The Composition of a Balanced Diet for the Growth and Development of Children

The composition of a balanced diet for good child development consists of a source of energy (carbohydrates), builder substances (proteins), and regulating substances (vitamins and minerals) with the ideal composition: protein/carbohydrate/fat = 15/50/35.

Children aged 1-3 years need: 3 servings of power source, 6 servings of builder source, 2 servings of regulator source, plus 2 tbsp. of sugar and 2 tbsp. of oil.

Children aged 4-6 years need: 6 servings of power source, 5 servings of builder source, 4 servings of regulator source, plus 2 tbsp. of sugar and 2 tbsp. of oil.

Foods that fall into the category of power substance source: rice, potatoes, bread, noodles, macaroni, vermicelli, sweet potatoes, cassava, taro, and sugar.

Foods of builder substance source group: fish, meat, chicken, milk, cheese, nuts, tofu, and tempeh.

Foods of regulator source group: dark green vegetables such as cassava leaves, spinach, kale, bean leaves, cinnamon leaves, mustard greens, etc.; orange yellow vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, yellow yam, pumpkin, etc.; bean vegetables, for example, beans, chickpeas, peas; fruits such as papaya, pineapple, mango, banana, jackfruit, guava, etc.

Don't get used children too much eat foods containing sugars, kinds of candy, chocolate, ice cream, etc. It causes children satiated before eating the main meal. Sugars will increase gastric fluid for slowing emptying of the stomach.

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