Best Food For Children's Growth

Best Food For Growing Kids

The healthiest food for kids, are the ones which are of course, healthy! The food pyramid suggests food to be taken daily, and below with the information I have researched to guide us of the food amount for the particular age of growing children.

Grains - Made up of carbohydrates, which give children energy
e.g.: bread, pasta, rice
Vegetables - Great sources of vitamins, which boost the immune system, fiber, which aids digestion.
e.g.: carrots, peas, broccoli, squash, other green leafy vegetables
Fruits - Excellent source of nutrition and vitamins which helps build healthy eyes and skin. Also a good source of fiber.
e.g.: oranges, apples, mangoes, melon, pineapple, berries
Milk - Excellent source of calcium, which helps build strong and healthy bones and teeth.
e.g.: milk, yogurt, low-fat cheese
Meat - An excellent source of iron, which provides children with energy.
e.g: chicken, liver, beef, pork, lambs and poultry

Flaxseed - This nutty plant food is packed full of Omega-3 fatty acids which are needed for optimal brain development. Flaxseed is sold whole and ground, but research suggests that ground is absorbed by the body better.

Tofu - Tofu is a great source of protein, B vitamins, calcium, and iron – all nutrients that kids often need more of for proper growth and bone health.

Sweet Potato - This spud is one of the most nutritious (and inexpensive) vegetables around. The Vitamin A in sweet potatoes keeps eyes healthy, and acts like an antioxidant in the body. Sweet potatoes are a favorite among babies because of their natural sweetness and bright color.

Fish - They protect the brain against the degeneration of capability, resulting in life in lack of memory. Some include salmon, salmon, and lettuce. Fish is an excellent option for your children, and you can serve it. Fish could be placed to tacos to get a wholesome meal and a filling. Tuna sandwiches are a favorite among youngsters.

Oatmeal - A fabulous breakfast food, full of B vitamins, iron, zinc, and calcium. Old-fashioned oatmeal offers quick energy for busy kids with its carb load and fiber count.

Eggs - Eggs are a great source of protein and other nutrients, including the B vitamins, vitamin E, and zinc. The American Heart Association's Guidelines have changed, and an egg a day (for adults) is now OK. For kids? Well, they haven’t said, so use your own good judgment.

Nuts - Nut butters are great fast foods for kids. Kids need the fat (it's a good fat if it doesn't have hydrogenated oils mixed in it) and they need the protein. And while peanuts can be problematic and even life-threatening to allergic kids, other nut butters may be OK. Check with your doctor first. Almond butter is a favorite of mine.

Yogurt - Kick your child's milk consumption up a notch and include yogurt on the menu. A great source of calcium, yogurt is easier to digest than regular milk and the cultures (check the label to make sure they're in there!) are very beneficial to good colon health -- especially if your child has been on antibiotics. Watch the sugar content, though. A better idea is to buy plain yogurt and sweeten it yourself with fresh fruit.

Melons - Cantaloupe provides vitamin C, beta-carotene, bits and pieces of B vitamins and trace minerals and calcium. Melons are not to be missed when they're plentiful and in season.

Broccoli - Kids like to call broccoli trees and sometimes you can get picky kids to eat trees rather than broccoli. Broccoli is one of the best vegetables for anyone, especially growing kids, because of its calcium content and other nutrients, such as potassium, beta-carotene and B vitamins.

Protein - One size does not fit all when it comes to protein. The fact is growing kids need protein to keep growing. How you're going to give it to them can vary widely, according to your preferences. Good choices include legumes, beans (combined with a grain to make a complete protein), soy products like tofu, meat, fish and poultry.

Whole Grains - The best nutrition is found in whole-grain foods. Brown rice and whole-wheat bread are a quantum leap over their white counterparts and offer necessary fiber, minerals and vitamins. Don't shortchange your kids with the white stuff.

Orange Juice - Kids drink too much juice. However, that doesn't mean they should never drink juice. Just don't give it to them in place of water. Orange juice is full of vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, folate and zinc. You can buy calcium-fortified orange juice too -- it's great stuff in moderation.

Keep junk foods to a minimum. Processed and packaged foods, soft drinks, and fatty foods promote obesity and health problems, as these foods have high calories but offer few-nutrition. The defects that show up in children, and later in adult age are largely due to the kind and quality of food eaten, especially during the growing period. So eat well because health is wealth!

Happy Parenting!