Lately, fried vegetables appear to be on the rise in the community. From adults to children, they don't hesitate to taste different vegetable preparations than usual. Indeed, the crunchy and savory taste makes the meal more enjoyable. However, may it not, if the child is given fried vegetables?
Can children eat fried vegetables?
Maybe because you want to try to present a new look that is not boring for children, you are willing to buy fried vegetables sold by street vendors or restaurants. Quite often, you will take the initiative to make it yourself at home.
Vegetables are famous thanks to a myriad of important nutrients in them. That is why, vegetables should always be available in the daily diet, especially for children who are still in their infancy. But unfortunately, good nutrition can be reduced or even lost when fried in hot oil (deep frying).
Keri Glassman, M.Sc., R.D., a nutrition consultant in New York, explained that oil that is heated at very high temperatures can no longer be considered healthy. The frying process can change the levels of unsaturated fats in your cooking oil to saturated fat.
Not only that. Glassman continues that the vitamins and minerals contained in these vegetables will be damaged. As a result, even the little one doesn't get the essential nutrients that should be present in vegetables.
What are the possible dangers of consuming fried vegetables?
It is difficult to deny, the taste produced from the results of frying vegetables is indeed delicious. Some children even like it more than other vegetable preparations. Unfortunately, there are bad effects that lurk your daughter's health behind the delicacy of this fried vegetable.
Frying will increase food calories. This is because when fried, the water content in the vegetables will disappear. Instead, vegetables will actually absorb more oil and fat.
Not only that, eating too often fried foods can increase the risk of chronic diseases. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are some of the health risks most likely caused by fried foods, said Leah Cahill PhD, an assistant lecturer at Dalhousie University Canada.
Especially if the oil used to fry vegetables is not new oil, aka used cooking oil that has been used repeatedly. Used cooking oil generally contains high levels of trans fat so that it can increase bad LDL cholesterol which is certainly dangerous for the health of the child's body.
Then, what's the solution?
Occasionally serving a menu of fried vegetables for children and families is not really a problem. As long as the portion is not excessive and not given every day. Keep limiting consumption of fried foods.
But you should make it at home instead of having to buy it yourself. That way, you can guarantee cleanliness and health.
When you want to fry vegetables, it's also important to choose the right cooking oil. Some types of oil can remain stable and not quickly damaged even though they are heated in high temperatures so they tend to be safer for health. For example coconut oil, canola oil, and olive oil.
This type of healthy oil also contains omega-3 fatty acids that are good for the heart. Most importantly, do not use used oil or used cooking oil once in a while to fry.