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. At the end of the third year of life, both girls and boys have reached about 50% of the total height they would take. During this period, they can use the glass to drink and can eat using a spoon. Decisive role in the food preferences of children and dietary patterns to follow as adults, play both the variety of dishes with different flavours, different textures and colours and the eating habits of family members and the friends of the child. At this stage of life, meals should be small and have a variety (the size of the stomach of a child this age is almost the same as when he was born). However, the opportunity should be given to the child, to decide the quantity of the food he wants to eat. Snacks should be rich in nutrients and contain fruit and vegetables (five portions a day), whole grains, yogurt, etc.. The essential nutrients that must be included in the diet of children aged 1-3 years is calcium, which provides more robust bones and helps to better development of the teeth and the increase of bone mass as the child grows, iron and zinc, Vitamin E and antioxidants needed for healthy development and finally the necessary fat to help them grow properly and the brain to be developed.