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Definition of food and

nutrition
Nutrients for the growing years

What is food and nutrition?

n What

we offer children and what they eat have

a great deal to do with their health and growth.
But whether they actually eat what we serve
depends on more than what we choose to lay
before them. Their own tastes and preferences,
their moods, and what they learn from people
around them determine what and how much
they eat. The following slides provide
information on the nutrients young children
need for the most important growing years, the
early years.
Dietz, W. and Stern, L. (2012). Eds. Nutrition: What every parent needs to know. (2nd edition)

Nutrients for the growing years

nCarbohydrates

and fats provide energy for

growing and physical activity. Through the
school years children will have periods of
rapid growth and big appetites. When
growth slows, appetites will decrease and
children may want less food at meals and
snacks.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Nutrients for the growing years

nProteins

builds, maintains, and repairs body

tissue. It is especially important for growth.
Milk and other dairy products, poultry, fish,
pork, and beef are examples of good
protein sources.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Nutrients for the growing years

nA

variety of vitamins and minerals support

growth and development during childhood.
Calcium from milk and dairy products and
some dark green leafy vegetables is usually
sufficient for young children. The nutrients
to specifically watch are calcium, iron, zinc,
protein, vitamin B-12 and vitamin D.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Nutrients for the growing years

nIron

deficiency anemia can be a problem

for some children. Iron is an oxygen
carrying component of blood. Children
need iron because of rapidly expanding
blood volume during growth. Meats, fish,
poultry, and enriched breads and cereals
are the best sources of dietary iron.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Nutrients for the growing years

nVitamins

A and C come from many different

fruits and vegetables. They are important
for healthy skin, growth, and fighting
infections. The B vitamins come from a
variety of foods including grain products,
meat and meat substitutes, and dairy
products. They promote healthy growth in a
variety of ways.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Childrens Food Guide Pyramid

Image retrieved April 15, 2015 from https://www.littlesteps.eu/index.php/healthy-eating/about-the-food-pyramid/

Childrens Food Guide Pyramid

At the base of the pyramid is the grain group. Most of a childs

food comes from this group. Grains are important for providing
vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, and fiber.

The next level includes fruits and vegetables, which also provide
vitamins, minerals, and fiber and are good for quick energy.

The next level is the milk group, which are vital for providing
calcium for a growing child.

The meat group includes many protein sources that are not meat
such as eggs, beans, peas and peanut butter, poultry and fish
which provide protein, iron and zinc in the diet.

At the top of the pyramid is a small area that depicts foods with
mostly fat and sugar. These foods contain many calories but few
vitamins and minerals so should be minimized in a childs diet.

Elbirt, P. Dr. Paulas Good Nutrition Guide for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. (2001).

Nutrients for the growing years

nParents

should provide a variety of foods

and establish regular meal and snack times
and encourage physical activity for their
children. In most cases, nutrient and energy
needs will be adequately met.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Nutrients for the growing years

nGrowing

and physically active children

need snacks, but poor snack choices lead
to too many calories and not enough
nutrients. Caretakers must help children
make nutritious snack choices. Safe food
handling and preparation is an important
part of snacking.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Nutrients for the growing years

nChildhood

nutrition has a significant

influence on health and development
throughout life. As children grow, their
nutritional needs are much greater than
those of adults and the consequences of a
poor diet will be long lasting. A good diet
will protect against everyday illness and
ensure the development of strong bones
and teeth, firm muscles and healthy tissues.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Vegetarianism
nChoosing

to bring up your child as a

vegetarian or not, is almost totally
dependent on others for its food. Children
between ages 1 and 5 are naturally
sensitive to the use of animals for food and
occasionally refuse all meats even if their
parents arent vegetarian. It is vital that
children have a well balanced diet, as this is
a time of rapid growth and development.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Sugar and teeth

nChildren

naturally like the taste of sugar and

sweet foods. Though sugary foods do provide
calories, they have little else of nutritional
value and a major cause of tooth decay. It may
not be practical to band sugar altogether from
a child's diet, but it should be limited to
discourage the development of a sweet tooth
now. Healthy desserts such as yogurt, soy
puddings, and rice pudding is fine and better
than using artificial additives for sweetness.
Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Milk
nChildren

under two should not be given

semi-skimmed milk and children under five
should not be given skimmed milk because
it lacks the fat soluble vitamins A and D.
Young children also need the energy from
fat. Soy milk should be fortified with
calcium, vitamin B and vitamin D if used as
an alternative to cows milk for young
children.
Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Salt
nSalt

should be avoided in the diet of young

children as their kidneys are not mature
enough to cope with large amounts. Many
common foods such as cheese,
manufactured soup, packet meals, and
bread are quite high in added salt.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Nuts
nWhole

