedroom and keep a different pair of slippers just for your bedroom so that there is least possibility of germs and bacteria entering your bedroom.

Constipation is less frequent bowel movement which could be three or lesser time a week. The stool is usually hard in sensation and gets difficult to pass through. The stool doesn't get cleared properly and causes uneasiness in the stomach because of the accumulated defection. Constipation is a common problem and can happen to people of all ages. Constipation is a symptom and not a disease.

The symptoms of constipation could be due to reason of obstructed defecation and Hypo mobility. Generally people refer constipation to the disturbed bowel movement and painful defecation. The cause of hypo mobility or colonic slow transit constipation could be due to diet hormones, medication and heavy toxins in the body. The causes of obstructed defecation can be due to less dietary fiber in the diet, insufficient fluid intake, low physical activity and hypothyroidism etc.

Treatments for constipation include change in diet and addition of more fiber to the diet, laxatives which is the most common over the counter medication, enemas etc. There are physical examinations of the anus to see the cause of constipation and sometimes using fingers in the anal with gloves or using medicines to ease the anal sphincter that may be making the defecation difficult. Blood test and X-ray may be done in case there are other causes to constipation.

Eating more fruits, vegetables, grains and foods high in dietary fiber help improve better bowel movement along with water to ease the passing of the defecation out of the body without being very dry. Exercise improves blood flow in the body and gives a workout to the muscles which improve the movement. For medication and use of laxatives, visit a doctor to know the cause of your problem and use of laxatives. Take action whenever you feel the symptoms for constipation, though it is not severe and can be tackled to normal.

Learning disability is also known as learning disorder. It is a learning disorder where the children have problems in learning typically a few things. There are different learning disabilities found in children which make it difficult for the child to progress. The child with such disability finds it difficult to learn, understand and concentrate. It is a difference in the brain which affects how they receive information, process, analyze, communicate or store information.

If your kids are not eating healthy nutrition while growing then the chances of health disorder increases as they grow old. Kids are at growing stages and lots of internal changes are taking place which have to be supported with proper healthy nutrition for healthy growth. A balance of all the nutrition is required in the diet for various functions in the body. If the kid is deprived of the healthy nutrition when young then the deficiency of certain nutrition could cause problems related to them.

Some kids love eating sweets, chocolates and desserts. Sweets contain excessive calories which promote weight gain and storage of fat in the body leading to obesity and heart related problems. Similarly for junk and empty calorie food which add just calories and negligible amount of nutrition for healthy growth. Eating junk food not only causes weight gain but increases cholesterol in the body which affects heart health and causes hormone imbalance.

The kid could become fat, less active orhyperactive and lazy. This unhealthy lifestyle can also increase anxiety and decrease concentration that might intervene with his learning skills. The hormonal change can make the kid look older than his usual age and lead to other health disorders.

Avoiding unhealthy foods and replacing nutritious calories with empty calories will make your kids grow in a healthy and prosperous manner. Here are some of the worst food options for kids. Though kids know the food options below are unhealthy but would demand for it. So if there has to be a ‘cheat meal’ then make sure you portion control to limit the calorie intake.

Soda: This is one of the most unhealthy food options for your kid. Sweetened beverages and sodas contain lots of sweetener which carries lot of calories and no nutrition. Drinking sweetened beverages and soda provides no health benefits except for the sugar which accumulates as fat in the body. Drinking soda fills you up and makes you miss on nutrition you could have consumed otherwise.

Potatoes Chips: Kids love potatoes fries with ketchup. Potatoes fries are deep fried chips of potatoes which are laden with oil that is not healthy for heart health and is high in sodium. Potato itself is a starchy vegetable which quickly breaks down in the body. It provides huge number of calories and minimum nutrients for healthy growth. It is highly fattening too.

Sugar Coated Breakfast Cereals: Don't get carried away with the television commercials which sell sugar coated cereals for better health. Though the cereals may be rich in some nutrients but the sugar it contains makes it high calorie which is fattening and leads to being overweight. Use whole grain cereals which contain fiber and helps keep your kid active by managing the blood sugar levels.

Ice-cream: Kids love exploring their taste buds and what better than ice-cream which is available in different flavors to suit their taste buds. Ice-creams contain artificial sweetener which provides huge calories. It is fattening and stores the extra calories in the body. Also most of the ice-cream sold in the market has milk solids and air that give that volume. Mothers tend to substitute dairy with ice-cream thinking that the child might enjoy dairy in this form. But in reality ice-creams are not a substitute of dairy products!!

Cheese Burgers: Cheese Burgers are often mistaken by the kids as a complete meal with a glass of carbonated drinks. Burgers are made from fortified grains and contain cheese and stuffing which is processed.The soda spikes the calorie intake leading to fat accumulation in the body.Instead opt for whole wheat homemade burgers where you can control the oil usage and use fresh ingredients.

Anemia is a condition where the count of red blood cells or hemoglobin in blood which carries oxygen to body tissue is less than normal. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin molecules which carry the oxygen in the blood to different body parts. The reduction of red blood cells is one reason while excessive blood loss is another reason. Menstruating women can face the problem of anemia as iron is being depleted every month.

The level of hemoglobin levels vary differently for men and women. For men if the hemoglobin level is less than 13.5 gm/100 ml and for women when the hemoglobin level is less than 12.0 gm/100 ml then the person is said to have anemia. Anemia is the most common problem of the blood and can happen due to a variety of underlying factors.

Oxygen is essential for our living and we can see the repercussions in anemia and when there are reduced hemoglobin levels in the blood, it causes reduced oxygen supply to the body. The symptoms of anemia are feeling tired and weak as there is less supply of oxygen to muscle tissues causing dizziness, fatigue, fainting, breathing problems, headache, difficulty in concentration, difficulty sleeping etc. Some other signs can be pale complexion, rapid heartbeat, abnormal menstruation etc.

Different kinds of Anemia

Kids need a filling and nutritious diet for growth and unhealthy foods will slow down their growth if the daily nutrition is not met accordingly. From carbohydrates for energy to go non-stop throughout the day, the amino acids from protein to build muscle and recover them, vitamins and minerals for healthy functioning oforgans and chemical reactions in the body and fat for good cholesterol and cushioning of organs.

Kids like foods that are surprising and delightful to their taste buds. Get creative with your recipes and start making your food nutritious and attractive. Here are foods for kids to keep them healthy. Give your child plenty of options ranging from chocolates to everything that they like.

Cornflakes with milk and fruits: We all feed our kids with cornflakes but make it healthier by adding fruits to it. Include the fruit that your kids like eating - strawberries, grapes, nuts, seeds, apples, bananas etc. This meal will provide your kid with carbs, protein and essential vitamins and minerals along with iron to improve metabolism.

Eggs: Eggs provide a lot of satiety and protein, vitamins and minerals. Make it healthier by adding a slice of cheese or add a few slices of vegetables like tomatoes, cucumber etc.The meal will keep the kids feel fuller and have lots of nutrition for a good growth.

Sandwiches: What about adding a slice of lean meat for non-vegetarians and cottage cheese for veggies? Play around with your stuffing options with boiled mashed potatoes,cheese slice, tuna or vegetables. Choose whole grain bread or multiflour bread to make it healthier.

