by Louie Jerome

Created on: November 04, 2008   Last Updated: November 16, 2008

Marmite used to be something of a tradition in Britain but it seems to be declining in popularity where many children are concerned. There are however various ways that you can try to persuade them to eat it. This dark brown, sticky spread comes in easily recognisable black glass jars with yellow lids. What makes it a healthy spread for toast and sandwiches is the fact that it is made from yeast extract.

Popular belief seems to hold that it is made from beef, but this is incorrect. Marmite is yeast extract, not beef extract.

An explanation of how nutritious Marmite is and why it is so good for health is the first way to try if you have older children but the younger ones will take more work. From a healthy diet point of view, a thin spread of Marmite on your child's morning toast gives essential B vitamins. These vitamins regulate the kidneys, liver and nervous system, help with skin disorders and boost energy.

A Dutch scientist named Leouwanhoeck and French scientist Louie Pasteur first discovered that used brewer's yeast which was a by-product of the brewing industry was actually alive and was formed from tiny growing cells. They went on to identify the nutritional benefits of the yeast.

Getting children to eat Marmite is a far better option than persuading them to take vitamin pills and artificial supplements. (You could offer the option to 'swallow pills' on eat Marmite on toast and you might be lucky enough for your child to choose the toast) This the natural way for them to get the B vitamins they need to develop and grow naturally and healthily. Feeding them Marmite takes away all the worries we as parents have about giving our children pills and potions that are supposed to keep them healthy but may in actual fact end up doing harm in the long term.

Vitamin B1 is essential helps in the metabolism of starch and sugar which controls energy levels and it also keeps the heart and the rest of the nervous system healthy. B2 helps build nails, hair and skin while B6 is essential for the building of red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. Other B vitamins such as B3 and B12 are important to growth and repair of the body.

All these vitamins are found in Marmite and there are few other foods that offer them all. Among these are brown rice, wholewheat, wheatgerm, molasses and soya beans. Adding Marmite to the diet of a child ensures that there are adequate levels of these vitamins in the body.

Children will often eat marmite and cheese sandwiches if you keep the marmite to a bare minimum. You only need a bare scrap on toast or bread to get the benefit of the yeast extract. It is also good on toast if you top it with scrambled egg. Failing that you can always add a little to gravies and sauces and disguise it.

Marmite is healthy and can be used on its own on toast, on bread, or in a cheese sandwich. A particularly healthy way to eat it is to add it to a watercress sandwich which will give vitamin C and iron too. Tempting your child to eat Marmite in any way you get will certainly give long term health benefits and peace of mind, especially where you are dealing with fussy eaters.

Good luck if you are attempting to get your child to eat a Marmite and watercress sandwich.

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