What You Need To Know About Childhood Nutrition

Dietary/Nutrition Guidance

Proper diet and nutrition fuel your child’s growth and development. It can be difficult for parents to know what a proper diet is for children. Fast food, snacks, and sugary treats are often a big part of a poor diet. Drs. Brian DuMais, Megan Dwyer, and Liz Dahlberg at DuMais Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL, offer comprehensive pediatric medicine services, including dietary and nutritional guidance for children.

What You Need To Know About Childhood Nutrition

As your child grows and develops, vitamins and nutrients are needed to make sure your child is doing well. Vital organs including the brain need proper nutrition to function. Muscles, bones, and tissues need proper nutrition to grow strong.

So, what is proper nutrition? It starts with consuming the right amount of calories. According to healthychildren.org, children should consume:

• 1000 calories, if your child is 2-3 years old
• 1200-1400 calories, if your child is 4-8 years old
• 1400-1600 calories for girls, and 1600-2000 calories for boys 9-13 years old
• 1800 calories for girls, and 2000-2400 calories for boys 14-18 years old

The right amount of calories can help prevent obesity and malnutrition. You also want to make sure the calories your child eats contain vital nutrients. Calories shouldn’t come from snack foods or “empty calories” contained in fast food.

You should try to limit:

• Sugary foods like sodas and candy
• High-fat foods like fast food
• Empty calories that contain few nutrients, like chips and snacks

A proper diet for children should include:

• Lean proteins like turkey, chicken, and fish
• Fruits, including whole fruits, not fruit juices
• Vegetables, including green leafy vegetables
• Whole grains, including rice, whole wheat, and quinoa
• Low-fat dairy products including cheese, milk, and yogurt

To view and print a fun Children’s Food Pyramid Coloring Page, please click here:

Want To Know More?

To learn more about dietary and nutritional guidance for children, talk with the experts. Call Drs. Brian DuMais, Megan Dwyer, and Liz Dahlberg at DuMais Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL. You can reach them in the office by calling (708) 364-1600, so call today.