Good Nutrition and a Well Balanced Diet in Children
The Importance of Good Nutrition and a Well Balanced Diet in Children 0 – 6
Good nutrition and a healthy balanced diet are important for young children, introducing a healthy eating plan at a young age will benefit a child later in life. For the first 6 months of a child’s life their nutritional needs are meet with either breast milk or formula milk. Breast milk is mostly recommended as it contains more nutrients and immune boosting substances. There are many health benefits of breastfeeding. Reports suggest that breastfeed babies are less likely to have illnesses and infections, as well as have better mental development, better mouth formation and stronger teeth. (breastfeeding.ie, Feb`13).Formula milk is also nutritional and has its own benefits as it’s made as close to possible to breast milk. If using formula milk hygiene is very important as feeding equipment is perfect places for bacteria to breed and cause sickness i.e.; stomach upset and diarrhoea. (nshhealth.com, Feb`13).
From 6 months onwards infant rice/cereals can be introduced, it’s not recommended before this as baby’s stomachs may not be able to digest food properly. Milk should still be their main source of nutrition with new foods, tastes and textures introduced slowly. Ideally first foods should be pureed to a runny consistency, progressing to lumpy textures and then chunks and finger food.
A healthy diet is one that encourages children to eat many different types of food. The Food Pyramid is a good way to ensure children are getting the essential vitamins and minerals that are needed for good growth and development.
The Food Pyramid.
Encouraging children to eat a verity of foods from the main food groups is a good step to a healthy diet. * Bread, cereals and potatoes group – these foods are carbohydrates which provide children with energy to grow and play * Fruits and vegetables – these foods give vitamins and minerals * Milk, cheese and yogurts – these foods contain calcium for
Good nutrition and a healthy balanced diet are important for young children, introducing a healthy eating plan at a young age will benefit a child later in life. For the first 6 months of a child’s life their nutritional needs are meet with either breast milk or formula milk. Breast milk is mostly recommended as it contains more nutrients and immune boosting substances. There are many health benefits of breastfeeding. Reports suggest that breastfeed babies are less likely to have illnesses and infections, as well as have better mental development, better mouth formation and stronger teeth. (breastfeeding.ie, Feb`13).Formula milk is also nutritional and has its own benefits as it’s made as close to possible to breast milk. If using formula milk hygiene is very important as feeding equipment is perfect places for bacteria to breed and cause sickness i.e.; stomach upset and diarrhoea. (nshhealth.com, Feb`13).
From 6 months onwards infant rice/cereals can be introduced, it’s not recommended before this as baby’s stomachs may not be able to digest food properly. Milk should still be their main source of nutrition with new foods, tastes and textures introduced slowly. Ideally first foods should be pureed to a runny consistency, progressing to lumpy textures and then chunks and finger food.
A healthy diet is one that encourages children to eat many different types of food. The Food Pyramid is a good way to ensure children are getting the essential vitamins and minerals that are needed for good growth and development.
The Food Pyramid.
Encouraging children to eat a verity of foods from the main food groups is a good step to a healthy diet. * Bread, cereals and potatoes group – these foods are carbohydrates which provide children with energy to grow and play * Fruits and vegetables – these foods give vitamins and minerals * Milk, cheese and yogurts – these foods contain calcium for