Parents and grandparents are wonderful people when it comes to their kids. They want nothing more than the absolute best for their children and grandchildren.
However, even though they sacrifice a lot for the children in their lives, they can sometimes makes mistakes. Without even knowing it, this could lead to a less than healthy diet consistently consumed by these kids that mean so much to them.
It is tough to create a desired result without knowing the path that can take you there. When you go on vacation to a location you have never been before, you map out the trip ahead of time. The same is possible if you want the children in your life to be as healthy as possible. Here are a few of the guidelines recommended by health and nutrition experts when it comes to children.
Nutrition Recommendations for Infants
For the first 6 months of life, your infant child should have only formula or breast milk. This guarantees proper nutrition, and usually, your baby will consume breast milk more naturally and quickly than formula. This could mean nursing your child as many as 8 to 12 times per day, roughly every 2 to 3 hours.
Feeding your baby formula means your child will probably need to eat around 6 to 8 times per day. This is every 3 to 4 hours. At this age, your child should not sleep more than 4 hours at night without feeding, 5 hours if you are using formula rather than breast milk.
Nutrition for Toddlers
The toddler years are a time to transition away from bottles and formula, and move toward more independent eating. Depending on the size and weight of a toddler, somewhere between 1,000 and 1,400 calories are going to need to be consumed each day. Opt for organic and fresh fruits and vegetables whenever you can, whole grains, nuts and berries, and steer clear of processed foods as much as possible. A recommendation for a 2-year-old would be the following amounts of foods in one day:
- 1 cup of fruit
- 2 ounces of meat or beans
- 1 or 2 cups of milk
- 3 ounces of healthy grains
- 1 cup of vegetables
- Include water throughout the day as well
Nutrition Tips for Teens
Puberty and the multiple physiological changes going on inside your teen mean more calories need to be consumed. Every cell in the human body requires protein, especially at this important time in your child’s life. Whole grains, vegetables, fruits and lean meats are recommended. Wild-caught fish and grass-fed beef are significant sources of protein and other healthy nutrients your teen’s body craves.
- Teenage boys need between 2,200 and 3,200 cal a day.
- Girls in their teen years should eat 2,000 to 2,400 calories each day.
Limit the trips to McDonald’s and the consumption of other processed foods, keep sugar and salt intake to a minimum, and eat as many raw and organic foods as possible. Teens need to drink water throughout the day, as opposed to soft drinks and energy drinks.