A balanced diet should contain foods from these groups, all meals snacks and drinks taken throughout the day must provide children with the sufficient nutrients to make up a balanced diet. When planning meals for children, there are several things to take into consideration to ensure that meals contain sufficient nutrients and calories. Some foods are higher in nutrients than others if a food is high in calories it should also be high in nutrients. Foods such as crisps, biscuits and sweets are high in calories but low in nutrients and so an unhealthy option. Children’s stomachs are tiny and so have a limited capacity in can sometimes be hard to make sure they eat enough nutrients before they are full.
5. Saturated fat- a diet low in saturated fat can prevent high cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. 6. Protein- Protein is important for the growth and repair of body tissues like muscles. Children grow fast so protein is particularly important.
* By the 12-18 months, babies should be able to eat the same food as the rest of the family with no extra salt or sugared added. Children * Energy and nutrients requirements continue to increase as the children grow older. Limiting foods and drinks containing sugar to meal times and brushing regularly with fluoride toothpaste can help to keep teeth free from decay. School meals can make an important contribution to the nutrient intake of children during term time. A healthy lifestyle for the whole family is important.
We have a crisis on our hands with childhood obesity on the rise. Two main causes for the fattening of our children are junk food and sugary sodas. Junk food and soda often take the place of healthy foods in our kids’ diets, something that most school systems should be ashamed of. School lunches are a cause of childhood obesity in America, at least in U-46 schools. In order to put an end to childhood obesity, the schools needs to prepare a healthy yet balanced diet for all kids, by serving them with good food that is full of nutrition.
In the teenage stage of life it is very important to eat a balanced diet high in protein, carbohydrate, water, vitamins and minerals as this assists them in their developments in puberty, helps them stay within their ideal weight, helps with their focus in school work and sport activities. As young adults/full grown adults (men and women) men are allowed a daily intake of 2500 calories and women are allowed 2000 calories a day. These calories should be made up of 5 a day balanced diet. Their diets should be high in fats, carbohydrates, fibre, sugars, water, vitamins and minerals as these components contribute to keeping an adult health and preventing certain illness’, maintenance of appropriate BMI, maintenance if ideal weight and above all the sufficient amount of nutrients the body needs at that stage to perform very well. At old age eating a diet rich with vitamins, proteins, fibre and water contributes to making their immune system function better as well as keeping their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol level low.
Even though “traditional vegetarian diets, in places like India, regularly include dairy and eggs for complete healthy diet with protein, essential fats and vitamins” (Planck), that does not attest to the fact that an animal-free diet is unsafe, or even a bad idea for adults and older children. Indeed, “vegan can work for [older] children…, says Katherine Tallmadge R.D, It's doable, but parents need to be very knowledgeable and meticulous, since a child's nutritional needs are so intense”(Haupt). In their first few years, children need protein, good fats and vitamins, to properly develop; many of these needs are missing from a vegan diet. This can lead to symptoms of dizziness, rickets, fatigue, anemia, poor concentration, and problems learning and remembering. If done correctly a vegan diet can be a very healthy choice for ages 4 and over.
Schools have an ideal opportunity to influence children’s diets. Breakfast clubs can help ensure that children eat a nutritious and filling meal at the start of the day. School meals can be made more appealing to children by being freshly prepared on the premises and served in a more conducive environment. Schools can teach the importance of healthy eating through PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) and stimulate children’s interest in and provide access to different foods in cooking classes. There is a suggestion that combined with a poor diet; a lack of physical activity can lead to obesity.
Sadly, they are not. Providing children with nutritious foods is important to support their health, growth and development, while poor nutrition contributes to unhealthy weights in both children and adults. Because children's dietary habits are largely formed before the age of five, it is so important to support the development of healthy physical and eating habits early.
Parents might want to consider teaching their children about autonomous motivation which promotes greater conceptual understanding, better grades, enhanced persistence at school and in sporting activities, higher productivity, less burnout, and greater levels of psychological well-being. Parents can still rely on teaching their children the same cultural morels as they were taught growing up, but they should highly consider learning new ways to adapt autonomy to their children’s lives. In order for this change to work, parents need to add autonomy more in their parenting yet, keeping the values they think is best for their child. Autonomy for children is a growing
Toddlers and young children (approx 1 to 11 years) Children between the ages of 1 to 11 are usually quite active, but this is only if their body is getting enough vitamins and minerals, because they’re energy levels are not at the same level as adults. Toddlers and young children and need energy to be able to function and to keep themselves active as well as growth development. The energy is provided from the food you eat which contains fats, carbohydrates and also proteins which should be in their balanced diet. During childhood children need to be encouraged to eat healthy meals so they are used to eating those meals whilst growing up, for e.g. eating meat, fish, eggs, potatoes, pasta, rice and vegetables.