The nutritional needs of a child are more than that of an adult. Childhood is an important phase of physical growth, cognitive development and maturation of immunity. 60% of an adult's standing height is achieved by 5 years. 90% of the human brain is developed before age 6. A child's immune system continues to grow until age of 5. An unbalanced diet results in a nutrition gap leading to low resistance to day to day infections due to a weakened immune system. Also the child fails to reach its full potential of growth and development with the added risk of obesity.
So the million dollar question is "How can one fit so much nutrition into a small tummy?"
Food group | 1 to 3 years | 4 to 6 years |
---|---|---|
Cereals and grains | 2 cups per day | 4 to 6 cups per day |
Vegetables | 2 cups per day | 3 cups per day |
Fruits | 1 fruit/ a tall glass of fruit milkshake or smoothie/ a fruit bowl | |
Protein | 1 cup pulses per day plus 1 portion(50 g) egg/fish/meat | |
Dairy | 500 ml milk and dairy all inclusive |
Article by Dr Lakshmi Prashanth, MD (AIIMS)
Consultant Pediatrician
Kauvery Hospital
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