8 vitamins and minerals to help children eat well

Anorexia is a common condition in young children. Children do not eat for a long time will make the body lack nutrients and cause malnutrition. Therefore, finding the vitamins and minerals that help your baby eat well is a necessary job to help your baby grow healthy.

All mothers want their baby to grow up healthy and intelligent. However, not many mothers know vitamins and minerals that help stimulate their baby's appetite. Join aFamilyToday Health, refer to the following article to know how to help your baby grow fast and healthy.

When to add vitamins and minerals for children?

Nutritionists and pediatric experts recommend vitamin and mineral supplements for the following children:

Children do not eat a regular, well-balanced diet of fresh foods

Children are picky eaters

Children with chronic medical conditions such as asthma or eating disorders, especially if they are taking medication (but you should consult your doctor before deciding to give your child additional nutrients during treatment)

Children often eat fast foods, convenience foods or canned foods

Vegetarian (iron deficient) and lactating (calcium deficient) children or certain other foods

Children who drink too much soft drink can lose vitamins and minerals.

What vitamins and minerals should you give your child?

Here are the vitamins and minerals that are important in a child's development and dietary supplements:

Vitamin A

Vitamin A plays a role in the normal growth and development of cells, tissues and bones, not only that, vitamin A is also good for human skin, eyes and immune system. Good sources of vitamin A include milk, cheese, eggs, and orange-colored vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin.

Vitamin B1

This is a vitamin that plays an important role in converting sugars and carbohydrates into energy for your baby's body. In addition, this vitamin is also very good for the cardiovascular and nervous system. If the baby lacks vitamin B1 , the baby will develop symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, constipation, insomnia ...

The amount of vitamin B1 to supplement for children:

1-3 years: 0.5 mg / day

4 - 8 years: 0.6 mg / day

Foods rich in vitamin B1 you should add to your baby every day to help them eat well: wheat, rice, asparagus, mushrooms, red meat ...

Zinc

This is a mineral that the body cannot synthesize. Therefore, you must supplement your baby through diet. When zinc is deficient, the baby's taste buds will decrease . As a result, the baby does not feel any appetite. This can lead to anorexia.

The amount of zinc should add to the baby every day:

1-3 years: 3 mg / day

4 - 8 years: 5 mg / day

Foods rich in zinc are black beans, bean sprouts, oysters, beef, sesame ...

Vitamin B12 helps children eat well

This vitamin helps the body to quickly turn food into energy for daily activities. Besides, it also helps fat and protein to be converted. Hence, the health of liver, hair, skin and eyes is guaranteed. If you notice signs of fatigue, pale skin, loss of appetite, or a lack of food, your baby may be deficient in vitamin B12 .

Vitamin B12 should be supplemented every day

1-3 years: 0.9 mg / day.

4 - 8 years: 1.2 mg / day.

Foods high in vitamin B12: cauliflower, papaya, kiwi, eggs ...

Vitamin C

Vitamin C supports muscles, connective tissue and skin. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwis, tomatoes, and green vegetables like broccoli.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D enhances the body's ability to absorb other vitamins and minerals, especially iron, vitamin A, phosphorus and calcium. If your  baby is deficient in vitamin D, he may develop rickets or osteoporosis. Every day, your baby needs a supplement of vitamin D:

Under 6 months: 400 IU / day

6 - 12 months: 400 IU / day

1-3 years: 600 UI / day

Seafood, vegetable oils, oats, orange juice and mushrooms are very rich in vitamin D. Please pay attention to the above vitamins and minerals to supplement your baby every day. In addition, your baby should also eat 2-3 yogurt jars (100ml / day) per day. This helps to supplement probiotics, enhance digestion, prevent the risk of anorexia and diseases such as diarrhea, constipation ... for young children. However, do not forget to read the information on the product packaging to ensure safety.

Calcium

Calcium helps build strong bones during a child's development. It is found in milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu and orange juice.

Iron

Iron helps in the production of muscles and red blood cells. Iron deficiency is very dangerous for adolescents, especially girls at the onset of their menstrual cycle. Good sources of iron include beef and red meats like turkey, pork, spinach, beans and prunes.

In addition to the vitamins and minerals listed above, there is also a megavitamin on the market, which is a harmless multivitamin that is not the best supplement for children. Oil-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K can become toxic if a child is overdosed.

Vitamins and minerals are indispensable nutrients to support children's learning and development. Foods containing vitamins and minerals are also very diverse, you can choose to supplement from many sources, but it is best to be fresh. Mothers should pay attention to their child's diet to provide timely adequate vitamins to help children develop in the most ideal way.