Drinks: Say no to aerated drinks including the colas and sweetened sodas as they would add empty calories which are not healthy for a child's growth. Provide other varieties from fresh fruit juice, lemonade, buttermilk, banana milk shake, mango shake and other shakes with fruits, nuts and seeds.

Walnuts: For healthy functioning of mind, omega fatty acids are equally important. Walnuts, flaxseed and fish products like salmon, tuna etc. are rich sources of omega 3 fattyacids which are important for development of child’s brain.

You can pick lots more healthy options for your child. Keep foods providing empty calories and junk those add no nutrition, away from their diets. Use less oil in the food and avoid fried foods. Follow these basics and keep your kids healthy.

Are you concerned about your kids health and looking over the grocery store for health drinks that claim to do everything from making him, taller, sharper and the many accolades that come by! Best health drinks are not just those words that show on the covers of the products but food or drinks that will really show on your kid’s health.

For growth, kids require strong bones, healthy teeth, skin, eyes, concentration and energy to keep them going throughout the day. The kids have to meet with daily nutritional requirements of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals for faster chemical reactions in the body for growth in height, weight, body mass, mind and throughout.

Large portions of food varieties and making them sit at one place for a long time to eat can irritate kids. Drinks can containthe nutrition, fill the kids up and meet the nutritional requirement to promote growth. Drinks are often used as a quick nutrition booster by mothers especially for kids that are fussy eaters and don’t eat enough green vegetables and fruits.

Certain drinks are really healthy for the kids to grow physically and mentally. Hereare some healthy drink options for your kids:

Milk: Milk is a great health drink for the kids. It provides carbs, protein and important minerals and vitamins. It keeps the kids fuller for a longer time and helps in their growth. Add fruits and nuts to make it more nutritious.

Vegetable Juice: Vegetables contain lots of vitamins and minerals. Vegetable juice like carrots, Indian gooseberry, beetroot are healthy options which will improve kids immunity to fight against infections and flu and as well nourish the body for better metabolism and health.

Fruit Juices:  Fruits are really healthy for the body, as these naturally contain lots of minerals and vitamins which help in growth of bones, muscles, improve immunity and keep the kids active throughout the day. Drinking fresh juice is healthy, and different fruit juices also provide variety to suit their taste buds.

Soups: Prepare soups at your house as soups are good appetizers which increase the kid’s appetite as well as nourish them. You can prepare a wide variety of soups from sweet corn, tomato, hot and sour etc where you can add lean meat pieces and vegetables to make it healthier. Avoid packaged soups that are easily available in your grocery stores.

Avoid drinks like colas and sweetened soda because they will increase the calorie intake increasing the fat percentage in the body. Aerated drinks provide empty calories where they provide no nutrition to the body and are not healthy. Packaged juice contain high sugar level which is again not ideal for kids growth.

Bedwetting in children is natural when they are of the age 3-8 years. There could be many reasons but all are in voluntary as kids are in the growing stage and learning the laws of nature and lifestyle. Small bladder which is unable to hold the urine for longer periods could be one problem, stress, anti-diuretic hormone which prevent water loss could be another factor. Some kids after a playful day are tired and sleep so soundly that they fail to realize the urge to urinate and land up wetting the bed.

With time kids develop the anti-diuretic hormone which controls the filling of bladder till morning. The hormone reduces the kidneys’ output of urine. This hormone cycle is developed with age between 2-6years and sometime till puberty in some cases. Secondly, the kids as they grow start to realize bladder fullness and time to urinate. Kids also learn this habit as they grow and wake up when they sense the fullness of bladder.

As a child develops he changes to stop bedwetting himself and parents can take some measures in controlling bedwetting. The problem is common in kids but bedwetting can cause germs and bacteria on the bed. Regular wetting and drying can even cause rashes which could be painful for children.Here are some quick tips to help you manage bed-wetting better:

Urinate before Sleeping: Ask your kid to urinate before jumping into his bed.Urinating before sleep will empty out the bladder and reduce bedwetting as it will give time before getting filled again.

No water after dinner: Don't make your kids drink water after dinner. Not drinking water after dinner will help not store the excess water in the body to be filtered out. Urinate before sleeping will further decrease the chances of bedwetting.

Midnight Alarm: Habituate your kid to urinate at midnight by putting an alarm.Midnight urination will release the urine and empty the bladder to sustain till morning and avoid bedwetting.

Cover your kids: Low temperature can cause bedwetting as well. Drop in temperature can make your child feel cold and release excess water which results in urinating in the bed. Check if he is wearing proper clothes and external cloth to keep him warm at night.

Use Diapers: If the kid is small to understand and the above tips not applicable for him them put diapers as these will make him urinate in the diapers and not on the bed.

The immunity of kids is in development stage to become resistant to common infection, virus, bacteria and germs that cause most common illness among children. Small children are ignorant of lifestyle and good healthy habits to stay away from organisms that cause illness like eating with dirty hands, putting objects in the mouth which could have virus, growing immunity, clothes and passing of infection from other people.

Does your child often gets sick and is down with some illness or the other? Know about the common illness amongst children and the reason for it to prevent your child from getting sick.

Heat Cramps: Kids when not ill are usually active and playing all around. Excessive play can raise the temperature in the body which can cause cramps in the muscle of the arms, legs and abdomen which can also happen due to excessive heat. The cause is the loss of salts and fluid in the body due to excessive sweating.

Dehydration: Playing outside in the heat, vomiting, exercising, the body loses lots of fluid which comes down below the required level. The mouth begins to dry and feeling of fatigue and headache is seen in children. There is low level of energy and kids become less active. Balance the fluid and salt levels. Electoral is effective.

Diarrhea: Diarrhea is a bigger form of loose motion when every dump is a loose motion.The watery bowel movement is caused by gastrointestinal infection caused by bacteria, virus and parasites. The infection can spread through dirty  hands, contaminated food, water, pets etc. A common cause of diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis which is also caused stomach flu causing vomiting and nausea.

Flu: It is also called influenza. It is an infection that causes fevers, chills, coughs, body aches, headaches, earaches and sinus problems. It is caused by influenza virus. The remedy is to get the kid vaccinated for this flu to immunize the body to resist the infection and prevent the health problems.

Whooping Cough: If the kid has long fits of cough and causing difficulty in breathing sometimes causing vomiting and kids should sit in airy conditions to freely breathe. It can be spread by droplets of the cough with the disease and is caused by infections which are contagious. Get a check-up done with a doctor.

Constipation: As kids require time to adapt to healthy living patterns and eat healthy foods for a good digestion, often eating low fiber food and not drinking much of water causes constipation in children can make them uncomfortable and complain of stomach pain.

Chest Congestion: Chest congestion is caused due to presence of liquid and mucus in the lungs which make it difficult for the child to breathe easily. It may cause cough, chest pain, and can be caused by post-nasal drip, bronchitis orpneumonia. Visit the doctor after OCT doesn't work.

Food Poisoning: Food poisoning is often caused due to eating contaminated food or drink causing vomiting, fever, muscle cramps, diarrhea within 48 hours of consuming the food. Prevent your children from eating street food, stale food and food or drink that smells bad and old. Infectious agents include virus,bacteria and parasites.

