Complete Nutrition For Children: From Infants To School Graduates

Wholesome nutrition for children should be a concern for every mother. It will ensure the good health of the child, eliminating some diseases and developmental delays. The diet must be made for each age. What is possible for a one-year-old child is unlikely to be to the taste of a schoolboy.

In addition to taste preferences, it is important to take into account other principles of a balanced diet for children. We are talking about safety, regularity and saturation with vitamins, which are so necessary for a growing body. It is better to accustom to this from the first days, so that later there are no problems with excess weight and the gastrointestinal tract.

The concept of the first 1000 days

Nutrition in the first 1000 days of life (9 months of pregnancy + first 2 years) determines the health of the child throughout his life.

• Adequate nutrition for the mother during pregnancy ensures the healthy growth of the baby, the development of the brain and the immune system.

• In addition, on-demand feeding in the first 6 months is the prevention of dental problems in the baby: with the correct grip of the nipple, the lower jaw is pushed forward and the entire jaw apparatus is actively working, good blood supply and active lymphatic drainage of this area are provided - the most important conditions for the formation of the correct bite and prevention caries.

• About 70% of a child's brain is formed in utero, so it is important to avoid nutritional deficiencies (including healthy fats containing omega-3 acids), iodine, and iron, which are involved in the maturation of brain structures.

• With a latent iron deficiency at an early age, as well as anemia, the risk of lagging behind the physical and intellectual development of the child increases, which at an older age will be very difficult to correct. Because only during this period of 1000 days is the most rapid development of the brain and the formation of neural connections.

Wholesome infant nutrition

Breast milk contains all the fats, proteins, trace elements and vitamins necessary for the baby. And, importantly, they are fully absorbed by the child's body. Formulas, no matter how balanced they are, are still less complete nutrition for children.

Here are the benefits of breast milk:

• Allergies to proteins that are contained in mother's milk, children practically do not happen. In addition, they are saturated with beneficial amino acids that are important for growth and development.

• Fats contain fatty acids, which are also very useful. In addition, they are better broken down due to lipase, which is found in breast milk. This guarantees the child a normal stool, without constipation and painful colic.

• Of the carbohydrates in breast milk, there is lactose, which provides normal acidity in the stomach and intestines of the child. And this is of great importance for the vital activity of bacteria (useful ones perform their functions, and harmful ones are suppressed). In addition, there are enough calories in mother's milk for the growth of the child's body.

• Protection against viruses and infections to an infant is provided by immunity, the formation of which is facilitated by important hormones and biologically active components that make up breast milk.

• Breastfed babies are less likely to be obese and less likely to develop diabetes (as adults).

• Breast milk is the most complete food for newborns, it is always at the right temperature, never stale, sterile. It does not contain harmful bacteria, as it can be in artificial formulations.

• Babies who suckle at the breast develop a regular bite. In addition, later it reduces the risk of stomatitis or caries.

• Breastfeeding is also good because it forms a special emotional and psychological bond between mother and child. They are calm, the baby feels protected, the mother feels self-confidence, which is important for the nervous system of both.

Foods to avoid for breastfeeding women

For every mother, the task of providing children with a complete balanced diet should be at the forefront. Therefore, a breastfeeding woman must definitely think about what she eats.

Do not rush to introduce several new products to the menu at once. The optimal pace is one product for two weeks. At the same time, be sure to monitor the reaction of the baby: are there any rashes or redness on the skin, has the stool changed, has the mood and behavior deteriorated.

Here is what should be completely excluded from the diet:

• alcoholic drinks;

• coffee and too strong tea;

• raw onion and garlic;

• any dishes from soy;

• honey;

• any fruits, vegetables or berries of bright colors (red, orange);

• chocolate products;

• everything spicy, spicy, food with an abundance of seasonings;

• mushroom dishes;

• everything smoked, canned, pickled, prepared on the basis of fermentation (including kvass or sauerkraut).

• any products with dyes, preservatives or food additives;

• fruits of exotic origin, all citrus fruits;

• peanut;

• carbonated drinks.

Rules for the introduction of complementary foods in the diet of a child

The baby gradually grows, begins to move more, and the time comes when the nutrients that are in milk or artificial mixture are no longer enough for him. Therefore, in order to provide a complete balanced diet for children, it is necessary to gradually introduce complementary foods. This, moreover, is important for the development of the chewing apparatus and the formation of habits for a particular food.

Here are a few rules that are important to follow when you start introducing complementary foods:

• The child should be absolutely healthy every time you add something new to the diet. During an exacerbation of chronic diseases or if the baby is just sick, do not give unfamiliar foods.

• If you are to be vaccinated, then two weeks before it, complementary foods should not be given, as well as after vaccination.

• When you introduce something new to the menu, do it in the morning or in the afternoon, so that until the evening you have the opportunity to observe how the baby reacts.

• Vegetables should be given one type at a time, and then changed, adding new options. Fruit purees or cereals can include several different components at once.

• The first portions of complementary foods should be very small, literally half a teaspoon. If you see that the child perceives the new product well (the stool is normal, the skin is clear), gradually give more. In a week, you should come to the recommended daily allowance for this product.

• Give a new product for two weeks and only after that try to introduce something else. This approach will allow you to quickly understand what the child could be allergic to (if this happens suddenly).