nuts and seeds must be avoided

until the age of 5 as young children can
easily choke on them. Ground or pureed
nuts and seeds are fine and nutritious, for
example smooth peanut butter, tahini or
ground almonds.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Developmentally appropriate ways

to promote wellness for infants
When it comes to nutrition, the best first
food for infants is breast milk. Human milk
contains just the right amount of fatty
acids, lactose, water and amino acids for
human digestion, brain development and
growth.
Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Breast milk or formula

nBreast-fed

infants have lower rates of

hospital admissions, ear infections,
diarrhea, rashes, allergies, pneumonia,
bronchitis, influenza, German measles and
other medical problems than bottle-fed or
formula-fed babies.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Breast milk or formula

nAbout

80% of the cells in breast milk kill

bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Human milk
straight from the breast is not contaminated
by polluted water, dirty bottles, which can
also lead to diarrhea in the infant. Sucking
at the breast can also promote good jaw
development, as the exercise of suckling
strengthens the jaws and encourages the
growth of straight healthy teeth.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Breast milk or formula

nAlthough

breast milk is still the best

nourishment for infants, infant formula is a
close enough second that babies not only
survive but thrive. Commercially prepared
formulas are regulated by the FDA. If the
mother cannot or chooses not to breastfeed, normal full-term infants should get a
conventional cows milk based formula.
Infant formulas in the US are either ironfortified or low iron.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Breast milk or formula

nThe

main alternative to cows milk formula

is soy formula. The carbohydrates in most
soy formulas are sucrose and corn syrup,
which are easily digested and absorbed by
infants. Healthy full-term infants should be
given soy formula only when medically
necessary.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Premature babies
nPremature

babies are often sent home on

formula that is higher in calories and made
especially to help replace deficits common
to prematurity. If the new mother is breastfeeding, human milk fortifiers can be used
to help tiny babies gain weight. Premature
babies need to take vitamins and minerals
such as iron, zinc, or magnesium because
they missed out on a lot of intrauterine
development.
Elbirt, P. Dr. Paulas Good Nutrition Guide for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. (2001).

Introducing solid foods to infants

n There

is ongoing research on when is the best time

to introduce solid foods. It is best to wait until at
least 6 months of age for most solid foods to ensure
the digestive tract is mature enough to digest
complex proteins, fats and carbohydrates. At 6
months, most infants are able to sit and to swallow
non-liquid foods. Younger babies have what is
called an extrusion reflex, which can prevent them
from swallowing- and possibly choking on- solids,
this reflex disappears between 4 and 6 months.
Kalnins, D. and Saab, J. (2008). Better baby food: your essential guide to nutrition, feeding and
cooking for all babies and toddlers, 2nd edition.

Please review the following chart as it explains when

+ to introduce solid foods to infants at various ages.
3-5 mos

4-6 mos

4-6 mos

5 mos +

6 mos +

8-12 mos

Cereals

Vegetables

Fruits

Meats

Egg yolks

Table foods

Use the dry

form from the
box, rather
than the jar

Feed only from

a spoon. Never
mix in babys
bottle.

Start with
bananas,
applesauce,
pears or
peaches.

May be added
2-3 weeks after
fruits.

Only
introduce
after 6 mos
of age.

Offer soft bland

foods first. Cut
or mash foods
into bite sized
pieces.

Use single
cereals rather
than mixed
cereals

Introduce 2-3
weeks after
starting
cereals

Introduce 2-3
weeks after
starting
veggies

A meat and
veggie mix
may be used.

Avoid nuts,
popcorn, whole
grapes or hot
dogs.

Begin using
rice cereal

Introduce one
veggie at a
time

Use of an infant
feeder isnt
suggested.

Begin w/
chicken or
turkey and
veggie.

Feed cereal
only from a
spoon

Squash, sweet
potato, green
beans or
carrots are
suggested.

Feed only from

a spoon. Never
mix fruits in
babys bottle.

Do not use
dinners. They
contain little
meat and much
starch.

The white of
the egg is
more apt to
cause an
allergic
reaction so
do not
introduce
until after
the childs
first
birthday.

Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook. (2009). 2nd Edition.

Should be
given while
child is sitting
at table w/
family

Indications your child is ready for

solid foods
1.

She can sit up in a high chair.

2.

She can hold her head up.

3.

She opens her mouth wide when offered food on a spoon.

4.

She turns her head away from food when she is full or
disinterested.

5.

She uses her lips to remove food from the spoon.

6.

She can control her tongue so that it does not push food
back out of her mouth.

7.

She looks at you with interest when you are eating.

Kalnins, D. and Saab, J. (2008). Better baby food: your essential guide to nutrition, feeding and cooking for all
babies and toddlers, 2nd edition.