The Top 5 Nutrients Required for Your Child’s Growth

Parenting is surely a thrilling journey but it can also get intimidating sometimes. When you’re responsible for the health and well-being of a tiny human being, it is important to thoroughly research and comb through all the diet options to decide what’s best for a growing mind and body. This blog is to help you narrow down the five essential nutrients that a growing child needs, and design an ideal menu ensuring a balanced supply of all five of them.

• Protein: Protein is a macronutrient of growth, development and many bodily functions such as recovery and repair of muscle, skin, organs, nails, hair and blood. It carries oxygen, converts food into energy and builds cells for the child. If your kid is a picky eater, there are plenty of delicious resources both inside the food and as supplements. The age group of 1-3 years should consume 13g, age group 4-8 years should consume 19g and the age group 9-13 years should consume 34g of protein daily.
• Calcium: The only chance we get at building strong bones is during our childhood and teen years. Strong bones ensure fewer problems when you’re older since that is when your bones start deteriorating. Calcium also plays an important role in preventing blood clotting and muscle, nerve, and heart function. The age group of 1-3 years should consume 700mg, the age group 4-8 years should consume 1000mg and the age group 9-13 years should consume 1300mg of calcium daily.
• Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the repository of energy for our bodies. They are reduced to simple sugar in our bloodstreams that fuel the enthusiastic little children who are constantly moving, talking, learning, and growing. Carbohydrates invigorate brains to keep us focused and use fat and protein to build and repair muscles. While carbohydrates are available as sugars, starches and fibres, it is recommended to consume starches and fibres more than sugar. Growing children need at least 130 grams of carbohydrates daily.
• Vitamin C: While Vitamin C is widely known as an immunity booster to fight off common cold and flu, it has a range of benefits such as promoting healthy bone and teeth health, maintaining collagen, and overall skin health. It maintains good skin tissue health, plays the role of an antioxidant by neutralizing harmful effects of radicals on the cell membrane, and maintains healthy cells. The age group of 1-3 years should consume 15mg, the age group 4-8 years should consume 25mg and the age group 9-13 years should consume 45mg of Vitamin C daily.
• Iron: Iron accelerates the movement of oxygen from the lungs to all the cells in the body. It assists our muscles to store oxygen. Lack of iron can lead to iron deficiency which highly affects the growth and development of children. The risk is as dangerous as forming iron deficiency- anemia, and impairs the child’s ability to function well. The age group of 1-3 years should consume 7mg the age group 4-8 years should consume 10mg, and the age group 9-13 years should consume 8mg of iron daily.

With these 5 groups of essential nutrients, your child is sure to grow up into a healthy human and keep all sickness and diseases at bay. The 5 nutrients work like magic to ensure the well-being and holistic development of a growing child.