Kids
have busy little bodies. In addition to the same essential bodily functions
that keep adults alive and well, children are also growing and developing
tissue, organs and bones that will support them into adolescence and beyond.
It’s
important to provide kids with all the nutrients that their bodies need during
this crucial development stage. Eating a well-balanced diet that’s rich in
wholefoods like fruit and vegetables will help to ensure that they are
consuming all the vitamins and minerals that they need to grow and stay
healthy.
Here
are a few vitamins and minerals that are especially important for little
bodies:
Calcium
Calcium
is important for healthy teeth, joints, and bones, especially for children and
teenagers who are yet to reach ‘peak bone mass’, or the stage where we have a
fully developed skeleton.
Foods
that are rich in calcium include dairy products like milk, yoghurt, and cheese.
It can also be found in vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach, Chinese
cabbage, and edamame, and some legumes including white beans, red beans, and
chickpeas.
Vitamin D
Vitamin
D helps the body to absorb calcium, but it’s also important for a healthy
heart, brain, and immune system.
We
mostly get our Vitamin D from the sun, which is why it’s recommended that children
spend time outdoors in the sunshine. During the winter or periods when children
are spending time indoors, it’s often recommended that people take a Vitamin D
supplement to ensure that they’re not deficient.
Vitamin
D is also found in some foods, including fatty fish like salmon, eggs, some
mushrooms, and dairy foods. It’s also common to find grocery items that are
fortified with Vitamin D, for example, cereals and orange juice.
Vitamin A
Vitamin
A helps with the development of healthy skin, eyes, and immune health, and is
considered especially important for babies and young children.
There
are lots of different dietary sources of Vitamin A. It can be found in orange
fruits and vegetables, including sweet potato, carrots, and mangoes, as well as
other vegetables like swedes, spinach, cabbage, and broccoli. You can also get
Vitamin A from eggs, some cheeses, and oily fish like mackerel or salmon.
Vitamin C
Vitamin
C helps with the development of a healthy immune system, supporting kids in
fighting off infection. It also assists with developing and maintaining lots of
other parts of the body, like collagen, muscle, cartilage, and blood vessels,
so it’s an important vitamin for general health and wellbeing. It also helps
the body to absorb iron, another essential nutrient.
Citrus
fruits like oranges are rich in Vitamin C, but it can also be found in lots of
different fruits and vegetables, including kiwi fruit, berries, broccoli,
tomatoes, capsicum, melon, and even potatoes.
A
diet that’s full of nutrient-rich wholefoods will help to ensure your child is
getting all of the nutrients they need to grow and develop into healthy adults.
If you’re unsure or would like to find out more, speak to your doctor or visit
your local Capital Chemist Pharmacist.
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