How much protein is enough for children?

The article was written by Dr. Phan Nguyen Thanh Binh, Head of Nutrition - Dietetics Department, Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Protein - Protein is one of the important nutrients, necessary for the growth and development of the child's body. However, how to use the right amount of protein for the child's body in each daily meal, to help children grow healthy and grow quickly is something that parents need to pay attention to.

Protein, also known as protein, is an essential nutrient for the development of a child's body. Protein plays a very important role in the formation, maintenance and replacement of aging cells in the body; at the same time participate in functional components such as enzymes, hormones, antibodies, blood,...; participate in the metabolism and provide energy,... Therefore, a diet poor in protein will cause the child's body to be severely malnourished; children with developmental delays, especially in height; anemia; reduced resistance; susceptible to infection,...

Protein requirements vary by age and gender. It is necessary to provide a balanced ratio of energy-producing macronutrients including protein, starch, and fat. Starch and fat provide energy for the body to use protein to build and regenerate tissue. If you eat too much protein, lack starch and fat, the body must use protein for energy, this process will produce many toxins, affecting the liver and kidneys. This is the mistake of parents, mothers often like to give their children a lot of nutritious food: Meat, fish, shrimp, crab, ... and provide a lack of basic energy sources for children, which is starch (porridge, flour). ), fat (edible oil); This will slow down the child's growth. At the same time, protein is also a nutrient with a high risk of causing allergies. This is also one of the main causes of growth retardation in children.

Meat, fish, eggs, milk, legumes, especially soybeans are food sources of protein. But each type of food has different nutritional advantages.
Milk, eggs are the 2 food sources with the highest biological value. In addition, the lactose in milk also helps the absorption of calcium - a substance that is essential for the growth of children's height. Children should drink at least 600-800 ml of milk per day. Parents often make the mistake of wanting to give their children fish and meat early and reduce their milk intake. This also happens in preschool, where the school feeds children more than milk. Children spend more time at school than at home, accidentally, children will have a decrease in milk production when they go to school.
Besides, the habit of limiting the number of eggs to 2 per week is also a mistake. Children who are in the growth phase will need cholesterol to build cell membranes as well as nerve fibers. Parents can feed their children 1-2 eggs/day which is still very good. Eggs are also rich in vitamin A, which is very good for the development of the immune system as well as the baby's vision. Eggs are soft, easy to chew foods, so children often prefer to choose eggs over meat, which is equally important when mothers are looking for ways to provide protein sources for children.
Fish is a rich source of omega 3 or DHA, which is very good for neurological and visual development, so we should give our children fish every day or at least 3 times a week. Tofu is also a source of protein with high biological value, even equivalent to eggs, we can add a little young tofu into the child's menu every day.
Meat provides many essential amino acids that other foods do not have and contains a lot of iron. If you don't give your child meat, they will easily become anemic.
Therefore, the balance between protein sources of meat, fish, tofu, eggs, and milk is very important for the development of children.
Recommended protein and essential amino acid requirements for children:

For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
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