Guidelines For Healthy Childhood Nutrition

The food your children eat plays an important role in their development. To help them get the right amount of nutrition, parents should offer a wide variety of nutritious foods. A healthy childhood diet is made up of a balanced combination of foods from the five main food groups, plus water and other beverages. These guidelines can help your child grow up with a healthy body weight and good health.

Fruits And Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are a crucial part of a healthy childhood diet. They provide a variety of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are important for growth and development. Vegetables are also an excellent source of fiber, which is good for the digestive tract and for a healthy heart. They are also high in phytochemicals (plant chemicals) that may help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Children should get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. They should include a wide range of colors and types of produce to receive the nutritional benefits they need.

Dairy

Including dairy foods, like milk, cheese and yogurt, in your child’s diet is one of the best ways to ensure they get all the nutrients they need to grow healthy. They contain protein, calcium and vitamin D to help support bone growth and development. They are also a source of potassium, which can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, among other benefits. They can also help build strong bones and protect against osteoporosis later in life. They are also a good source of vitamins A, B12 and D, which support a healthy immune system and nutrient absorption.

Meat

While many people believe that vegetarian diets are better for health, this is not necessarily true. Meat is a key part of a nutritious diet, and it should be included in your child’s daily meals. Meat is also a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, iodine, potassium and selenium. That being said, children can certainly benefit from a healthy diet that includes meat products, as long as they are wholesome. Often, meat products are processed or packaged in such a way that they are not as wholesome as they could be. It is important to choose quality red meat, such as grass-fed Angus steaks or pasture-raised lamb from a reputable farm, for the highest level of nutrition.

Fish

Fish products provide children with important nutrients such as protein, calcium and Vitamin D. They also contain Vitamin B6 which is important for growth and development. As an added bonus, many varieties of fish are rich in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs) which help prevent allergies and other health problems. In addition, fish contains a good amount of iron which helps support healthy blood cells.