In debates on nutrition, fats and carbohydrates monopolise the limelight. Protein, the other member of the ‘macronutrient trio’, unfortunately takes a back seat. But proteins are the building blocks of our body, present in every cell, without which the body cannot perform even the most basic functions! It is, hence, imperative that we pay attention to our child’s protein intake at home.
Dharini Krishnan, a leading dietician in Chennai, observes that “children today are eating two nutrients in abundance – carbohydrates and fat – and are deprived of protein. This can lead to reduced immunity, and can cause a number of health issues. Protein is an important nutrient which plays a role in a variety of functions, most importantly in the resistance of the body to infections.”