Similarly, it provides :child nutrition ids health, child development, child development
Protection for your child against various illnesses, diseases and infections by strengthening the body and immune system.
Energy required to keep up with a child's rapid development both physically and mentally.
Good physical and mental development such as better memory, good vision and improved attentiveness in school.
No single food alone can meet your child's entire nutritional needs. The child's body performs various functions (i.e. digestion, cognitive function, muscle contraction, bone hardening) and growth is rather rapid during this period. Hence, different nutrients are needed to fulfill these different needs.
Nutrients Intake For Children
Calories consumed daily should come from a variety of sources so that the child gets the required and appropriate amount of nutrients his/her body needs to grow. Some of the key nutrients, their functions and sources include :
Calcium builds strong bones and teeth, promotes healthy nerve and muscle function, helps blood cot, and helps with keeping a normal heartbeat.
Iron is important for making haemoglobin ,the oxygen-carrying red pigment in blood, and myoglobin, a pigment that stores oxygen in muscles.
Zinc needed by enzymes that aid digestion and metabolism, and essential for growth.
Iodine used by the thyroid gland to help regulate metabolism and development of both the skeleton and brain.
Vitamin A plays an important role in vision and bone growth; helps protect the body from infections; promotes the health and growth of cells and tissues in the body, including the hair, nails, and skin
Vitamin D helps the body absorb minerals like calcium and builds strong teeth and bones. Essential for reaching growth potential and peak bone mass.
Vitamin E limits the production of free radicals, which can damage cells. Important for immunity. DNA repair, and other metabolic processes.
Vitamin B2 Needed for energy metabolism, building tissue, and helps maintain good vision.
Vitamin B3 essential for converting food to energy. It supports the function of the digestive system, skin and nerves, and improves circulation.
For infants, the best child nutrition is breast milk in which provides all the necessary nutrients they require. It is recommended that infants are exclusively breastfed until they are 6 months old. Continued breastfeeding until 2 years and coupled with complementary feeding is also highly encouraged.
The fundamental of good child nutrition is to be balanced in the type of foods you choose for your kids, have them eat moderate portions at every meal and provide them with a variety of foods with different textures, colors and tastes.
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