To provide children with good nutrition in the first year of life, we can recommend using something like this scheme:

With which foods to start complementary foods and in what order to introduce them into the diet, the question is purely individual. You need to look at the state of health of the baby, his weight and how the digestive system copes with the work.

You can cook meals for complementary foods yourself, or you can buy factory-made food. What is preferable for you - choose for yourself.

Such products are excellent nutrition for children. They are safe for health, have a balanced composition (in terms of the content of vitamins and chemical elements) and can be of varying degrees of grinding.

Of the juices, the least allergenic are apple and pear, so it is better to introduce them first into the diet.

To accustom the baby to thicker food should be, starting with mashed potatoes. Again, preferably with pear or apple.

Vegetable puree should include only one vegetable at the first stage, and then new ones are gradually added. You can start with zucchini.

Grains are essential for a healthy diet for children. Gluten-free cereals are the first to be introduced into the diet. After some time, cereals can be prepared from gluten-containing cereals and give the child oatmeal, barley, wheat, semolina (as well as prepared from a mixture of different cereals). You can cook them with milk or water. The main thing is not cow's, as there are studies that cow's milk in the first year of life can significantly spoil the intestinal microbiota of a child. You can add mother's milk or formula that you feed your baby.

Complete nutrition for children 1-3 years old

The basic principles of organizing good nutrition for children under 3 years of age:

1. The daily volume of food for a child of the second year of life is 1000-1200 ml (water is not taken into account here), for the third year of life - 1200-1500 ml. At one time, the baby should eat no more than 250-300 ml.

2. There are five feedings per day. Of these, breakfast, lunch and dinner are the main ones, and two additional ones in the form of a second breakfast / afternoon snack and supplementary food before going to bed (a mixture or something from fermented milk products).

3. In terms of calories, the distribution is as follows: 25% for breakfast, 30-35% for lunch, 20% for dinner, 10% for second breakfast (or afternoon tea) and “milk” before going to bed.

4. Dairy products should be given to the child three times a day.

5. Four times a day, it is necessary to include fruits and vegetables in meals, once - cereal dishes (porridge, side dish) and two or three times - bread.

6. The norm of meat consumption (including poultry) is 100 g per day (given once or twice a day). Fish (and dishes from it) is enough for about 200 g per week (given 2-3 times a week). It is undesirable for children aged 1-3 years to include sausages, sausages, sausages in the menu. They contain a lot of fat, spices, salt and food additives.

7. Eggs are enough three pieces a week. 

8. When the child is thirsty, give him plain water, no sugary drinks are needed.

9. Salt and sugar - to a minimum. Salt - no more than 3 g. And sugar is already in various desserts, fruit puree, compote and jelly, as well as dairy and other products. The norm of sugar is no more than 25-30 g.

10. You can also continue to breastfeed, up to two years old, apply the baby one or two times during the day.

11. How many times to feed a day to ensure good nutrition for children is an individual question, but you do not need to give some sweets, juices, cookies, etc. between main meals.

12. No need to force the child to eat quickly or persuade him to finish eating if he shows that he no longer wants to. You should not promise something sweet in exchange for the fact that the baby eats well.

13. Repeat attempts to feed the child a dish that he immediately did not want. On the tenth time he will try, and maybe even he will like it.

14. A number of products should be excluded from the diet of children in the first three years of life. These are mushrooms, all kinds of canned foods (both home-made and purchased), dry concentrates. Also, do not give spicy, sauces, horseradish, mustard, vinegar, pepper and mayonnaise. Eliminate any soda, as well as products with flavors, dyes and any artificial additives. The child does not need cakes, pastries and everything that contains combined fats.

Complete nutrition for preschool children

It should be taken into account that the digestive system of a preschool child has not yet been fully formed, it is rather weak and is able to cope only with foods that are easily digested.

Improper nutrition of a preschooler can affect his health later.

Here are a few requirements for organizing good nutrition for preschool children:

• the menu should be complete, that is, include in full the minerals, vitamins, fats, proteins, carbohydrates and water necessary for health;

• the diet must be diversified, give the child both plant and animal food;

• it is important to choose quality products without unhealthy impurities or pathogenic microbes; salty, sweet and spicy - to a minimum;

• the volume and caloric content of servings should be enough for the child to be satiated, to grow normally, develop, and be energetic.

Do not persuade children to eat something that they immediately did not like, and even more so, you do not need to force it. Ask what's wrong, taste it yourself. You can cook it differently next time or give another dish with the inclusion of a product that the child did not want.

You can drink water as much as you like. As for drinks with sugar content (especially those bought in the store), then give them to a minimum.

A child at this age should eat about 1.5 kg of food during the day, and its calorie content should be about 1800 kcal.

Complete nutrition for preschool children is a varied and healthy diet that contains everything necessary for normal growth and development.

New cells and tissues of the body are built from proteins. Animal proteins are found in meat, fish, dairy products and eggs. Vegetable proteins - in bread, vegetables, cereals and legumes. If a child consumes little protein, he develops slowly, his immune system is weakened.

It is better to include lean meat, beef, veal, chicken and turkey in the diet. Offal can also be given to children, they are also rich in protein, iron and a whole list of vitamins.