Take care of your child and inculcate healthy eating habits in him. Common habits like washing the hands, not putting the hands in the mouth, keeping nails clean, wash hands after sneezing etc. Make them eat healthy foods that improve immunity to naturally make the body fight the common illness.

Poor hygiene place kids at greater risk of several infections, thus affect their growth and immune system. Good hygiene will prevent them from falling ill, make them stronger so that they are able to excel in academics, sports and other areas of their interest. Here are some basic hygiene tips for kids to stay healthy:

Hand-washing: Inculcate the habit of washing hands every time they sit to eat their meals and when they come indoors from any kind of outdoor activity. The reason being when kids are outside they touch numerable things and have the habit of putting their hands in their mouth which could pass of germs in the body. Elders should make them understand how washing of hands will keep them healthy.

Nail Cutting: Make your kid cut his nails weekly. The space between grown nails can be a hiding place for bacteria and germs as dirt accumulates between the nails. Keeping nails short and clean will keep them away from the risk of fall ill.

Bathing: Regular washing up is important for kids as they engage in different kinds of games and sports. Such activities lead to excessive sweating and at times dirt stick to their bodies, thus cause itching or even skin infection. It is necessary to keep armpits, feet, hands, neck and ears clean as germs accumulate in such areas and cause of infections.

Oral Hygiene: Teach your kids to brush their teeth at least twice a day to maintain dental health. A clean mouth is odor free and will be free from infections as well. Teach them to gently brush their teeth and not scrub it hard as it will affect the enamel of the teeth. Rinse the mouth after eating to wash away any residue in the mouth.

Hair Hygiene: It is important to maintain hair hygiene as unclean hair could breed lice, dandruff and scalp infection. If kids have long and untidy hair it could distract their concentration and make them uncomfortable. Well cropped and shampooed hair not only improves hygiene as well as perks up physical appearance.

Clean Clothing: The clothes can carry lots of germs as kids move around in different places. Wearing clean clothes will keep them away from germs and also make them look clean. It is also necessary to change their socks, undergarments and other accessories as they might contain harmful germs.

Milk teeth are also known as baby teeth, deciduous teeth, temporary teeth or primary teeth. They are called such because of the fact that they would be replaced with a new set of teeth after few years. They come out at the early stage when the child is growing (between 6-12 months) and have the same function as a permanent teeth and stay for a few years before they fall and get replaced by permanent teeth.

Special attention should be paid to ensure oral hygiene amongst young kids. Habits inculcated in the early years help preventing oral problems later on.

The milk teeth surface a little later after birth but the actual development begins in the embryonic stage. The milk teeth are very important for speech and chewing for food for better health.

To keep the milk teeth strong make your child drinks enough milk as it is rich in calcium. Ensure your child rinses his/her mouth after consuming sweets and especially before going to bed.  Oral hygiene can be started from as early as 6 moths where you can start to gently rub the gums with a sterilized wet towel to ensure no bacteria is settling in the mouth. Once the teeth are out you can graduate to light brushing twice a day. At this stage you may or may not use toothpaste. Ensure that the bristles of the brush are very soft as the gums are still very sensitive at this stage. You can also clean the tongue gently with the brush to avoid bad breath in children.

Appendix is a small finger like organ situated in the lower right side of the abdomen attached to the large intestine. The cul-de-sac in the intestine of the appendix open in the large intestine and when this opening gets blocked the appendix swells which causes pain and can be infected by the bacteria which can have serious health problems. Usually it occurs to children from the age group of 11-20 years of age. Inflammation of the appendix is known as Appendicitis.

The early symptoms of appendicitis are acute pain in the lower abdomen area and sometime vomiting and nausea. Other signs like low grade fever, diarrhea and loss of appetite are often seen. It causes pain during urination. If the appendix is untreated it can burst in the stomach within 24-72 hrs of the symptom. This is a surgical emergency in children which has to be immediately diagnosed to prevent further pain and problem.

If you feel lower abdomen pain for longer and unusual hours followed by some other symptoms then immediately seek a doctor’s help. There are some examinations like urine test, blood test, X-ray of abdomen or a cat scan which may be required before taking the decision to remove the organ or to know the intensity of the infection. If the abdomen has ruptured then the child might be put on antibiotic for a few days before the surgery. Usually the diagnosis involves removal of inflamed appendix.

The disease cannot be prevented but kids with a rich and balanced fiber in their diet are less prone to appendix. Children are highly sensitive and the pain can be unbearable for them. Getting the swollen appendix removed is the best option. The child is not allowed to eat or drink before the operation and if the case is not very complicated then it might take just 2-3 hours for the surgery and 2-3 days of rest.

When there is negative response of the immune system to a food protein it is known as food allergy. Some proteins in the diet are mistakenly assumed as indigestive and harmful thus repelled by the body as allergy to the food. Different children can be allergic to different kinds of food.

The common symptoms shown by kids allergic to certain food after consuming them are colic, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, dark circles, eczema, respiratory problems etc. Some kids can get ill and show serious health problems until the problem is rectified. The allergy can be avoided by not eating the food one is allergic to. The substance to which the immune system responds as allergy is known as allergen.

Only the presence of IgE antibodies in the blood confirms an allergy.  In food intolerance symptoms are mostly confined to gastrointestinal tract. Some food intolerance like lactose intolerance or fructose mal-absorption are not food allergies because the immune system in not involved. Some proteins are resistant to digestion and the ones that are not broken down by digestion are tagged as immunoglobulin E (IgE).

Some food to which kids are often allergic to

Milk: Some kids are allergic to cow’s milk and allergy can be identified at in fact age. Both the protein present in milk like casein and whey can cause allergy in kids. These kids can also be allergic to sheep, goat and buffalo milk. Lactose doesn't cause allergy but can cause lactose intolerance , though major percentage of kids will overgrow the allergy by the age of 5.

Eggs: Egg is another product to which the children can get allergic to. Egg allergy can be both with the yolk and the whites. The protein in eggs can cause allergy but will be out grown by children by the age of 5.

Soy: The allergy caused by soy is not very fatal but many kids are allergic to soy. Soy is a common food allergy and can happen to people allergic to milk. Soy protein is one of the best plant based protein source  but can cause allergy to some people though the allergy can be overcome by the age of 5.

Wheat: Wheat is also one product which causes allergy in children. The allergy can be outgrown at an early age. Though a child is allergic to wheat it is not necessary that they would be allergic to other cereal grain.

Peanuts: Peanuts allergy in not only with kids but can be with adults also. It is one of the most common allergy found in people and can be serious to a kids health too. Peanut allergy can cause life threatening allergy reaction, particularly children with asthma. One allergic to peanuts must be alert and should carry the medicines in case of consumption.

Sea foods: Seafood’s like fish and shell fish both can cause allergy. The reaction to seafood can be highly threatening. The allergy to these food products is seen more with adults but it can be overgrown. If a person is allergic to one fish can be allergic to other fishes and shell fish as well.

Kids love food and snacks and appreciate something that suits their taste buds. Kids are growing everyday and for their healthy growth a proper diet is required throughout the day to make up for all the nutrition required. Kids are also active with high metabolism but with a small appetite therefore they feel hungry more often.

