Healthy children have a better chance of becoming healthy adults, but the necessary efforts are needed from a young age. Since children’s nutritional needs are linked to the rapid development that takes place during childhood, their diet must be used to promote their growth and development on a daily basis, in addition to providing them with essential components and good habits for the rest of their lives. With the iHerb Deutschland code you can have the perfect solutions for the health solutions.
Think about it:
A two-year-old’s brain has already reached 80% of its adult size. What’s more, this phenomenal growth is affecting one of the most important parts of the body.
Now that you understand why it’s important for children to get adequate nutrition, it’s time to take a look at how to meet their nutritional needs. The advice on what foods to grow healthy children will sound familiar to you.
When your children start to eat solid foods, you should focus on providing them with a healthy balance. Like adults, children have nutritional needs that are based on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and whole grains.
These tips are valid from six months (from the introduction of solid foods) until 96 years, no need to repeat them in each section, it is especially important to remember that healthy foods rich in nutrients are the foundation of good health – for life.
The good start: nutritional information for newborns
During the first six months, the nutritional needs of newborns are met by breast milk. If breastfeeding is not possible, high-quality infant formula can meet their nutritional needs up to the age of six months.
- The nutritional status of the mother is very important for breastfed children. To ensure their proper growth and development, it is essential to provide them with sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. It is therefore necessary that the mother gets all the nutrients she and her baby need through a healthy diet – and supplements, as needed.
- Around six months of age, an infant needs a few important nutrients – iron, in particular. The levels of this essential mineral begin to drop, and foods rich in iron are needed. Consumption of eleven milligrams (mg) per day is recommended for babies 7 to 12 months old.
- Fortunately, around this same time, children are usually able to eat other foods. Iron-fortified cereals and fruit or vegetable purees, among other options, can provide the additional nutrients healthy children need, in addition to the ongoing nutrition from breast milk or infant formula.
At this age, children also need zinc, calcium, and vitamin D. A baby needs 260 mg of calcium between the ages of six and eleven months, along with 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D. This vitamin and mineral work is together to support strong bones and other growing systems in the body.
Likewise, lipids play an essential role in the development of the brain and nervous system. Babies’ intake of lipids should therefore not be limited – especially those from plant sources.
Conclusion
As they get older, toddlers can eat a wider variety of foods, including those that can be eaten with the fingers and whole foods cut into pieces. It is important to introduce them gradually, paying attention to the risk of suffocation, and to favor a variety of healthy foods so that they develop a taste for a varied and nutritious diet.