| The types of foods that we will feed our children | | | | 1. You should include starchy foods in their menu |
| in their early years and during their childhood will | | | | such as cereals, bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. |
| influence their eating habits, health and weight in | | | | They should form the basis of any child's diet and |
| later life. So in this article we will look at how to | | | | besides from being a source of energy they can |
| prepare eating healthy menu plans for your child. | | | | contribute fiber, B Vitamins, Calcium and Iron to |
| Nutrition is an important part of our diets through | | | | their diet as well. If you can use whole meal, |
| all stages of life and nutritional requirements will | | | | wholegrain or brown bread, as well as whole meal |
| vary depending on each person's personal needs. | | | | pasta and brown rice as this will increase their |
| For example, babies, toddlers and children will need | | | | fiber intake. |
| energy and adequate amounts of certain nutrients | | | | 2. Include protein in their diet. This can be gained |
| to help with normal growth and development. So | | | | from meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, |
| a healthy well balanced diet that provides lots of | | | | soya and nuts. Plus they will also contain minerals |
| variety is essential to ensure that all their | | | | and vitamins which are essential to a child as they |
| nutritional requirements are met. | | | | grow. It is best to use the leaner pieces of meat |
| Today more than ever child obesity has become | | | | (so trim off any visible fat and remove the skin |
| a growing concern the world over and | | | | from chicken). |
| somewhere between 40-69% of children are | | | | 3. Fish. Make this part of your child's diet such as |
| largely inactive and are spending less than 1 hour | | | | mackerel, sardines or salmon (oil rich fish) as they |
| a day participating in physical activity. But although | | | | contain essential fatty acids. |
| energy is needed because of their rapid growth, | | | | 4. Iron. This can gained through read meat or |
| children also need to be active to help maintain a | | | | green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts and fortified |
| healthy weight but it will also improve their bone | | | | breakfast cereals. Plus try and get them to drink |
| structure. | | | | a glass of orange juice with their meal as this will |
| But when planning any sort of healthy menu for | | | | help them to absorb more iron from their food |
| your children you should remember that they | | | | and it also counts as one of their 5 daily portions |
| should enjoy their food and both eating and | | | | of fruit and vegetables. |
| mealtimes should be pleasurable. | | | | |