 Physical and mental development of a child depends to a large extent on the nutrition they get. Children with poor dietary habits either are poor eaters or eat much junk which is loaded with empty calories, saturated or trans-fat and lack sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals essential for the healthy development of the body. Unhealthy diet is directly related to obesity and disturbed attention especially amongst children. Besides, obesity children with faulty dietary habits might have lowered levels of immunity making them prone to sickness all the time.

 Kids these days are extremely influenced by advertisements, friends that eat a lot of junk food, and foods that are attractively packaged. While preparing snack for kids it is important to adhere to the above factors that influence kids’ snacks to feed them well. Presentation and flavor is key while you ensure that your child gets its daily nutrition intake without creating a fuss.

School going children usually have a breakfast before they leave for school, carry lunch with them that is eaten during the break and by the time they come home they are ready to eat some food or snacks depending on the time their school gets over. Here are some healthy options for after school snacks that are not only nutritious but also tasty:

Dhokla: Dhokla is a popular snack which is nutritious and filling. Dhokla also taste nice and is low in calories. Dhokla can be prepared at home and can be enjoyed eaten plain or with some condiment.

Cholle Toast: Cholle is the boiled bengal gram mixed with vegetables like onion, tomato, cucumber, green chilly and spices like turmeric, garam masala, chilly powder salt and some lemon juice along with corriander to garnish. It is eaten with kulcha which is a bread but can be substituted with multigrain bread for fiber. It is nutritious, tasty and is liked by kids.

Fruit Salad: Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals and are colourful for appeal and taste nice. Fruits salads make a good snack option. You can toss few fruits together with some salt and pepper or at times with some cream to excite the kids. Fruits are low in calories and are liked by kids.

Sprout Salad: Not just sprout salad but you could use Bengal gram, black gram etc in your salad along with tomatoes, cucumber, boiled potatoes, lemon juice, peas etc. You could add cottage cheese or just lean meat or even an egg in the salad for a delight full snack option.

Veggie Multi grain Sandwich: Sandwich’s are liked by all the kids. Get in your culinary skills and mix up ingredients in the sandwich. Chicken sandwich, cottage cheese, vegetables, peanut butter, eggs, cheese etc are choices for the filling in the sandwich.

It is important to take care of the nutrition intake along with the food options. Give a wide range of choices over days so it helps the kid in developing taste for other food options.

Kids can pick up any habit good or bad quickly by themselves or by watching their parents around. Kids are innocent and might not be able to distinguish between a good or bad habit as they have not much of reasoning skills and might not understand the repercussions of their actions.

Sometimes lack of knowledge can make the child do the same things again and again but with direction and patience they can be easily overcome.

 But some habits stay with the kid which needs to be stopped. Some such unhealthy habits are

Nail Biting: This habit is a signal of latent insecurity in children that may transform into other behavioral issues later on in life.  Nail biting can cause stomach infections due to the dirt and germs hidden under the nails that go through the mouth in the stomach. Cut the nails regularly to avoid biting them, when the child gets nothing to chew he will get over it or rub his nails in something bitter that might discourage him to bite the nails.

Nose Picking: Often overlooked but digging nose is considered a "nervous habit" especially amongst children. The main psychological pattern underlying this habit is that when kids feel anxious they start picking their nose, they do it when they don’t feel something is right. Do not scold your child for the bad habit as sometimes scolding may also further increase the child's level of stress, causing the child to repeat his habit more than actually stopping it. These habits don’t always reflect psychological problems. Sometimes kids also pick their nose due to discomfort or congestion.

Thumb Sucking: Some kids get used to keeping something in their mouth all the time and it usually ends with sucking their thumbs when they get nothing. Thumb sucking could cause passing of germs and dirt in the mouth through the thumb. This also leads to protruding of teeth which may require dental assistance as it looks bad.

Hair Twirling: Some kids keep playing with their hair and twirling it. This is not a good habit and is a sign of care free attitude and doesn't look nice. Also kids’ hair follicles are sensitive and too much twirling can cause hair loss.

Lazing Around:  Kids should be active and should be learning or participating in recreational activities to expand their mind and knowledge. Lazing around is not a good habit as it might make the child to sit back than doing anything. Also kids who just watch television or video games all the time makes them interested in it only and refrain from getting into other activities which can affect their learning process.

Don't scold your child or hit him as this can have a negative impact on them. Teach your child why it is bad and make him show the good side of what should actually be done. Go easy and help your child in getting over the bad habit.

In this growing competitive environment everyone needs to be smarter and stand out to be successful. Developing the mind and making it sharper makes you more adaptable and you learn fast. Start with reasoning and putting the right logic to understand things even if difficult in the beginning but overtime it can be achieved.

Some kids have the natural ability to understand things and put logic to them but some kids may be dyslexic or have undeveloped learning skills or non sharp mind which puts them behind. Doing mind activities and playing mind games can make your mind sharper, smarter and improves memory and adaptability.

Games to improve mind power

Meditation: Meditation is concentrating upon something and  getting good vibes from it. Just take out 10 minutes from your schedule and drop every thought in your mind setting it free and just concentrate upon one thing with all your energy. Meditation makes you calm and silent. It helps you understand things better with improved concentration and builds memory and keeps out the stress and other disturbing elements.

Word Puzzle: Language is important and to be expressive one needs to have a strong vocabulary. Word puzzle keeps your mind guessing and improves logic. It increases your vocabulary and improves your language. It is challenging for the mind but slowly its benefits are much more.

Scrabble: It is another game for word formation and can be played in a group. It improves your memory and analytical skills. It challenges you to form words from the given options which can be difficult and challenging. You can play with a topic to improve your skills.

Sudoku: This number game requires lots of logic, thinking, analysis, errors and reasoning. It requires you to fill in the numbers horizontally and vertically without repeating any numbers. It is tough but makes your mind sharper and increases IQ levels. It requires lots of right guessing.

Chess: To make chess game interesting comes with experience and how sharp your mind is becoming to defeat the other person. Chess requires playing with lots of analysis, logic and presuming different options that the opponent might take. It requires continuous usage of the mind and also requires making choices. For example, to save the king one might have to lose the horse or elephant.

Keeping the mind involved into some activity or the other is important to develop the mind as empty mind is a devil's workshop. Use visuals and audios to understand things better and remember it too. Do group discussions and fun activities to keep your mind active.

Pre-schoolers are kids from the age group of 1-5 before they enter into their obligatory schooling. Children at this tender age are especially demanding, curious and temperamental. First few years of a child are their formative years and are critical for healthy emotional and physical development of the child.

Kids at this age also appear to know everything but unfortunately they don’t. This is the time they learn to eat food on their own, are toilet trained, learn to color, read, and play with their peers. Basically it is their first step towards being independent as they learn how to communicate, express and take responsibility for their actions, under still a very protected environment.

Every child is different and requires individual attention. Here are some basic guidelines on getting started while taking care of a pre-school child:

 Tips to handle pre-schoolers

Understanding the child: Understanding the child individually is important as every child maybe a little different from others and have a different temperament altogether. See how the child works and see what can keep him going or to what things does  she/he listen to you. Once you understand their temperament reacting to them becomes easy and provides a solution on the possible ways to handle the kid.

Keep Cool: Kids can annoy you so much that it can stress you and make you react in a panic mode. Keep your calm as if you can't be calm you would probably not be able handle your kid and thus the kid wouldn't budge to change. Be calm when it comes to handling kids.

