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WHAT SHOULD CHILDREN BE EATING TO OPTIMIZE THEIR HEALTH, VITALITY, LONGEVITY, ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE?

Writer's picture: mmgmainmmgmain

A comprehensive and balanced diet is essential for optimizing children's health, vitality, longevity, and athletic performance. The following components, along with their specific benefits and food sources, make up a well-rounded diet for children:

  1. Fruits and vegetables: Provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that support overall health, digestion, and immune function. Incorporate a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables such as berries, oranges, leafy greens, carrots, and bell peppers.

  2. Whole grains: Supply fiber, B vitamins, and minerals that promote digestion, energy production, and overall health. Examples include whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa, oats, and barley.

  3. Lean proteins: Essential for muscle growth and repair, immune function, and hormone regulation. High-quality protein sources include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, legumes, and nuts.

  4. Dairy products or calcium-rich alternatives: Provide calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients crucial for bone health and growth. Options include low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, cheese, or calcium-fortified plant-based alternatives like almond milk or soy milk.

  5. Healthy fats: Support brain development, hormone production, and cell function. Incorporate sources of healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish like salmon and mackerel.

  6. Adequate hydration: Crucial for athletic performance, cognitive function, and overall health. Encourage children to drink water regularly and consume water-rich fruits and vegetables like cucumber and watermelon.

  7. Vitamins and minerals: Key for growth, development, and overall health. Ensure adequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals like iron (found in lean meats, beans, and fortified cereals), vitamin D (found in fortified dairy products and fatty fish), and vitamin C (found in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers).

  8. Fiber: Promotes digestive health, satiety, and healthy blood sugar levels. Good sources include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and legumes.

  9. Electrolytes: Important for maintaining hydration, especially during athletic activities. Sources of electrolytes include fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. In some cases, sports drinks may be appropriate for children engaged in prolonged, high-intensity exercise.

  10. A balanced diet should also limit the consumption of added sugars, unhealthy fats, and processed foods to maintain overall health and well-being.

Please note that individual dietary needs, preferences, and any allergies or intolerances should be considered. Consult a registered dietitian or healthcare professional for personalized guidance on the best dietary choices for children.

Here are some reputable sources based on my training data up to September 2021 that can be helpful for further reading and research on the components of a healthy diet for children:

Fruits and vegetables:

U.S. Department of Agriculture (2020). MyPlate. https://www.myplate.gov/

Whole grains:

Aune, D., Keum, N., Giovannucci, E., Fadnes, L. T., Boffetta, P., Greenwood, D. C., ... & Norat, T. (2016). Whole grain consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMJ, 353, i2716. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i2716

Lean proteins:

Paddon-Jones, D., & Rasmussen, B. B. (2009). Dietary protein recommendations and the prevention of sarcopenia. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 12(1), 86-90. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0b013e32831cef8b

Dairy products or calcium-rich alternatives:

Golden, N. H., Abrams, S. A., & Committee on Nutrition (2014). Optimizing bone health in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 134(4), e1229-e1243. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-2173

Healthy fats:

Swanson, D., Block, R., & Mousa, S. A. (2012). Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA: Health benefits throughout life. Advances in Nutrition, 3(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.111.000893

Adequate hydration:

Kavouras, S. A. (2019). Hydration, dehydration, underhydration, optimal hydration: Are we barking up the wrong tree? European Journal of Nutrition, 58(2), 471-473. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-01908-8

Vitamins and minerals:

Institute of Medicine (2001). Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/10026

Fiber:

Dahl, W. J., & Stewart, M. L. (2015). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Health Implications of Dietary Fiber. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(11), 1861-1870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2015.09.003

Electrolytes:

Sawka, M. N., Burke, L. M., Eichner, E. R., Maughan, R. J., Montain, S. J., & Stachenfeld, N. S. (2007). American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(2), 377-390. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31802ca597


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