What nutrients are most important for a growing child
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©2005-2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information. Good nutrition for kids plays an important role in helping children and adolescents achieve good health. Read on to learn more about healthy foods for kids and teenagers. Meeting nutritional needs of kids and teenagersAs your child grows and develops, you should provide him with a healthy diet. Here are some tips to guide you: Use My Healthy Plate as a guide when planning your child's meals and snacks. No one food can provide all the nutrients he needs, so make sure that your child consumes a variety of food from the 4 food groups:
Related: Guilt-Free Treats to Meet Your Child's Nutritional Needs Choose healthier oils and remember that food high in sugar and salt should only be eaten sparingly. Since the energy and nutrient needs vary from birth to pre-school and school-going ages, there are specific recommended number of servings for each of the food group for different age groups. Having the right number of servings in the daily diet will help your child get all the nutrients he needs.
For infants aged 6 months – 12 months, their dairy foods or calcium-rich foods servings should be provided in the form of 750ml breast milk or infant formula. Develop Healthy HabitsGet your child to adopt healthy eating habits from a young age, and he will be more likely to continue having a preference for them as an adult. Helping your child make better food choices now will have a big impact on his health and quality of life in the future. Be a role model and Make Healthier Choices too! Choose Healthier OilsFat is an essential nutrient in your child's diet. It provides energy and helps absorb, transport and store vitamins in the body. However, too much fat, particularly saturated and trans fat can lead to excessive weight gain and health problems like heart disease and stroke. Learn more about fats here. Note that if your child is under 2 years of age, fat restriction is not recommended as he is still growing rapidly and requires more energy to fuel his growth. Related: Healthier Alternatives to Palm Oil Get Enough Fruit and VeggiesFruit and vegetables are bursting with vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals (beneficial plant substances) and fibre. Get your child into a routine of eating fruit and vegetables by offering him a variety of brightly coloured fruit and vegetables every day. If your child simply refuses to eat them, gently encourage him to try. If he still refuses, come up with creative ways to present the fruit or vegetables. For example, cut them into different shapes and sizes. It might take several attempts before he tries them. The key is not to give up! Introduce wholegrainsWholegrain food such as wholemeal bread, brown rice and oats are more nutritious than refined grains (e.g. white rice) because they contain more vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fibre. So, remember to include them as an essential component of your child's diet. Related: Why are Wholegrains Good for You? Bone Up On CalciumCalcium is the key building block for strong, healthy bones and teeth. During childhood and teenage years, bones grow longer and stronger, which makes this the best years for your child to invest in his bone health. The best calcium sources are dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt. Other good sources include fortified food (e.g. soybean milk), dark green leafy vegetables and fish with edible bones (e.g. sardines). Shake the Salt HabitReducing the salt intake in children and teens reduces the risk of high blood pressure in adulthood. Take action to influence your child's liking for less or non-salty food early in life. Limit the use of salt, sauces and salty processed food (e.g. luncheon meat, salted vegetables and chips). Watch the SugarAdded sugar only provides extra calories to your child's diet, with little other nutritional value. Consuming more calories than he can burn through physical activity can lead to undesirable weight gain. Sugary food and drinks also increase the risk of tooth decay, especially if dental hygiene is neglected. Most children have a sweet tooth, so encourage them to consume less food and drinks containing added sugar. View the recommended dietary allowances for Singaporean children and teenagers So Remember...
Visit Parent Hub, for more useful tips and guides to give your baby a healthy start. Download the HealthHub app on Google Play or Apple Store to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips. Read these next:
This article was last reviewed on Tuesday, December 21, 2021
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Youth Preventive Dental ServiceYouth Preventive Dental Service (YPDS) provides oral health screening for pre-schoolers at some childcare centres as part of the Preschool Oral Health Screening and Fluoride Therapy Programme. Parents will be informed of the screening findings and recommended follow-up action through an "Information Sheet for Parents" that is downloadable from HealthHub. YPDS also provides free basic dental services to Primary and Secondary students through school dental clinics and mobile dental clinics. Annually, Primary 1, 2, 4 and 6, Secondary 1 and 3, and ITE Year 1 students who are enrolled in the school dental programme will be screened and treated by YPDS. Students in other levels who require dental services may visit the school or mobile dental clinics for free consultation and treatment. Catalog-Item ReuseGood nutrition for kids plays an important role in helping children and adolescents achieve good health. Read on to learn more about healthy foods for kids and teenagers. Meeting nutritional needs of kids and teenagersAs your child grows and develops, you should provide him with a healthy diet. Here are some tips to guide you: Use
Choose healthier oils and remember that food high in sugar and salt should only be eaten sparingly. Since the energy and nutrient needs vary from birth to pre-school and school-going ages, there are specific recommended number of servings for each of the food group for different age groups. Having the right number of servings in the daily diet will help your child get all the nutrients he needs.