Don't be physical: Sometimes the kids can breach their limits often which can take you by surprise. Don't be physical with them as they could be scared and be impacted in a negative way for the rest of their lives. Also it could make them more fearless at times and not respect you. So spanking them sometimes, holding their ears are better options than canning them or slapping them.

Keep  negativity out: Don't label your kid as bad, angry, aggressive, short tempered, naughty, bad or something which might affect the kid psychologically and the kid might tag himself or herself with these words sub-consciously. Kids are at a learning phase and answering them gently and lovingly would make them smarter and more understanding.

Find common traits: Find something which the kid likes and adopt that trait in yourself so that the kid finds a reason to be friendlier to you. Keep a playful and healthy relationship so that the kid while learning also learns to respect you and look up to you.

Nutritionfor kids for growth is vital as the kids are growing the body needs to besupported with proper nutrition and diet to sustain their growth. Kids havehigh nutritional needs but have a small appetite so the nutrition has to bebalanced in a manner that with whatever they eat they fulfill their nutritionalrequirement. Some foods are high in multiple nutrients and fill their dailybasic nutritional requirement.

Thefoods eaten during childhood for growth can influence their future eatinghabits and health conditions. Though kids don't understand what’s healthy forthem or and what is not as they are just interested if the food taste'snice or not and lastly that it fills their stomachs. Junk and otherfoods which don’t fall in the healthy food options cannot provide withessential nutrients for growth thus are called as empty calories.

Notevery food can provide the body with all kinds of nutrition so make sure youtreat your kid with a wide variety of food options. Don't restrict your childwith healthy foods but refrain from the unhealthy food. Below are some healthyfood options for better growth.

Milk: Be it mother's milk,cow milk or buffalo milk all are equally nutritious. Milk has many essentialvitamins and minerals for growth. Calcium is high in milk products whichpromotes better bone growth. Milk is high in protein which helps better andstronger formation of muscles. Weak bones at a young age can cause troublelater in life.

Green Vegetables: As no product is acomplete food so it is vital to eat a range of foods for better growth. Greenleafy vegetables are low in calories and highly rich in many important vitaminsand minerals. Iron is important for growth and better metabolism which can bemet through eating green vegetables. Green vegetables are high in fiber andbenefit in many functions of the body.

Fruits: Fruits are again rich invitamins and minerals. Different fruits are rich in different micro nutrientsand thus a range of fruits can be eaten which taste nice and are colorful andattracts children. A fruit everyday will help the kids grow properly.Fruits are low in calories, high in fiber required for digestion and provide energyto our body.

Chicken: Chicken meat is a leansource of protein and is healthy for kids’ growth as it helps in tissue repairand better growth of the muscles and body. Remove the fat from the chicken asit will provide more of protein and less of fat.

Eggs: Egg has a wide varietyof nutrition present in it. Egg has the highest quantity of nutrition presentin it. Besides protein, the egg yolk also contains vitamin b12, which isnecessary for fat breakdown and muscle development. Other minerals includeriboflavin, folate, vitamins B6, D, and E, and iron, phosphorus, and zinc.

Almonds: Almonds contain healthyfats and help in lowering bad cholesterol. Almonds contain protein and alsocontain calcium, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Potassium, Magnesium, and last but notthe least, antioxidants. You can eat almonds raw, roasted, or chop them up tossthem into dessert or yogurt.

Walnuts: Walnuts provide thebody with omega fatty acids which is important for brain development. They haverelatively high level of protein and fat, they are filling, so a small amountwill go a long way. Good levels of zinc, iron, calcium and selenium can also befound in walnut. Almonds are highly beneficial and reduce the risk of manydiseases.

Kidsrequire a lot of energy for daily functions as well. So eat lots of potatoes,rice and foods that provide quick energy. Avoid excess fat in the form ofprocessed foods in their diet as it can lead to obesity in future making yourchild prone to lifestyle diseases at a very early stage.

We have heard about the importance of healthy nutrition for our kids and how to keep them healthy. Massages for toddlers have been an age old phenomenon especially in the Indian culture.  According to our culture infant massage helps babies to grow and develop. This has also been supported by research done in the area of touch and its connection to proper growth. Touch stimulates the growth-promoting hormones and increases the enzymes that make the cells of the vital organs. Besides massage boosts blood circulation and growth of the bones and muscles in toddlers. Massage also helps in strengthening the child's framework for better growth.

 TODDLERS' massage is a holistic approach to their health and child rearing. This kind of massage combines the tender touch of a nurturer with specific Baby Massage Therapy movements and techniques designed to improve the health of any child from infants to toddlers and beyond.

 Massage also aid in stimulating the immune system for the body to find alternate treatment to its need other than by drugs and medicine. Below are some health benefits of massaging kids and infants.

Improves circulation

Enhances senses

Reduces stress

Improves digestion

Enhances the immune system

Enhances physical and psychological development

Helps sleep pattern

Helps to increase oxygen flow

Removes toxins

Helps develop muscle tone

Aids pain relief from many baby maladies

In India massaging the infants has been customary in all regions and is done by professional women. These women are not trained under any institute but they learn the art of massaging the child with hers peers and experience. These massagers stay with the kid throughout the day and take care of other things of the child as well.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that swells and narrowsthe airways rendering it difficult to breath. This results in recurringperiods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and chroniccoughing that usually occurs early mornings or at night.

Symptoms of asthma can vary from mild to severe, intermittent tochronic. That’s why it is critical to note that even if the symptoms are mildone should not ignore them as they can lead to severe  respiratory distress.

Asthma is generally triggered due to allergic and non-allergic reactionto things in the environment. Some of the allergy related triggers are dustmites, pollen, food etc, while the non-allergic triggers are exercise, viralinfections, smoke or other irritants.

When individuals who are allergic come into contact with an allergen (inthe case of an allergic trigger) to which their immune system then responds byreleasing several chemicals including histamines, causing sneezing, runnynoses, watery eyes and broncho-constriction. This is the way the body attemptsto naturally expel the harmful allergen/s in the form of these symptoms. Histamine is one of the chemical substancesresponsible for the uncomfortable symptoms associated with allergies. It alsoplays an important role in the body's normal immune response. Histamines haveseveral effects, one of which is to cause bronchial smooth muscles to contractwhich in turn,  make exhaling moredifficult. In a child with asthma, histamine can also trigger asthmasymptoms. 

Here are a few tips to avoid allergic that may trigger asthma inchildren:

Dust Mites:House dust mites are microscopic bugs that primarily live on dead skin cells thatregularly shed from humans and their animal pets. Dust mites are generallyharmless to most people as they don't carry diseases, but they can causeallergic reactions in asthmatics. Since dust mites may trigger allergy orasthma symptoms, reducing contact with these substances early in life may delayor prevent allergy or asthma symptoms.

Tobacco Smoke:Smoking during pregnancy increases the chance of your child wheezing duringinfancy. Exposing children to second hand smoke has also been shown to increasethe development of asthma and other chronic respiratory illnesses. Therefore itis very important not to expose your children to tobacco smoke before or afterbirth.

Benefits of Breast-Feeding:Infections that start in the lungs are common triggers of asthma. Sincebreast-feeding for at least four to six months strengthens a child's immunesystems makes the lungs stronger and therefore is helpful in avoiding asthma inthe long run.

