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Nutritional needs for children differ with time and age. To ensure your kids thrive well in all aspects, it is your responsibility to care and pay attention to the nutritional needs of your child. A balanced diet is crucial no matter whether your baby is a toddler, preschooler, grade-schooler, or teenager.

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Want to Consult an Expert? Find the best paediatrician in Chennai

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‍Nutrient deficiencies have become pretty common and cause uncommon problems. Your modern diet may lack several vital nutrients, let’s explore some of them, one by one:

• Protein – Kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition that can occur due to lack of protein in diets. Include meat, poultry, fish, egg, peanut butter, milk, and protein-rich supplements in your diet.

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• Iron – The consequence of iron deficiency is Anemia. Therefore, do include spinach, beans, nuts, dry fruits, meat, and iron-fortified foods in the diet.
• Iodine – Enlarged thyroid gland (goitre), mental retardation, and developmental abnormalities occur due to lack of iodine in food. Usage of Iodised salt is one means of accommodating Iodine in the diet.
• Vitamin A – World’s leading cause of blindness is Vitamin A deficiency. Include Vitamin A rich foods in the diet to fulfil its requirements. Such as orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, Red Palm Oil, Liver, sweet potato etc.,

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Must Read: 10 FOOD TIPS TO KEEP YOUR TODDLER HEALTHY THIS WINTER

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• Calcium– Osteoporosis, a fatal bone disease in which bones become fragile, is the outcome of calcium deficiency. Therefore, include calcium-rich foods in your diet such as boned fish, dairy products, dark green vegetables, and so on.

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• Magnesium – Abnormal heartbeats, fatigue, asthma, depression are the outcomes of the lack of magnesium in diets. Thus, it’s better to recognize its importance and include it in your child’s diet.

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Multiple nutrients play a crucial role in the integrated development of the child. A well-planned and balanced diet can fulfil all the needs of your young champ!

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Let’s take a glance at the nutrition tips for a toddler, preschooler, grade-schooler, and teenager.

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Nutrition Tips for Toddlers (1-3 years)

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A toddler is a child between the ages of one and three. Between the ages of 1-3, a child starts using spoon (though proficiency takes a little while) for self-feeding and shows eagerness to make food choices.

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See below table to get an idea of feeding toddlers.

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To know more: About What is MSG and its side effects on Kids?

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Food Groups                                                                                   Servings for 12-24 Months                                                                                 Servings for 24-36 Months

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‍Milk                                                                                       1 - 1½ cups (whole milk)                                                                           2 cups milk (low-fat milk)

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Protein (eggs, beans, peanut butter,

small fibers of meat, poultry, and boneless fish)             2 ounces protein                                                                                         2-4 ounces protein

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Grains ( wheat bread, pasta, and rice)                             1 ounce = 28 grams (at least half whole grain)                                   5 ounces grains (at least half whole grain)

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Dairy Products                                                                    1 cup full-fat yogurt, or 1 - 1½ ounces

                                                                                             soft pasteurized cheese                                                                        1 cup low-fat yogurt, or 1 - 1½ ounces cottage                                                                                                                                                                                                               cheese

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Iron-fortified cereals (barley, oats, wheat,

and mixed cereals)                                                     As per RDA’s Not sounding technically appropriate to

                                                                                    use the phrase “As per instructions"                                                              As per instructions

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Fruits (well-sliced)                                                           1 cup fruit                                                                                            1 - 1½ cup fruit (fresh, frozen, canned, or                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   dried)

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Vegetables (finely cut and well-cooked)                      1 cup                                                                                                     1 - 1½ cup vegetables

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Pure fruits and vegetable juice                                   4 - 6 ounces per day                                                                               4 - 6 ounces per day

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Honey                                                                           As per instructions                                                                                              As per instructions

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Nutrition Tips for Preschoolers, Grade-Schoolers, and Teenagers (14-18 Years)

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Gradually, children start developing strong opinions (likes and dislikes) about food. Let your child explain what he/she wants to eat. Permit them to eat what they want but within boundaries. Strive to provide balance and also motivate your child to make healthy choices. Parents are the direct role models for their young ones. Resorting to healthy food choices, regular intake of water and healthy liquids, adequate sleep, modest exercise are an inevitable part of a healthy eating regime.

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1. Nutritional Needs: Calories

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 For 4-8 Years  Girls: 1,200 - 1,800*Boys: 1,200 - 2,000             

For 9-13 Years  Girls: 1,400 - 2,200*Boys: 1,600 - 2,600            

For 14-18 Years Girls: 1,800-2,400*Boys: 2,000-3,200

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2. Nutritional Needs: Protein

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  For 4-8 Years Girls: 3 - 5 ounces *Boys: 3 - 5.5 ounces

For 9-13 Years Girls: 4 - 6 ounces *Boys: 5 - 6.5 ounces

For 14-18 Years Girls: 5 - 6.5 ounces *Boys: 5.5 - 7 ounces

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3. Nutritional Needs: Fruits

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For 4-8 Years Girls: 1 - 1.5 cups *Boys: 1 - 2 cups

For 9-13 Years Girls: 1.5 - 2 cups *Boys: 1.5 - 2 cups ‍

For 14-18 Years Girls: 1.5 - 2 cups *Boys: 2 - 2.5 cups

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4.Nutritional Needs: Vegetables

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For 4-8 Years Girls: 1.5 - 2.5 cups *Boys: 1.5 - 2.5 cups

For 9-13 Years Girls: 1.5 - 3 cups *Boys: 2 - 3.5 cups

For 14-18 Years Girls: 2.5 - 3 cups *Boys: 2.5 - 4 cups

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5.Nutritional Needs: Grains

For 4-8 Years Girls: 4 - 6 ounces *Boys: 4 - 6 ounces

For 9-13 Years Girls: 5 - 7 ounces *Boys: 5 - 9 ounces

For 14-18 Years Girls: 6 - 8 ounces *Boys: 6 - 10 ounces

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6.Nutritional Needs: Dairy

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For 4-8 Years Girls: 2.5 cups *Boys: 2.5 cups

For 9-13 Year Girls: 3 cups *Boys: 3 cups

For 14-18 Years Girls: 3 cups *Boys: 3 cups

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Must Read: Is your kid eating a healthy lunch? 5 easy tips to make them eat!

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Want to consult the best Nutritionist in India? Please find the links below.

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1. Best Nutritionist in Bangalore
2. Best Nutritionist in Chennai
3. Best Nutritionist in Mumbai
4. Best Nutritionist in Pune
5. Best Nutritionist in Chandigarh
6. Best Nutritionist in Gurgaon
7. Best Nutritionist in Noida

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Want to consult the Best Pediatricians in India? Please find the links below.

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1. ‍Best Pediatricians in Bangalore
2. Top Pediatricians in Chennai
3. Best Pediatric Doctor in Mumbai
4. Top Children’s Specialist near me in Pune
5. Best Child Specialist doctor in Chandigarh
6. Top Pediatrician near me in Gurgaon
7. Best Pediatrician doctors in Noida

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