5 nutrient that should, must be on a child’s plate

Every parent aims for their child to consume a balanced diet. Despite our best efforts, we sometimes fail to analyze the nutrition deficiencies they have. Carefully monitoring a child's diet is important to support healthy development, and maintain stable growth. Regular growth assessment is helpful in maintaining adequate dietary intake and physical growth.

Five nutrients that are a must on a child’s plate:

1. Protein: There are many myths and misconceptions around this particular macronutrients. More than 73% of urban kids are deficient in protein. In reality, protein produces the enzymes that generate many chemical reactions and powers oxygenation. It is a critical macronutrient that provides both essential and nonessential amino acids required for sustaining all body functions and procedures, providing the structural basis to maintain life and healthy development and growth in children.
   
   
2. Carbohydrates: We have seen many adults run away from crabs, and sometimes even young kids are also prohibited to consume this essential macro. Sugars, starches, and fibers are three types of carbohydrates. Kids need carbs to make energy. For an organ that takes up only two percent of the body mass, the brain utilizes up to 20 percent of energy.  Starchy foods, whole-grain bread, fibers in vegetables and fruits are the best sources of complex carbohydrates. These release energy slowly and maintain optimal brain functioning.
   
   
3. Healthy Fats: Young kids require essential healthy fats in their diet for stable brain development.  Fat is used in the body as fuel and helps the body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K. Unsaturated fats are known to be the healthiest fats. They include polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats which are crucial for brain, nerve, and eye development in infants.
   
   
4. Iron: Iron is necessary to build healthy blood that carries oxygen to cells all over the body. It's also vital for growth and development, immune functioning and wound healing. Iron deficiency known as anaemia can lead to cognitive and motor delays. The daily requirement for iron is greater in early childhood than during adulthood. Your child's iron needs range from 7 to 15 milligrams per day, depending on his gender and age.

Calcium: We all know the importance of calcium in bone development and strengthening. It is also responsible for muscle functioning, intracellular signalling, nerve transmission and hormone secretion. For growing children, getting enough calcium is crucial to build bone mass, which may help guard against osteoporosis and fractures later in life.