Ifyou believe your child may have allergies or asthma, it is important to seekthe right medical help. An allergist / immunologist, often referred to as anallergist, is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, asthmaand other diseases of the immune system. 

New moms are often confused between traditional cloth diapers or conventional disposable diapers. The debate between which type of diaper is best has never been an easy question to answer. 

Below are the features that will help moms in making a right selection:

 -          Skin Care and Health Concerns:

Rashes in the diaper area can be caused due to prolonged wetness, lack of air circulation, ammonia formed by bacteria that interacts with urine and the growth of microbes. Disposable diapers have an inner liner that keep wetness away from the skin, keeping the baby drier and less susceptible to irritation. Caution is to select a diaper approved by FDA to prevent any allergy arising from dyes.

         -           Economical:

 Using disposable baby diapers is more expensive than laundering cloth baby diapers at home.  However, the more cleaning and sanitizing that is performed for each load of diapers does also increase the cost.

  -          Comfort:

Cloth diapers tend to give lesser rashes than disposable diapers as it is difficult to tell how wet a diaper is and babies generally tend to sit on damp diaper for  longer period of times. Advantage with cloth diapers is that you can make out how wet the diaper is and in minutes after baby has peed.

  -          Cleaning and disposal: 

Wet disposable baby diapers should be folded in on themselves and disposed of in your trash.

  -          Convenience:

Disposable baby diapers are easy to use as can be fastened with tape or Velcro strips attached to the back panel that fasten in the front. Also, the use and throw property of disposable diapers makes it more convenient while travelling as dirty diapers need not be carried around for washing. 

Though cloth diapers offer more comfort and fewer rashes but disposable diapers are more convenient and comfortable.

When a child talks in his sleep, parents usually find it amusing and will even try to talk to the child and have him talk back. But when he sleepwalks, parents sometimes do not know what to do, because they think the child is awake but is indeed asleep! What is this strange sleeping disorder all about and how does a person deal with it?

Sleepwalking, known scientifically as somnambulism, is a sleep disorder in which the sleeping person walks or does other things while in the state of sleep. They actually do these things with their eyes open, allowing them to navigate through the surroundings. Although the common parody in cartoons of a sleepwalker is a person walking like a zombie with their arms outstretched and eyes closed, the reality is that the sleepwalker will actually have his eyes open.

About 18% of the population suffers from sleepwalking, and it is evidently more common among children than in adults. In terms of gender, boys have a greater tendency to sleepwalk compared to girls. Studies show that the greatest prevalence of sleepwalking, at 16.7%, happens between the ages of 11 and 12. Studies also indicate a possible hereditary link.

Sometimes, sleepwalking can be caused by underlying medical conditions. These include restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, seizures, or gastro esophageal reflux. In such cases, the condition needs to be treated. Otherwise, most medical experts write off sleepwalking as something ordinary and only advise to make sure the sleepwalker does not injure himself.

While sleepwalking in itself is not harmful, it can prove to be dangerous at some points: this is because a child who sleepwalks is not awake and likely does not realize what he is doing. He may walk down the stairs or, in rare cases, jump through an open window! In this case, sleepwalking becomes hazardous. Also, the sleepwalker will not remember what he did when the morning comes. Fortunately, most sleepwalkers do not have episodes every night, and instead only experience it infrequently.

So how does one deal with a child who sleepwalks? When you see your child sleepwalking, there is no need to panic or awaken him; this might frighten the child. What you can do is to guide him gently back to bed.

Is sleepwalking a sign of an underlying psychiatric problem? As far as studies show, sleepwalking is not a sign of any underlying emotional issue; it is also not seen to lead to any serious emotional problem. Sleepwalkers typically go back to bed by themselves and will have no recollection of the night time stroll. In adults, though, experts speculate that anxiety and stress have to do with causing the sleepwalking. In children, it is crucial that the parents handle the situation with care, as some may feel shame, humiliation, guilt, or confusion when they get told about how they sleepwalk.

Treatment for sleepwalking is typically reserved for sleep specialist at accredited centers for sleep disorders. But as far as what a family can do on their own, experts recommend getting enough rest; tiredness can reportedly trigger sleepwalking. A calming ritual for bedtime helps in reducing episodes, as do relaxation exercises as stress is also a trigger. Also, getting enough sleep makes sure the sleep-wake cycle is improved, also reducing the chances of sleepwalking. A full bladder caused by intake of fluids just before bedtime may also result in such kind of an episode. If you have a family member who sleepwalks, make sure that his bedroom is in the ground floor to avoid the risk of falling down the stairs in his sleep; also store away sharp objects. Be sure to keep the doors and windows locked as well; safety gates may also be a helpful addition to the child’s room or at the top of stairs.

Some doctors recommend a small dose of benzodiazepines. However, each case is different and should be consulted with the person’s doctor before any medication is taken.

In summary, sleepwalking may be a condition that is difficult for people to understand. But as you take the necessary precautions, you can make sure that you keep your child safe and protected from unforeseen falls, as most sleepwalkers outgrow the condition by the time they reach the adolescent stage.

There are more choices than ever when it comes to baby food. What you choose to feed your baby depends on numerous factors including what food your baby prefers, what it needs in terms of nutrients, and the age of your child. Ultimately, it is up to each parent to decide what is best for their baby and family.

Development

Babies at different ages require different types of foods. Generally, the youngest babies eat stage 1 foods that are cereal-based or fruit and vegetable purees. These foods have been entirely liquefied.  Stage 2 foods have a thicker, less watery consistency, while stage 3 foods generally contain soft solids. Babies slowly progress from stage 1 to 3 as they grow and develop.

Ingredients

While many parents are adopting organic foods that may be healthier for a child’s development, the most important things to keep in mind is not just the production, but the content of food. Babies should be exposed to fruits and vegetables as much as possible, rather than baby foods that use filler ingredients. Generally, the less processed a food is, the better it is for your child. It is important to introduce new flavors one by one to make sure that there are no negative reactions or allergies associated with a specific ingredient. It is also recommended that you serve the same food consecutively for four days in a row to ensure that a food is absolutely safe for a baby to eat.

Storing Baby Food

Baby foods can be kept for long before they are opened. Go by the date on the package to make sure the food is fresh. Once a jar of baby food has been opened, it is best if the food is consumed within a day of opening. If you plan on saving baby food after it has been opened, use a separate spoon to feed your baby and serve the food. This will ensure that bacteria from your baby’s mouth do not contaminate the food you save for later.

Making Your Own Baby Food

Many parents have begun to make their own baby food, either to save money or because they believe it is healthier for their child. If you plan on making your own baby food, make sure to research any food you plan to prepare. There are numerous sites available that detail the best and healthiest ways to prepare food for your child. After you decide on a food, consult your pediatrician. Never feed your baby a home-made baby food without being absolutely sure that both the ingredients and method for preparation are healthy for the child. One of the main advantages of making your own baby food is that you control each and every ingredient being served to your child. This can ensure that the baby is getting only the best ingredients in their food.

Organic Baby Food

One benefit of making your own baby food is to ensure that the food is of high quality and is organic. However, there are also many options of pre-made organic food available at health food stores. While organic food may indeed be healthier, the Environmental Protection Agency monitors the production of baby food closely.

