Nutrition
Basics of nutrition
Parents are the key decision makers when it comes to choices about a child’s diet. It's important for children to eat healthily to make sure they're getting all the energy and nutrients they need to grow and develop properly. And since no single food or drink can provide all the nutrients they need, it is essential children have a varied diet that includes different food groups.
Tips for little tummies:
- A toddlers’ tummy is about the size of an orange so portions need to be adapted. Energy requirements are greater than adults as they grow and develop at a rapid rate.
- Tastes are different and young children are not physiologically developed to cope with high levels of salt or spices in food. Different nutrients are important in kids diet so plan ahead to get a good balance.
Benefits of calcium
Calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth. As it is not naturally produced by the body, it is important to have plenty of calcium in your child’s diet. Calcium can be found naturally in milk and dairy products. A child roughly needs 3 portions of dairy foods a day (or calcium rich alternatives) to ensure that calcium needs are reached.
Munch Bunch products are a source of calcium to help your child develop healthy bones and teeth.
Benefits of vitamins
Vitamins and minerals are nutrients your body needs in small amounts to work properly and stay healthy. They have a major impact on overall health. Vitamin D for instance helps the body absorbing calcium from milk or dairy products.
Growing children often don’t get enough Vitamin D. Munch Bunch products are fortified with Vitamin D to make sure calcium is being used efficiently by the body.
Benefits of protein
Protein is important to help the body build, repair and maintain body tissues. Protein is made up of different amino acids - like beads on a chain – with different amino acids linking up to make different types of protein.
Some amino acids are essential meaning they cannot be produced by the body. Meat, eggs, poultry and dairy foods provide the full mix of these essential amino acids and are known as high biological value proteins. If your children are vegetarian or dairy intolerant, make sure they eat a variety of alternative protein sources to ensure they are not missing out on the essential amino acids (https://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/helpingyoueatwell/veganandvegetarian.html).
Notes
Sugars are a type of carbohydrate and are the fastest releasing source of energy. They can be found naturally in fruits and dairy foods, and can be added for texture and flavour. Sugars can be included as part of a balanced diet, and the amount of sugar is clearly shown on food labels to allow informed choices to be made.
