Stop feeding children noodles alone, nutritionists to parents

Nutritionists have advised parents to avoid depending exclusively on instant noodles for their children's meals, cautioning that this widely consumed dish lacks the vital nutrients necessary for adequate growth and development.

They clarified that although noodles can offer quick energy, they do not provide the protein, vitamins, and minerals essential for a nutritious diet.

The specialists pointed out that the growing reliance on noodles as convenient meals for children, without incorporating other necessary foods, is leading to an increase in malnutrition and weakened immunity among children.

They emphasized the importance of balanced meals that include fruits, vegetables, grains, and affordable protein sources for the well-being of children.

Prof. Wasiu Afolabi, a former President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, cautioned that while noodles may be easy to prepare, they do not meet the nutritional needs of children who require balanced diets for proper growth and development.

Afolabi noted that instant noodles are primarily composed of cereals and mainly provide energy, lacking the protein, vitamins, and minerals that children need.

"Instant noodles are primarily made from cereals, which means they mainly offer energy. As nutritionists, we do not endorse instant noodles as a sufficient food option for children. If consumed frequently, they can overshadow a child's diet, failing to deliver the complete range of nutrients necessary for growth," he stated.

The nutritionist highlighted that children require more than just energy, urging parents to consistently balance meals with protein and vegetables.

"Children need not only energy but also protein, vitamins, and minerals. Instant noodles do not supply these nutrients. If parents choose to serve noodles, they should enhance them with eggs, vegetables, and other nutritious additions. A fundamental principle in nutrition is: the more colors present in the diet, the healthier it is," Afolabi further remarked.

He warned that excessive reliance on noodles poses both short-term and long-term health risks that could adversely impact children's overall well-being.

“When children are fed mainly on instant noodles, it becomes a monotonous diet that only supplies limited nutrients. In the short term, such children will not grow well. They will be immunologically compromised, meaning they will fall sick more often,” he said.

According to him, malnutrition caused by monotonous diets can have lasting effects into adulthood.

“In the long term, malnourished children may suffer stunted growth, poor immunity, frequent illnesses, and they may never reach their full physical or mental potential. As adults, they may also be predisposed to non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cancer. So, over-reliance on instant noodles has both short-term and long-term consequences,” Afolabi said.

The seasoned nutritionist advised parents to prioritise dietary variety, noting that affordable alternatives exist even when some foods become expensive.

“The most important thing is for parents to prioritize variety in meals. If a particular food is expensive, there are usually alternatives that can provide the same nutrients. For example, if cowpeas (beans) are costly, other legumes can be considered. Some of these foods even provide more nutrients for less cost,” he explained.

He urged families to look inwards and take advantage of indigenous and affordable food options that are often ignored.

“Parents should also explore local foods that are indigenous and affordable. Combining them in meals can ensure that children get all the nutrients they need,” Afolabi said.

Highlighting practical solutions, he encouraged backyard farming as a cost-saving approach to improving family nutrition.

“Backyard farming is also very important. Even from kitchen waste, families can grow vegetables, tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, or beans. By producing some foods at home, families can save money to buy essential protein sources. So, the strategy is to combine affordable local foods, grow what you can, and ensure that children’s diets contain variety and balance,” he said.

Also, a Professor of Public Health