Proper nutrition in childhood can help them to grow up to their full potential and a healthy life. Children should supply all the nutrients, minerals, and vitamins needed for proper growth and development. Children need different nutrition than adult because young children only have small tummies and so need plenty of calories and nutrients in a small amount of food to ensure they grow properly.
Encouraging healthy eating in childhood is important to reduce the risk of diseases in the future. You must make sure that your kids get meals from four main food groups below
- Bread, other cereals and potatoes – these starchy foods, which also include pasta and rice, provide energy, fibre, vitamins and minerals.
- Fruit and vegetables – these provide fibre, vitamins and minerals and are a source of antioxidants.
- Milk and dairy foods – these provide calcium for healthy bones and teeth, protein for growth, plus vitamins and minerals.
- Meat, fish and alternatives – these foods, which include eggs and pulses, provide protein and vitamins and minerals, especially iron. Pulses also contain fibre.
Choosing foods from each of the four main food groups will help to ensure that kids receive all the vitamins and minerals they need for good nutrition and health. These healthy practices can also prevent many medical problems, including becoming overweight, developing weak bones, and developing diabetes. It will also help ensure that your child physically grows to his full potential.