For starters, "the computer, TV, and video games should be in a public place if that's possible," says Richard Gallagher, PhD, director of special projects at the Institute for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity and Behavior Disorders and assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at New York University Medical Center.

Regardless of equipment location, you should establish an Internet policy and TV rules to lay the groundwork for safe and healthy plugged-in time.

Gallagher says parents should limit the amount of time spent on passive entertainment such as videos, Internet surfing, and TV:

·         High school kids should be limited to two to three hours per day.

·         Grade-school children should be limited to one hour a day.

These limits don't apply to interactive educational videos or Internet use for school work.

TV Rules and Regulations

When it comes to television supervision, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests becoming familiar with TV ratings so that you can choose which programs are right for your children as part of your child's TV rules. You can also buy a V-chip, a device that can block programming you don't want kids should be exposed to. Here are some additional TV rules you may want to consider:

·         Be a role model by limiting your own time in front of the tube and picking shows that set a positive example.

·         Opt out of watching TV if nothing good is on the program schedule. Suggest other activities such as a sport or doing an art project together.

·         Use a program guide to plan what your children watch rather than just aimlessly channel surfing.

·         Watch along with your kids and talk about the shows and even the commercials. It's an open door to discuss issues about morality, real-world topics, and the underlying purpose of ads, including how they can be misleading. If you see something offensive, tell your kids why you're switching the channel.

An Internet Policy That Works

A whole world of information and entertainment awaits your child on the Internet. From e-mail to Web surfing, children have access to huge amount of content, ranging from good to bad, harmless to inappropriate, even dangerous. For young children, the New York University Child Study Center recommends sitting with them while they're online. Teach them about safety and privacy as part of a family Internet policy.

For older kids, here are few tips for an Internet policy that works:

·         Talk about copyright laws and why it's wrong to copy certain materials from the Internet.

·         Discuss online activities with your kids just like any other activity, including exactly which sites they visit.

·         Don't be shy about looking at your child's e-mail to make sure they stay clear of trouble.

·         Don't delay: Discuss pornography vs. healthy sexuality with teens.

·         Make up a dummy e-mail address that your child can give out online if prompted to protect her real address from junk and intruders.

·         Periodically check out your child's instant messaging contact lists to make sure you're familiar with everyone on it.

·         Point out that anything they post online will be there for years and anyone can view it.

·         Start a family Web site and allow your children to help. It can include just about anything you can dream  about and link it to family and friends.

·         Warn them of viruses and spyware to avoid computer infections; arm your computers with reliable protection software.

Video Games in Check

One important reason for limiting the amount of time children spend playing video games is the increase in childhood obesity. The New York University Child Study Center suggests that, just as you might monitor their junk food intake, consider the same for videos and call it an entertainment diet.

Also, try choosing games that reduce isolation by involving two or more players. One way to incorporate more physical activity is to choose games that require playing along with musical instruments or dance pads that have your kids get up to boogie. Then see if they'll let you join in!

Finally, be cautious of online games. New York University reports they can be addictive, plus many have live chat rooms and you should invoke such safety precautions as never giving out personal details that might be seen by predators.

Weekends Only: One Family's Approach

Another tip you might want to consider when it comes to TV rules, Internet policy, and video games is to limit screen time to weekends. "The rule in our family is no video games on weeknights and no TV unless there's a particular show on it that we all like to watch, like American Idol," says Jeanne Accetta, a mom of three kids, ages 8, 11, and 14, in Brooklyn, N.Y. "And computer use is only for schoolwork during the week, or quickly AIMing with friends."

Establishing an Internet policy and TV rules, and choosing video games wisely will help your child to develop a positive appreciation for these types of entertainment and information, while staying safe online and off.

Kids like other adults are at the same risk of developing dental problems like cavities, periodontal, gingivitis, tooth ache, bad breath if they don't take care of their oral hygiene. Personal hygiene and dental hygiene should be onevery persons daily routine. Kids must learn the importance of dental hygieneas it has to be managed by them and no one else. Good habits are very difficultto establish but if inculcated at a young age they go a long way with you.

Keeping care of dental hygiene doesn't mean that the kids learn to brush after every meal but make a set pattern and follow it consistently. To help kids keep their oral hygiene better and clean here are some tips.

Tipsfor good dental care

Brush: Brush first thing in the morning and just before bed time. Brushing will help in removing the stuck food particles,stains on the teeth and in-between them. Tell the kids to brush gently as doing it hard can cause gum bleeding and damage the enamel.

Flossing: Flossing helps in cleaning the teeth from between where the brush cannot reach. Lots of small minute particles get stuck here which can decompose to feed the bacteria. Teach the kids to flossfor themselves and flossing once a day will be sufficient.

Dental Check up: Kids avoid it but visiting a dentist every three months is important as teeth problems have not much symptoms and if they go ignored they can cause dental problems. Prevention is better than cure,Its wise to identify and take care of the problem before it spreads and becomes critical.

HandlingPlaque: One needs to remove plaque, the transparent layer that surround the teeth. To avoid cavities and tooth break down by bacteria one must remove plaque by brushing teeth and flossing regularly. When plaque hardens it forms in to tartar which is difficult to remove and causes oral infection.

Sugar: Avoid sugary foods as sugar is the biggest cause of tooth decay. Eating sugary foods and sweetened soda exposes the teeth to acids which wash away the enamel which is the outer most covering of the teeth. Rinse your teeth after eating sugary foods or brush after half an hour. Avoid eating sugary foods before going to bed.

Tongue: Tongue can be a indicator of your overall health. Scrap your tongue with a cleaner and keep your tongue clean as it can cause bad breath and boost bacteria growth in the mouth.

Drink lots of water throughout as it will clean the mouth and increase saliva in the mouth to wash down the toxins.

We all want to teach our children good health habits, but that can sometimes be easier said than done. But nutrition is only half the equation; it’s also important to teach kids to be physically active to keep them from gaining unhealthy weight and allow them to burn off extra energy and stay calm.

Fitness doesn’t have to be fancy

With today’s fitness boom, parents can sometimes get caught up in thinking that fitness has to be fancy. This causes them to worry about trying to find the “best” exercises for children and determining how long they should maintain that exercise. But children don’t have to run on a treadmill or swim for a mile to get the exercise they need. As has always been the case, the best forms of exercise for children come through normal play.

With the lure of inside activities like DVDs and video games, however, kids today may resist a healthy level of play. The activities that seemed so normal to us when we were children may have to be “programmed in” to this generation. If that’s the case with your children, try something as simple as taking them outdoors and letting them run around. If they’re not enthused about playing outdoors, go out and play with them. Games like kick ball or tag are great ways to get started, and will allow you to participate in a natural way. Trips to the park can also encourage outdoor physical activity, because your children may be more likely to be active when there are other kids around or there’s equipment for them to play on.

Sign ‘em up

Organized activities are also effective means to bring more activity to your children’s lives. Sign them up for baseball, football, dance, gymnastics, or any other activity they enjoy. This is good for them both physically and socially, because they get to burn energy while they work on building friendships and learn sportsmanship — all of which will help them throughout their entire lives. Just make sure that they actually want to do the activities, and that their participation doesn’t wear you down in the process. Driving kids from one extracurricular activity to another, week after week, can get difficult over the long haul. If possible, arrange for carpooling before you sign your kids up for activities, so you won’t have to give up due to exhaustion and cause disappointment.

