Doctors say that when choosing food for children, the main factor should not be the usefulness of the food, but its harmlessness. The question is whether the traditionally "children's" cocoa drink can be considered harmless.
Instructions
Step 1
Due to the peculiarities of making cocoa powder and milk, which is added to it, there is very little caffeine in the final drink. Unfortunately, cocoa contains a substance called theobromine, which is identical in action to caffeine. So, you should not abuse this drink when drawing up a children's menu. In reasonable doses, however, it will not harm the child.
Step 2
In the composition of brewed cocoa there are two rather strong allergens - cocoa and milk, which makes it an unsuitable drink for children with allergies. Therefore, if your child has a tendency to allergic reactions, introduce cocoa into the diet as late as possible.
Step 3
It should be noted that cocoa brewed in milk with added sugar is a product with a very high calorie content. It should not be given to children with a tendency to overweight or hyperactive toddlers. Of course, you can try to make cocoa practically without sugar and on water, but such a drink will hardly seem tasty to a child.
Step 4
However, cocoa has more than just negative properties. It is not for nothing that it is considered a very healthy drink, since it contains fiber, protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, folic acid and calcium. Cocoa is a wonderful stimulator of gastric juices, improving appetite, so this drink can make life easier for parents of babies and children prone to anemia and underweight.
Step 5
It must be said that the calorie content of cocoa can be considered a positive quality when it comes to schoolchildren, whom this drink helps to recuperate after school.
Step 6
Cocoa contains serotonin and phenylephylanine, which are true natural antidepressants and are great for lifting your mood.
Step 7
Depending on the child's health, whether or not he has allergic reactions, cocoa can be included in his diet after two or even three years. At the same time, cocoa should not be present on the menu every day, two or three times a week is enough.
Step 8
Younger schoolchildren are advised to drink cocoa daily, and for breakfast. So it will bring more benefits to growing organisms. Cocoa, by the way, is a great way to give a child milk, which many children refuse.
Step 9
When choosing cocoa, always pay attention to the composition. A good cocoa powder should contain exclusively ground cocoa pomace. There should be no colorants, preservatives or flavorings in cocoa.
Step 10
Of course, ordinary cocoa powder has these positive properties, and not various mixtures based on it.
