Proper nutrition, especially in a vulnerable age of 3 to 5 years is essential for establishing health and wellbeing of the children. Proper nutrient choices will make the child feel active and give the essential energy for everyday activities.
Based on the dietary plan that was provided for a 3-year old child the analysis has shown that the calorie intake is exceeding the norm a little. However the calculations were done for a person that has a mostly sedentary way of life, which is not always true for children: most of the healthy children are quite engaged in activities and spend a lot of calories during the day. The detailed information can be seen on Chart 1.
Chart 1.
The Body Mass Index is maintained normally. The research calculated that the Body Mass Index of a person that has the given diet should be around 21.3, which is absolutely normal in the limits of 18 to 25. Obesity starts after 30.
The study has also shown that the child with a given diet consumes not enough water. The calculations show that only 51% of the normal water intake for the children of such age is consumed. Maintaining the water balance is very important for children of such age to make sure they are hydrated well and there are no stagnant processes in the body.
The research has shown that the intake of Vitamin D is very low: only 37% of the norm is consumed. Vitamin D is essential for children as they allow the calcium to be assimilated normally in the body, and calcium is an element that forms the bones and teeth. Vitamin D intake should be increased especially if the children with such a diet are not exposed to the sun and do not live in a hot climate, because Vitamin D comes to the body not only with the nutrients but also under the UV rays.
Also, the research shows that the Vitamin E is also not meeting the needs of the body. It is evaluated that the child’s intake of it is only 44%. Vitamin E is of the same importance for the child’s organism because it is responsible for protecting the immune system and fighting any unwanted viruses and microorganisms in the body. Without the Vitamin E the child can become weaker and catch illnesses more frequently. Also, Vitamin E is a good antioxidant and it helps to remove the unwanted substances from the organism.
The diet also shows that the child consumes too much iron so fruit intake can be limited and fruits such as apples may be substituted with beans, carrots and cottage cheese that will supply the abovementioned vitamins to the body.
The advantages of such diet are the following:
the child will consume enough fruit and vegetables to make sure that the required vitamins are normally supplied to the body (except the abovementioned Vitamin D and Vitamin E);
the Body Mass Index is absolutely normal if the child maintains such a diet;
the diet is low in cholesterol which is absolutely unwanted;
the minerals are supplied to the body normally and there is no deficiency in any of them.
The disadvantages include:
low water consumption;
deficiency in Vitamin D and Vitamin E;
Vitamin A and Iron are exceeding the intake norms considerably;
the calorie intake is exceeding the norm, especially when we take into account that the child is also enjoying different snacks at home.
The norms introduced for children by CACPF are good to use as a guidance for parents as they include the average norms of nutrition for the children of different age so that the parents would be able to understand which products and in what quantities should be used. Anyway, every child’s needs are individual and there is no need to strictly follow the norms given. The best option is to be attentive to the needs of the child and to listen to what products they would like to see on their table as the body is helping to decide which nutrients it needs the most. Anyway, such nutrients should be healthy and not exceed the limits of the norms.
The given diet includes almost all the products suggested by CACPF for the children of 3 to 5 years old. As for me personally it was very noticeable that the organization suggests milk and this is the only dairy product included in the menu. In my personal opinion, it is better to include various dairy products into the diet, for example cottage cheese, sour cream and yoghurt, in order to provide the child with Calcium and diversify the diet. Also, I would recommend to include all types of nuts into the diet (which is recommended by the CACPF) in order to provide the body with healthy vegetable oils and Vitamin E. I would also recommend to include fish into the diet (which is absent there) because it is a source of healthy protein and contains Omega-3 and Phosphorus.
