5 must-have nutrients for your kids

Kids need the right fuel in their growth years for their complete physical & mental development. This means the food & beverages you serve to your kids must include plenty of nutrients and not too many calories, fats & sugar. The best way to feed your kids is to serve delicious, nutrient-rich foods in every meal.

Being parents, we try to give the best nutrition to our kids. There are some nutrients that should be a must in your kid's diet. But the question is which nutrients are most important for kids’ growth and why?

Here’s a quick list of 5 must-have nutrients in your kid’s diet.

1. CALCIUM

Healthy bones and teeth are required for a lifetime, therefore enough calcium intake is highly important during growth years, therefore, calcium top’s the list of nutrients for kids.

Calcium helps in building healthy bones and stronger teeth. Milk is the best source of calcium. Other sources of calcium include cheese, yoghurt, spinach, broccoli, tofu and many more.

1. FIBRE

Fibre is an essential part of everyone's diet be it a kid or a grown-up. It’s necessary, especially for kids as it keeps digestion intact. Most fruits and vegetables are fibrous. You can serve fresh fruits and vegetables to your kids, which offers the right quantity of fibre required and other essential nutrients as well for the overall growth and development of your child.

1. IRON

Iron is important for kids, especially during their growth years. It helps in the overall development of your kids as it helps the red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia and other complicated health issues located health issues. So, ensure that the food you are serving to your kids is iron-rich.

1. VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is one of the most essential nutrients which your kid’s body can’t produce by itself. Therefore, it should be obtained from the foods you serve every day. It’s essential by the body for better absorption of iron from the food that is being offered. That’s not all, vitamin C is also loaded with other health benefits. Vitamin C is also rich in antioxidants which protect the body from various health risks and helps in building a stronger immune system in their initial growth years.

1. VITAMIN D

Our kid’s bodies need vitamin D to help with bone and tooth formation because it helps in the absorption of calcium. Together they help in building better teeth, bones and that’s not all vitamin D plays a crucial role in boosting your kid’s immunity, improves the functioning of the brain and better function of the nervous system.

Apart from all these things, we also must ensure that kid’s drink enough water every day & stay hydrated! 70% of the body comprises water and it’s crucial for proper body functioning.

A well-balanced diet that includes these must-have vital nutrients, for example, dry fruits, green leafy veggies, whole grain, milk flavoring straws, fruits ensures that your kids and teens get all the necessary vitamins and minerals required during their overall growth & development.