What Does A Child Need To Eat To Grow And Develop Properly?

Nutrition is based on the same principles as nutrition for adults. Everyone needs the same types of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Children, however, need different amounts of specific nutrients at different ages. When parents feed their children all-natural foods that offer a variety of textures and flavors, it helps them develop good eating habits and encourages healthy weight gain.

Proper eating habits in childhood and adolescence are important for proper growth and development, as well as to prevent various health conditions. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 recommend that people aged 2 years or older should have a healthy eating pattern which includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, a variety of protein foods, and oils. Individuals should limit calories from solid fats (major sources of saturated and trans fatty acids) and added sugars, and reduce sodium intake. Unfortunately, most children and adolescents do not follow the recommendations outlined in our Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Benefits Of Healthy Eating

We believe that health and wellness begin with a balanced diet. Eating a healthy diet is one of the best things you can do for your health. Eating nutritious foods and maintaining a healthy weight can help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, consume important nutrients, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, iron deficiency, and dental caries (cavities).

Diet In Relation To Academic And Performance

A healthy breakfast is important for school-age children and adolescents. The impact of breakfast on cognition, mood, and behavior is well established, as are associations between diet quality and academic achievement. School meals can be a powerful tool to improve student health by increasing fruit and vegetable intake and decreasing saturated fat, sodium, and unhealthy beverages.

Statistics On Eating Behaviour Of Young People

Children and adolescents still consume too many calories from empty calories and too little from the types of foods that support healthy lifestyles. Although overall consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among children and adolescents decreased between 2001 and 2010, solid fats and added sugars still contribute to 40% of the calories in their diets. Between 2003 and 2010, total fruit intake and whole fruit intake among children and adolescents increased, but most youth still do not meet fruit and vegetable recommendations.

Important Nutrients For Kids

Nutrition is crucial to growing kids’ bodies and minds. Kids go through major physical and mental growth from the ages of 4 to 13, so they need a healthy mix of nutrients to fuel those changes. Whether your kid is a picky eater, a snacker, or a try-anything type, the right amount and mix of nutrients help them grow healthy brains and bodies. To fuel healthy brain and body development, kids need a good balance of protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and a small number of healthy fats. Even between the ages of 4 and 13 children go through major physical and mental growth. Poor nutrition can result in delayed – or even permanently stunted – growth in children, according to MedlinePlus. It is unlikely that specific food choices will prompt your child to grow taller than he is genetically designed to be. But offering children the right balance of nutrients – including total calories, carbs, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals – will maximize their growth potential. Healthy eating fuels those changes. Important nutrients that should be included are:

• Protein: Weight problems are a big concern for kids’ bodies. Getting enough protein is key to keeping bones strong and muscles strong. Plus, it helps keep kids feeling full for longer, so they eat less in between meals. Kids need at least 55 grams of protein per day for children 2-8 years old and 65 grams per day for kids ages 9-14. Kids need protein to build muscles, grow strong and maximize their immune systems. Fish, chicken, and turkey are all excellent sources for kids (who may be using more of the taste in the mouth than their intellect to decide whether something is nutritious). Beans and legumes can also be good choices, although they should be consumed in moderation since they contain carbs. Nuts and nut butter are great as well. Getting enough protein is important for children to grow strong and healthy. Protein-rich foods can help kids reach their full growth potential. Many plant-based foods are also high in protein.

• Iron: Iron aids in the production of red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. If a child’s levels of iron are low, that can cause anemia, which has disastrous results for their health and development. High levels of iron store iron that is not used by the body when red blood cells are broken down. But this nutrient may also help with other functions in the body, such as making connective tissue and storing calcium. A child needs about 10 milligrams a day of iron for children 4 to 8 years old, and 8 milligrams a day after age 4. Good sources of iron include red meat and poultry, and green leafy vegetables like spinach, beans, dried beans, and lentils.

• Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps promote strong, healthy bones. It is a problem for kids who do not get enough, because it can increase the risk for cancer and osteoporosis as they grow up. Good sources include fatty fish like salmon and other types of seafood. Vitamin D levels in some foods have been linked to cancer risk in adults, so it is important to check labels to find out what is in your kids’ food. Some foods have added vitamin D, but experts recommend that you give your child a vitamin supplement if their diet is not rich in this important nutrient. Kids need 600 international units of vitamin D per day, but they can get it from sunlight on their skin or some foods like milk and fish.

• Calcium: A great way to build strong bones is to get kids to drink milk. It also builds strong bones, which store the nutrients for years. Calcium belongs to a group of minerals called alkaline earth metals. Its functions include helping to absorb the mineral phosphorous, which builds strong bones and teeth, as well as helping muscle contraction. When kids drink milk, the calcium soaks up in their bloodstream where it can be easily used by their bodies. Kids need 1,000 milligrams per day for children 4-8, and 1,300 milligrams per day for kids 9-13. Good sources include dairy products like milk, fortified soy milk, tofu, and dry cereals. Dairy is the best source of calcium for kids because it contains more than 100 percent of the recommended daily value (DV) for all ages. Also, it is easy for kids to digest and absorb calcium from dairy foods than from other types such as calcium carbonate pills tablets, or capsules.

• Healthy Fats: Fat is a critical nutrient for brain development and function. Kids need certain kinds of fats in their diet because they help with fat metabolism and healthy brain function. Fatty acids found in salmon or flaxseed or walnuts also support healthy brain development and metabolism. As per the requirements of kids, they need 30% of their overall diet as fat. Some of the good sources where you can find fat is as Breastmilk for infants; vegetable oils like olive, safflower, corn, or soy, or proteins like fish or chicken for kids older than 2.

• Vitamin C: A nutrient that builds and regulates blood vessels, vitamin C helps kids get a healthy immune system and resist infection. It is also important for the absorption of iron and other minerals. Kids who eat a lot of fruits and vegetables have less likelihood of getting scurvy than those who do not. Many kids also get too little of this important nutrient. If we talk about how much a kid needs to take vitamin c to complete its level in the body then, 25 milligrams per day for children 4-8, and 45 milligrams per day for children 9-13. Good sources of Vitamin C include fresh fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries, broccoli, kiwi fruit, cabbage, peppers, and green leafy veg.

• Calorie Count: Kids are growing. Although it is important to feed them a healthy diet and lots of vegetables, the best way to grow your child is through regular exercise. To help your child grow and thrive, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 estimate that kids ages 2 to 3 need 1,000 to 1,400 calories daily; children ages 4 to 8 require 1,200 to 2,000 calories a day; and kids ages 9 to 14 need about 1,400 to 2,600 calories daily. The more active your child is, the more calories he needs to maximize his growth and development.

• Good For Body: Various dairy products along with milk may help in the growth of kids making them taller as they are genetically designed to be. A study of 2006 which was published in “Public Health Nutrition” said that consumption of cows’ milk and other dairy foods is associated with higher insulin-like growth factors in children, and with increased leg-bone length in boys. Moreover, as per the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, most kids need 2 to 3 cups of dairy foods daily, depending on their age and suggested total calorie intake.