Childhood Nutrition: Is a Healthy Diet Enough?

When might your child need nutritional supplements in his or her diet? The experts from Natures Aid explain

We can all agree that, for adults and children alike, a healthy diet is essential for good health and nutrition. A healthy, balanced diet which includes a variety of food and limits salt, sugars and saturated fats should of course be the first port of call for parents looking to give their child the very best start in life.

But if we are honest, how many of us can say that we always eat the amount of fruit and vegetables we are supposed to? And, how confident are we in the quality of the food we do eat? It is widely recognised that processing, storing and cooking foods can often deplete their nutritional value.

Many studies have shown that even healthy diets will often fall below suggested dietary intakes for key nutrients. In truth, not one of us will have a truly balanced diet. With children, it can be even more difficult to feel sure they are getting the nutrients they need.

Vitamins and supplements are no substitute for a healthy diet. However, many parents and nutritionists do advocate complementing a child’s diet with supplements. Supplementation helps to counteract both the nutrient deficiencies of food produced by modern farming techniques and the eating habits of children which mean that many nutrient dense foods are not consumed regularly enough, if at all.

Therefore, nutritional supplements for children can help to fill the gaps left by a less than ideal diet. It can be helpful to think of supplements as providing a bridge between what they should eat and what they do eat.

Children require a wide range of nutrients to ensure optimum health and wellbeing. Six of the best children’s supplements are:

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential during childhood and adolescence, where it plays a vital role in:
• The structure and development of healthy bones and teeth
• Cell growth
• The absorption and utilisation of calcium
Vitamin D is also one of the best vitamins for children’s immune systems.

Calcium
Calcium is needed for healthy bone and tooth growth and development in children. It also supports normal muscle function. Building strong bones as a child will support an individual later in life.

Vitamin C
Not only does Vitamin C support our immune systems, it plays a key role in the formation of collagen which is required for the normal function of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, teeth, gums and skin, all of which are vital for a growing child’s development.

Omega-3
Childhood is a vital period of brain growth and development. The long chain Omega-3 fatty acid DHA is recognised as essential for normal brain function. It has many important roles, including supporting:
• The maintenance of normal brain function
• Normal visual development
• Normal brain and eye development
• Normal heart function

Iron
Iron is an essential nutrient which is required to form the healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. Iron also plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy immune system and helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue. In children, one of the most important roles it plays is in supporting healthy cognitive (mental) development.

Zinc
Zinc plays an important role in supporting the immune system, however, more than 80% of the zinc present in the human body is found in bone, hair and skin and as a component of biological processes. The roles that zinc plays in protein synthesis and cognitive function are particularly important for a child’s growth and development.

If you are considering using a supplement for your child, do look for products which are healthy, with no added sugars, no artificial sweeteners, and no added colours.

Natures Aid have been manufacturing and supplying high-quality nutritional supplements since 1981. Natures Aid have become one of the UK’s favourite brands of vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Natures Aid products are manufactured in our own purpose-built factory in the UK. They have recently launched a range of vitamins and supplements called Super Stars which are aimed at children aged 4-12 years.

Visit the website at www.naturesaid.co.uk

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