Your child needs good nutrition so that he can grow and develop properly. If your child eats a poor diet that lacks nutrients, he may not perform well during class and may not have the energy he needs to perform extracurricular activities. If you're worried about your child's nutrition, talk to his pediatrician about his diet and how you can make it better.
Growth
Your child needs calcium and vitamin D so her bones can grow and remain strong. As she grows during adolescence, some of her bones will fuse together while others begin to grow in length. Without these nutrients, she could develop conditions such as rickets that would leave her bones weak and brittle. She can get these nutrients by consuming three daily servings of dairy products such as cheese, butter, milk and ice cream.
Strength and Energy
Your child needs nutrients to keep up his energy and strength. His muscles will need protein to get him through afternoon baseball games and he'll also need other vitamins and minerals to give his body energy. If his diet lacks protein and vitamins, he may suffer from muscle weakness, muscle aches and fatigue. You can ensure he gets the energy his body needs by packing him healthy lunches such as whole wheat sandwiches with lean meat and lots of veggies such as apple slices or grapes. Avoid packing sugary snacks and sports drinks, as they often contain lots of sugar. Pack a naturally sweetened juice with no added sugars or a bottle of water. Remember, children need a minimum of six daily servings of whole grains, two servings of protein and three servings of fruits and vegetables, according to HelpGuide.org. Including at least one or more servings with each meal can help ensure your child meets his nutritional needs.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight as an adolescent may help your child grow up to be a healthy adult. As children grow older, peer pressure begins to set in and your child may wonder if her weight is normal. Instilling healthy eating habits will help reassure her that her weight is normal and that she is healthy. A child with poor eating habits may grow up to consume unhealthy foods and have unhealthy eating habits.
Considerations
If your child is a picky eater or isn't on board with eating healthy foods, make it fun for him. Kids like spending time with parents, so make an afternoon out of preparing healthy snacks for the week. You can even take him grocery shopping and let him pick a new fruit or vegetable to try. Explain the importance of good nutrition and set a good example for him by eating healthy foods yourself.
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