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At each stage, the baby's body has different needs due to the different mechanism of using nutrients by the body. Therefore, having a complete and age-appropriate nutritional diet will help children develop comprehensively both physically and intellectually.
Video content is professionally consulted by Doctor Children's Center, Vinmec Times City International Hospital
1. The role of nutrients in the development of children
From 6 to 12 months old, children from 6 months old need 710 kcal/day. Energy supply is allocated 50% for basic metabolic needs, 25% for activity and 25% for development. Meanwhile, at the stage of 1-2 years old, children begin to have physical activities such as crawling, learning to walk, playing with toys... Children's energy needs at this stage are 100-110cal/kg weight. heavy. The energy provided by children's meals includes: Powder like flour, porridge, protein, fat, milk... The ratio of energy-producing ingredients should be: Protein: Fat: Powdered sugar = 15:20:65.
At this stage, some important micronutrients need to be supplemented at high levels. For example, zinc affects growth and digestion, especially zinc helps stimulate taste buds, perfect enzyme structure and balance intestinal microflora, need 8-10mg/day. Iron participates in the process of hematopoiesis, needs 7-8mg/day. Calcium and phosphorus to build bones, teeth, physiological functions need 500-600mg a day...
Parents need to rely on the needs of their children's micronutrients to design a menu suitable for their needs. young. In parallel with breastfeeding at this stage, formula can be added to suit the baby's taste.
2. Nutritional menu for children by age
Currently, there are many rich and easy-to-follow menus shared by nutritionists or experienced breastfeeding mothers. Parents with young children can choose and apply the menu that is suitable for their family conditions. However, there are some general principles that parents can apply in each stage:
Children from 6 to 12 months old: At this stage, the food needs to go from liquid to solid, smooth to fluffy and finished. Combine raw chewing with self-directed weaning. The essential food group for children needs enough carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber, of which powdered sugar should account for the highest percentage. At this time, breastfeeding is still maintained, so the baby still needs enough and the mother should note that she should add water to her baby during this period, from 100 to 120ml of water every day. The period from 1 to 2 years old: At this stage, the mother applies the principle of Protein: Fat: Powdered sugar = 15: 20: 65 and it is extremely important to pay attention to supplementing essential vitamins and minerals for the baby. This stage is the period when the baby begins to chew with his teeth, so the food needs to be processed in a rough way so that the baby can get used to chewing and swallowing. A lot of skills and brain reflexes will form during this period, so mothers need to pay special attention to supplementing with micronutrients that play an important role in the formation and structure of the brain, determining the intelligence of children. Children such as zinc, iron, calcium ... Especially in this period, children are prone to anorexia, so it is extremely important to supplement zinc to help children eat well, sleep well, and digest well. Zinc is abundant in seafood such as oysters, red meat such as beef, pork and some nuts (zinc is mainly in the seed germ, easily lost during the milling process, moreover, the high phytate content in the grain inhibits absorption. zinc collection). If you want to supplement with zinc-containing supplements, you need to consult a specialist. Stage 2 - 3 years old: At this stage, children can eat rice, because the baby teeth have gradually completed, processed foods should be in a raw form, with a balance between nutritional groups. Because at this age children also become hyperactive, parents need to adjust the appropriate amount of food, the number of meals and snacks to ensure that the child has energy to work all day.
3. General notes in the menu for children through each stage
The stage of children from 6 months old to 3 years old is considered by nutritionists to be the golden stage of child development because at this stage, children not only complete physical development steps but also begin to complete their cognitive development. know the world, enter the stage of psychological development.
Meanwhile, at this stage, the immune system in the child's body is still gradually perfecting, the child may be prone to health problems, especially problems related to digestion, immunity. The adequate supply of necessary nutrients to the child's body at this stage is likely to affect the entire resistance, immunity and brain development of the child in the following stages. With good immunity, comprehensive development, the baby will surely have a healthy and stable future.
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