Nutritional needs

Nutrition in children is not only about achieving adequate growth and development, but also about avoiding nutritional deficiencies and preventing diseases in adults that are related to diet.

During digestion, food is transformed into nutrients providing the essential energy for the proper development of the child. Rapid growth during the first year of life and its continuity until the end of adolescence entails nutritional needs greater than at any other time in life.

An inadequate supply of nutrients during infancy can cause irreparable damage to the child.

Energy needs

During the first year of life, the child grows very fast (it triples its weight) so the energy amounts are very high because it has a high basal metabolism.

Protein and amino acid requirements

Proteins are essential for tissue growth and repair. They constitute 20% of the body mass. If the protein intake in the diet is insufficient, the body consumes its own.

The nutritional value of proteins depends on the presence of essential amino acids and their ratio with non-essential ones. A protein is of high biological value when a small amount of it can provide the necessary amount of each amino acid. Examples of proteins with high biological value would be eggs, meat and soybeans. A contribution of 50% of animal and vegetable proteins must be maintained.

Fat requirements

Fats are used as the main source of energy. Saturated fatty acids are present in fats of animal origin and polyunsaturated and monounsaturated in foods of plant origin (olive oil, seeds). Among the polyunsaturated fatty acids, the benefit of omega that favor intellectual development and the retina stands out.

It is recommended that 30% of calories come from fat.

Carbohydrate needs

They are compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and are the main source of energy. They include sugars such as glucose, sucrose, fructose or lactose. They must provide 50% of the calories in the diet.

Complex carbohydrates (starch, bread, pasta and rice) are the base of the food pyramid, they give a feeling of satiety and provide fiber.

Water, vitamin and mineral needs

Water is the most important element of the body on a quantitative level. At birth it constitutes 80% and at the end of the first year of life 65% of body weight. It is very important to maintain proper hydration. During the first year of life, the water needs are very high and decrease over time.

Vitamins and minerals are obtained from food in small amounts. Its deficit or excess can cause disease.