Is Margarine Healthy for your Kids? 

Is Margarine Healthy for your Kids? 

All parents want their kids to grow up strong and healthy. And the nutrition that kids need to grow healthy is different to the nutritional requirements of adults. This is why BlueBand is specially formulated with omega 3 and 6 as well as important good vitamins such as Vitamin A, D which are important for the kids nutrition making BlueBand an important ally in providing a solid right nutritional foundation for children to grow. Our tasty and nourishing spread provides an important contribution to nutrients in a kids’ diet they need for their healthy development, and it gives them energy to enjoy activities like playing outdoors.

 

Are There Healthy fats in Margarine? 

Margarines contain healthy dietary fats that are important for our body’s needs. These fats provide energy, help absorb vitamins like vitamin A, D and add flavour to food. Within the food we eat, there are good fats and bad fats, and it’s important to understand the difference between the two. BlueBand margarine is a spread that is a great source of “good” fats like Omega 3 and 6, which are important for children’s growth and development.  

Good fats 

Most foods contain a mixture of different fats. Some fats are better for your health than others. Unsaturated fats are called “good fats” because they have a beneficial effect on health. The “good fats” are needed as building blocks for cells in our body and they play an important role in the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.  


Some fat sources (e.g. rapeseed oil) deliver Omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and Omega 6 (linoleic acid) essential fats. Essential fats are so called because the body needs them to function properly but cannot make them from other nutrients. For this reason, we must eat them as part of a healthy diet. 

Essential fats are needed for several functions in the body (e.g., for growing and renewing cells and tissues, to regulate physiological functions, and for normal growth and development of children. Essential fats include Omega 3, (ALA) from “plants”, Omega 3  (EPA) and (DHA) from “marine” sources, and Omega 6 (LA) fatty acids. 

Omega 6 can be found in canola and sunflower seeds, and you can also easily get it and Omega 3 by adding BlueBand margarine to your meals. 



Bad fats 

There are also bad fats, such as trans fats, which needs to be limited in the diet. In fact, many South-East Asian countries have pledged to eliminate trans fatty acids from their food supplies to improve public health.1 Trans fats are known as "bad" fats because they can raise "bad" blood cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of heart diseases. 

Animal and plant fats can both contain high levels of saturated fats, but "bad" fats are typically found in higher amounts in full-fat dairy products, fatty meats, and savoury snacks. 

Blue Band contains both monounsaturated fat (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) for heart health.   



Is Margarine Healthy? 

Margarines are a healthier alternative to butter when they are lower in ‘’bad’’ trans fats and higher in ‘’good’’ unsaturated fats (like Omega 3 (ALA) and Omega 6 (LA) than butter. Our BlueBand margarine is made with oils like sunflower, canola (rapeseed), and linseed oil which contain ‘’good’’ unsaturated fats Omega 3 and 6. High-quality fat spreads like BlueBand virtually contain no trans fats, making BlueBand a healthy replacement for dairy butter. 



How You Can Improve Your Kids’ Diet 

The choices we make about what we eat has an impact on our health. For instance, because of our modern, rushed lifestyle, we may go for the quick option of eating fast foods, salty or sugary snacks and street foods, which are often nutritionally poor.  




That’s where a high-quality food like BlueBand margarine can play a role in ensuring kids get the right nutrients they need every day: 

It’s an excellent source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats.  BlueBand is also an important source of vitamins A & D.

Provide kids with the healthy fats and essential nutrients for healthy growth and development by: 

Starting the day right. Give them a nutritious breakfast so they have the energy and nutrients they need to focus at school.   

Sending them to school with a well-balanced, homemade lunch. Pack a nutritious meal like rice with vegetables and lean meat, or an egg made with BlueBand, or veggie wholewheat bread sandwich made with BlueBand spread, a piece of fruit and a handful of raw nuts. Parents can rest assured that kids will be well-nourished and able to perform well for the day. 

Welcoming them home with a healthy and tasty after-school snack made with BlueBand. It's so versatile, you can add it to a few delicious crackers along with some nutritious pieces of fruit. 

Other Healthy Lifestyle Habits for the Whole Family 

Make good choices about what you eat: reduce saturated and trans fats in your diet by avoiding fast foods, and make healthy, delicious meals at home. Choose healthier ingredients that are low in animal fats, and focus on vegetables and fruit, whole grains as well as healthy fats  

Get moving! It's important to exercise for 20-30 minutes a day even for the children. It’s a game the whole family can play, and it can be as simple as a brisk walk together or playing ball 

Reduce stress levels by spending quality time with your family. Do activities you all enjoy together, such as cooking, gardening or spending some time outdoors in nature or at the park 

Get enough, good quality sleep. This is especially important for young bodies, as it is important for growth and a strong immune system, so kids are able to recover from illness or injury well. Poor sleep has been shown to be related to poor performance at school, as well as problems with mental health. 

Here’s a handy guide from the Australian government to the amount of sleep children need per day:2 

Ages 3 to 5: 10 to 13 hours (including naps) 

Ages 6 to 12: 9 to 11 hours 

Ages 13 to 18: 8 to 10 hours 

Last Thoughts 

Consider BlueBand as a parent’s secret weapon to make tasty daily dishes with its added nutrition! Make the small change today to create a big impact tomorrow for kids’ healthy growing up.