Walkabout

Another good method for sneaking in much-needed exercise for your kids (and you!) is to take daily walks. But they don’t have to be just any old walks. Make them more interesting by bringing a digital camera to capture sites along the way, or just point out and discuss   interesting plant-life, birds or bugs. You can even read about nature at home and then look for real-life examples as you walk. If you make these walks into routine family outings, you’ll build deeper relationships while instilling habits that will last a lifetime.

Nutrition for kids for growth is vital as the kids are growing the body needs to be supported with proper nutrition and diet to sustain this growth. Kids have high nutritional needs but have a small appetite so the nutrition has to be balanced in a manner that with whatever they eat they fulfill their nutritional requirement. Some foods are high in many nutrition and fill the daily basic requirement.

The foods eaten during childhood for growth can influence their future eating habits and health conditions. Though kids don't understand what’s healthy for them or not as they are just interested in if the food taste's nice or not and lastly that they fill their stomachs. Junk and other foods which don’t fall in the healthy food options cannot provide with essential nutrients for growth thus are called as empty calories.

Not every food can provide the body with all kinds of nutrition so make sure you treat your kid with a wide variety of food options. Don't restrict your child with healthy foods but refrain  from the unhealthy food. Below are some healthy food options for better growth.

Milk: Be it mother's milk, cow milk or buffalo milk but it is equally nutritious. Milk has many essential vitamins and minerals for growth. Calcium is high in milk products which promotes better bone growth. Milk is high in protein which helps better and stronger formation of muscles. Weak bones at a young age can cause trouble later in life.

Green Vegetables: As no product is a complete food so it is vital to eat a range of foods for better growth. Green leafy vegetables are low in calories and highly rich in many important vitamin and minerals. Iron is important for growth and better metabolism which can be met through eating green vegetables. Green vegetables are high in fiber and benefit in many function of the body.

Fruits: Fruits are again rich in vitamins and mineral. Different fruits are rich in different micro nutrients and thus a range of fruits can be eaten which taste nice and are colorful and attracts children. A fruit everyday will help the kids grow properly. Fruits are low in calories, high fiber for digestion  and energy to our body.

Chicken: Chicken meat is a lean source of protein and healthy for kids growth as it helps in tissue repair and better growth of the muscles and body. Remove the fat from the chicken as it will provide protein and less of fat.

Eggs: Egg has a wide variety of nutrition present in it. Egg has the highest quality nutrition present in it. Besides protein, the egg yolk also contain vitamin b12, which is necessary for fat breakdown and muscle development. Other minerals include riboflavin, folate, vitamins B6, D, and E, and iron, phosphorus, and zinc.

Almonds: Almonds contain healthy fats and help in lowering bad cholesterol. Almonds contain protein and also contain also contain calcium, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Potassium, Magnesium, and last but not the least, antioxidants. You can eat almonds raw, roasted, or chop them up toss them into dessert or yogurt.

Walnuts: Walnuts provide the body with omega fatty acids which is important for brain development. They have relatively high level of protein and fat, they are filling, so a small amount will go a long way. Good levels of zinc, iron, calcium and selenium can also be found in walnut. Almonds are highly beneficial and reduce the risk of many diseases.

Kids require a lot of energy for daily functions as well. So eat lots of potatoes, rice and foods that provide quick energy. Avoid excess fat in the form of processed foods in their diet as it can lead to obesity in future making your child prone to lifestyle diseases at an very early stage.

Ideas for Energy Dense Snacks for Kids

Raw Vegetables and Dip - vegetables are inexpensive, low in calories, high in vitamins and minerals and high in fiber. They make great snack foods, especially for kids that are overweight. Try putting out an attractive platter of baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, broccoli pieces, cauliflower and any other vegetables your children enjoy.  

Dried Fruit - is high in calories and good for high energy kids. Limit this type of snack for overweight children due to the high calorie content. Watch out for preservatives, as some dried fruit is preserved with sulfites. Sulfites have been implicated in a number of prevalent, adverse childhood health conditions such as attention deficit disorder and asthma.

Cheese - Many kids enjoy cheese stick snacks. There is also something about being able to make there own snacks with toothpicks that is fun for kids. I used to lay out an assortment of ingredients like crackers, small cheese slices, olives, pimientos, etc. and some tooth picks and let my kids assemble their own snacks on a toothpick skewer.

Eggs - Hard boiled eggs make a good high protein snack. Young children often have fun peeling eggs. Make sure you get them to eat some of the yolks, too, as that is where much of the nutrition is contained.

Yogurt - Look for yogurt with active cultures for a dose of helpful bacteria along with your yogurt. Avoid yogurts that are high in sugar. A cheaper and healthier alternative to sugar added yogurt is to buy a large container of plain yogurt and then make your own "fruit at the bottom" type using jams made with real fruit and no added sugar.

 10 Ways to Protect Your Teen Texter

Texting provides a private, instantaneous, almost limitless way for teens to talk to each other. It’s up to you, the parent, to make sure your teen is using this powerful piece of technology in an appropriate and safe way. Here are some ways to do just that:

1. Set the ground rules. Before you give your child a cell phone, talk about your expectations. If you don’t want texting during dinner or if 100 texts a day is too many, let her know. If your rules get broken, explain the consequences. Consider taking the phone away.

2. Put the brakes on texting while driving. Texting behind the wheel is so dangerous that many states are banning the practice. The National Safety Council estimates that at least 1.6 million car crashes are caused by cell phone use and texting each year. According to the Pew survey, 26 percent of American teens ages 16 and 17 admit to texting while driving.

Before you hand over the car keys, explain that driving requires your teen’s full attention — make the car a “text-free” zone. Tell your teen only to use the phone when safely parked. If your kids don’t listen, there’s an application for that. Called “textecution,” it disables texting if the phone is moving more than 10 miles an hour.

3. Avoid texting while walking, too. The American College of Emergency Physicians reports an increase in pedestrian injuries related to texting. People are taking sudden falls, walking into objects, and carelessly crossing streets while engrossed in text messaging. Explain that texting while walking into a dark parking garage, or any situation that calls for you to be on your guard, invites danger.

4. Explain the dangers of sexting. Text messaging sexually explicit or naked pictures of herself or another child can have a lifelong impact on your teen. In the short term, she can get suspended or expelled from school and even be prosecuted under child pornography laws.

Talk to your child about sexting in an age-appropriate way. Tell your teens to never text a picture of themselves that they wouldn’t want their whole school (and beyond) to see. Once you hit “send,” the receiver can forward it to anyone and everyone they want. If your child receives a racy photo of someone else, tell him not to forward it. Not only could it humiliate that person, your child also could get into trouble.

5. Watch out for cyber-bullies. The speed and efficiency of texting provides another cruel way for bullies to harass other teens … 24 hours a day. According to the Pew survey, more than a quarter of kids said they were bullied or harassed through texts or calls. If your child is being bullied, tell her not to respond to the text messages; it will only encourage the bully. You might have to change her number if it continues. On the flip side, tell your teen not to hide behind texting. If he wouldn’t say what’s on his mind to someone’s face, he shouldn’t text it.