5 Foods To Maintain Your Child Growth

A nutritious and balanced diet is one of the most important things for a growing child. Children have high energy and nutrient needs that are different from that of adults. During the growing stage, the body needs specific vitamins and minerals for proper development.

Busy lifestyles make it difficult for many parents to find time to prepare healthy meals. But fast food and many ready-made meals do not provide the essential nutrients that children need and often have high fat and sugar content that contributes to the obesity problem among youth.

# Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are ranked as one of the most nutritious vegetables available. They are very rich in beta carotene and other carotenoids that are essential for eyesight. Also, they are a good source of vitamins A, C and E, potassium, folate, calcium, iron and fiber.

# Milk

Milk is extremely good for children. Calcium and phosphorous, the two important minerals in milk, are necessary for development of healthy bones, teeth and nails. It is also fortified with vitamin D, another important nutrient for bone health.

# Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the best vegetable sources of calcium, a very important nutrient for growing children as it helps foster peak eyesight and ward off cell damage. This healthy vegetable is also loaded with fiber, which is very essential for growing children. Other key nutrients in broccoli are iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and folic acid. It is also a good source of B vitamins, which aid digestion and improve the functioning of the nervous system.

# Eggs

Eggs are great for growing kids, mainly because of their high protein content. Protein is highly essential for growing children. Eggs are also rich in B vitamins that play an important role in brain development and functioning. Plus, eggs have omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, folate, zinc, iron and selenium.

# Cheese

Cheese is a nutritious food that growing children should eat on a regular basis. Cheese contains a good amount of calcium, protein, vitamin B12 and phosphorus. Also, cheese makes a good substitute for meat because it is a good source of high quality, easily digestible protein. Protein builds, maintains and repairs body tissue.