Child Nutrition: Basic Needs (I)
For basic needs means the amount of calories, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water an individual needs to ensure its growth and maintenance of your body.
These needs are met with a balanced and varied diet.
Growth and Feeding
There are several factors that determine growth and size (height) final of a child. The genetic factor (inheritance) greatly influences but we must not forget the important relationship between growth and feeding.
It is shown that a low calorie diet (low calorie) severe carried out without the control of the doctor or nutritionist, alters the growth in two stages: if time is short malnutrition, delayed growth recovers as soon as they return to power appropriate. However, if the food deficit lasts longer, the recovery phase does not occur but is restored balanced diet with a supplement.
The consequences of malnutrition are particularly severe if it occurs at very early ages. It is important to consider both the supply of nutrients for proper growth and development, as well as to start prevention of disorders in adulthood.
Teaching proper food since childhood, with the passage of time generates eating habits that accompany the individual throughout life.
Prioritizing Food
Eating right is one that:
It is varied, consisting of the 5 food groups
Enough: because its value is related to the period of life, activity and work developed by the individual.
Is well distributed: it is done with varying intervals, not less than 4 meals a day.
It is hygienic, because it is performed following certain rules that reduce the risk of transmitting infectious diseases or toxic.
A healthy and balanced diet for a child should be formed by a variety of foods appropriate to the age, tastes, habits and physical and intellectual activity itself.
The caloric intake must be adequate to maintain normal weight, to prevent both malnutrition and obesity.
The diet should provide 60% carbohydrate, 15% protein and 25% fat.