Kids who eat meat or drink milk do better in school (babycenter.com) Kids who don't eat meat or dairy products have a harder time learning. That's the conclusion of a new study in the September American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers in the Netherlands and Norway say children who don't get enough vitamin B12 don't perform as well in school as those who get the vitamin in foods such as eggs, meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products. In the study, researchers followed 48 children, 10 to 16 years old, who until age 6 were on a macrobiotic diet of mostly cereals, beans, peas, and vegetables, with no meat or dairy products. At age 6, the children began eating meat or dairy products, or both. This group was compared with a similar group of children whose diets were never restricted. Kids in both groups were tested for their ability to reason, solve complex problems, and process abstract thoughts. The level of vitamin B12 in their blood also was evaluated. Children who had followed a macrobiotic regimen scored lower on most of the tests and had lower levels of the vitamin in their blood than children whose diet included animal proteins. The study focused on children on macrobiotic diets, but the results (if they hold true) could apply to any children — including picky eaters — who avoid animal protein. Not everyone agrees with the study's conclusions, though. Evidence from this study and others that children on very restricted diets perform less well in school is not convincing, says David Levitsky, professor of nutrition and psychology at Cornell University. Children who don't eat meat, fish, or dairy products can be as healthy as people who do, as long as they get plenty of the nutrients they need. "[They] may be thinner than omnivores, but that may not be bad," he says. — By Jenn Director Knudsen __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free! http://photos.yahoo.com/ >> Kirim bunga ke-20 kota di Indonesia? Klik, http://www.indokado.com >> Info balita, http://www.balita-anda.indoglobal.com Etika berinternet, email ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Stop berlangganan, e-mail ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
