The truth for all ages!
The children`s meals should include a variety of foods from each food group (breads and cereals, vegetables, fruits, meat and meat substitutes, milk and dairy products) in appropriate quantities in order to offer all the nutrients they need.
What are the most important nutritional issues for adolescents?
The very rapid growth during puberty, determine the demand for nutrients during this period. This is the age of 11-15 years for girls and 13-16 for boys.
What is the most important nutritional issues for children of school age?
After the age of four years, the energy required per kilogram of body weight of the child is reduced, but the total daily amount of calories required increases as the child grows.
What are the most important nutritional issues for children aged 1-3 years?
During childhood, growth at a steady pace, means that the needs for all nutrients are gradually increased.
Ablactation, a special moment
Except the mother’s (or standard) milk, a baby should begin to eat other foods at about the age of four to six months old. The teeth start to come out and about at this age, the infant gradually develops the ability to swallow solid foods.
Carbohydrates, sugars and dietary fiber
Carbohydrates are the main fuel of the human body, for both children and adults. They should cover the 55% of daily energy needs and to derive, to the largest percentage, from complex carbohydrates like starch. Glucose derived from the decomposition of this molecule is the basic energy source of muscles and brain. Simple sugars are [...]
Proteins
Proteins are an important source of nitrogen for the human body: the protein intake should cover both the physiological needs for nitrogen and the growth and the formation of new tissue. Furthermore, proteins with carbohydrates and fat are used by the body as an energy source. Both children from 2 years of age, and adults [...]
Calorie intake and physical activity
The need for calories consumption varies with age, body weight, physical activity and body composition. The last factor is changing dramatically, especially during childhood and adolescence, the ratio between active organs and muscles. Both organs, such as brain, heart, liver and kidney, as the muscle tissue is considered as “low in fat mass and use [...]
Educating children at the table
It often seems impossible for parents to delight children with the food they offer. There is no child however, that can resist to a plate of Penne Rigate pasta with tomato sauce and basil or cheese.
Water sports and nutrition
Swimming, water polo and diving, windsurfing, water skiing and sailing, more and more sports excite the interest of the world. Before you serve to some of these intense activities, regardless of the level of your fitness, it would be a good idea to learn and adopt some major nutritional rules.