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A child's diet in the first few years are of
vital importance, as this is the crucial time when the foundations
for future good health are laid.
Nutritional considerations
Food and nutrients are the building blocks which help to form
strong teeth and bones, muscles and healthy tissues. A good
diet can also help to protect against illness.
A child's diet needs special care and planning - the requirements
for energy and nutrients are high, but appetites are small
and eating habits are likely to be finicky. The diet therefore
needs to be made up of small, frequent and nutrient-dense
meals.
Particularly important nutrients include:
Iron
Iron-deficiency is common in this age group as iron requirements
are high but dietary intake is often low, especially if
little or no meat is eaten. Foods rich in vitamin C, eaten
at the same time, help maximise iron absorption, so include
a glass of orange juice with the evening meal, for example.
Good sources of dietary iron are shown in the table below.
Calcium
This is vital for the growth of bones and teeth. Requirements
will be met as long as the child consumes enough milk and
dairy products. Good sources of dietary calcium are shown
below.
Vitamins A, C and D
Vitamin A is needed for healthy skin and cell development
and can be often lacking in diets of this age group.
Vitamin C is important for the immune system and growth.
It also helps in the absorption of iron, especially iron
from non-meat sources. Vitamins C intakes are often low
in children who eat little fruit and vegetables.
Vitamin D is essential for calcium metabolism and can be
synthesised through the action of sunlight on the skin.
In winter, and if your child is always covered if outside,
make sure you include dietary sources of vitamin D, along
with supplements (in tablet or liquid form) that contain
this vitamin.
Young children can be given extra A, C and D vitamins in
supplements. These can be obtained from your local health
centre and given as instructed. |
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