Develop Healthy HabitsGet your child to adopt healthy eating habits from a young age, and he will be more likely to continue having a preference for them as an adult. Helping your child make better food choices now will have a big impact on his health and quality of life in the future. Be a role model and Choose Healthier OilsFat is an essential nutrient in your child's diet. It provides energy and helps absorb, transport and store vitamins in the body. However, too much fat, particularly saturated and trans fat can lead to excessive weight gain and health problems like heart disease and stroke. Note that if your child is under 2 years of age, fat restriction is not recommended as he is still growing rapidly and requires more energy to fuel his growth. Get Enough Fruit and VeggiesFruit and vegetables are bursting with vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals (beneficial plant substances) and fibre. Get your child into a routine of eating fruit and vegetables by offering him a variety of brightly coloured fruit and vegetables every day. If your child simply refuses to eat them, gently encourage him to try. If he still refuses, come up with creative ways to present the fruit or vegetables. For example, cut them into different shapes and sizes. It might take several attempts before he tries them. The key is not to give up! Introduce wholegrainsWholegrain food such as wholemeal bread, brown rice and oats are more nutritious than refined grains (e.g. white rice) because they contain more vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fibre. So, remember to include them as an essential component of your child's diet. Bone Up On CalciumCalcium is the key building block for strong, healthy bones and teeth. During childhood and teenage years, bones grow longer and stronger, which makes this the best years for your child to invest in his bone health. The best calcium sources are dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt. Other good sources include fortified food (e.g. soybean milk), dark green leafy vegetables and fish with edible bones (e.g. sardines). Shake the Salt HabitReducing the salt intake in children and teens reduces the risk of high blood pressure in adulthood. Take action to influence your child's liking for less or non-salty food early in life. Limit the use of salt, sauces and salty processed food (e.g. luncheon meat, salted vegetables and chips). Watch the SugarAdded sugar only provides extra calories to your child's diet, with little other nutritional value. Consuming more calories than he can burn through physical activity can lead to undesirable weight gain. Sugary food and drinks also increase the risk of tooth decay, especially if dental hygiene is neglected. Most children have a sweet tooth, so encourage them to consume less food and drinks containing added sugar. View the So Remember...
Visit Parent Hub, for more useful tips and guides to give your baby a healthy start.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Tuesday, June 9, 2015 ICD-4-Endocrine Nutritional Metablolic,ICD-11-Digestive,PER_Youth,PER_Parent,PGM_Obesity Prevention,PGM_Lose to Win,PGM_Million Kg,PGM_StudentHealth,AGE_Toddlers,AGE_Tweens,AGE_Teens,INTEREST_Food ＆ Nutrition, No 578 Tuesday, December 21, 2021 Health Promotion Board /sites/assets/Assets/Logos%20and%20Official/HPB_R_V_CMYK_Logo.jpg Health Promotion Board https://www.hpb.gov.sg Healthy Food for Kids and Teens Articles ICD-4-Endocrine Nutritional Metablolic, ICD-11-Digestive, PER_Youth, PER_Parent, PGM_Obesity Prevention, PGM_Lose to Win, PGM_Million Kg, PGM_StudentHealth, AGE_Toddlers, AGE_Tweens, AGE_Teens, INTEREST_Food ＆ Nutrition
What nutrient is most important for growth?Protein is used primarily for growth, health, and body maintenance. All of your hormones, antibodies, and other important substances are composed of protein. Protein is not used to fuel the body unless necessary. Proteins are made of up different amino acids.
What is the most important nutrient for kids?Protein. It builds muscles and other tissues in kids' bodies. Plus, it helps them boost their immune systems. ... . Iron. This nutrient helps you make red blood cells, which carry oxygen in the body, and it helps children grow. Without it, they can get anemia. ... . Vitamin D. This builds strong, healthy bones.. What types of nutrients are more required for growing children?Consider these nutrient-dense foods:. Protein. Choose seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.. Fruits. Encourage your child to eat a variety of fresh, canned, frozen or dried fruits. ... . Vegetables. ... . Grains. ... . Dairy.. What are the 3 main nutrients of concern for children?To ensure that your child is getting a well-balanced diet, be he takes enough of these nutrients: Calcium. Iron. Vitamin D.
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