In the first part article of The Guide to Children Nutrition, we have included four must-have nutrition that every child should be getting on a daily basis, namely Protein, Carbohydrates, Fibre and Healthy Fats.

In the second part of the article, we will be sharing five more must-have nutrition for you to include during your meal times or snack plans so that your child can have a holistic nutrition and grow healthily!

1. Calcium

Calcium and vitamin D are essential to building strong, dense bones when you’re young, and to keep them healthy and strong as you age. It is also critical in the development of healthy teeth, as well as blood clotting, heart function and muscle function. Set your children up for healthy and stronger bones in the long run with these foods:

• Milk
• Cheese
• Yoghurt
• Egg Yolks
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Tofu

2. Folate

Folate is an essential water-soluble B vitamin, and helps children’s tissues and cell growth. It is a crucial nutrient during periods of rapid growth such as infancy and adolescence. It is especially crucial for babies as it supports the formation of the brain and spinal cord from the neural tube and plays a role in supporting your baby’s brain development.

Foods that contain high levels of folate include:

• Wholegrain cereals
• Chickpeas
• Asparagus
• Spinach
• Black or Kidney Beans
• Brussels Sprouts

3. Iron

Grow your children to be an Iron Man or Iron Woman! Iron is an essential nutrient for their body as it helps to move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, and helps muscles store and use oxygen. Without enough iron, the body can’t make haemoglobin and makes fewer red blood cells. This means tissues and organs won’t get the oxygen they need. So, make sure to include enough Iron in their diet! Foods that is high in iron:

• Red Meats
• Liver
• Poultry
• Shellfish
• Wholegrains
• Beans
• Nuts
• Iron-fortified Cereals

4. Vitamin A

Vitamin A promotes normal growth and development in children. It helps to assist the eyes in adjusting to dim and bright lights, aid in tissue and bone repair, keeps skin healthy, and works to prevent infection. Foods that contain high levels of Vitamin A include:

• Carrots
• Sweet Potatoes
• Squash
• Apricots
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Fish Oil
• Egg Yolks

5. Vitamin C

Vitamin C does more than just fighting off the common cold. It also holds the body’s cells together, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, is important for the body to heal wounds, and helps your child’s teeth and gums stay healthy. Load up with Vitamin C with these foods:

• Citrus Fruits (such as Oranges)
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Melons
• Cauliflower
• Spinach
• Papayas
• Mangoes

Round up your meals with Nuplus^®, a tasty and convenient way to bring nutritional balance to your children’s diet. It is a nutritional powerhouse full of naturally derived bioflavonoids, antioxidants, amino acids, and phytochemicals. You can mix a packet of Nuplus^® in 6–8 ounces of water, fruit juice, or enjoy it by sprinkling over cereal and oatmeal as breakfast!