Young children (1–6 years)

(Part 2)
Online Lecture # 3
Fizzy Drinks
Use of fizzy drinks are widely popular among adults as well as children.

● But can hardly be recommended as they can provide very little of

nutritive value, the acid and sugar which may damage teeth (Dentin
dissolves below PH 6.5, While PH of fizzy drinks is between 3.2- 2.3)
● Young children should be taught to ignore them.
Variations in Appetite

● During first year of life as growth is rapid, appetite also increase rapidly.
● Second year, however, the rate of growth slows and the appetite therefore
may not increase (stationary stage) may even decrease for a while.
● In attempts to make the child eat more, will often result in conflict with
caretaker or mother or child become overweight
● Variation in food intake during 2nd year of life is large:
● big, very active two year olds may consume as much as 2000 kcal per day.
● While small less active ones may take only 1000 kcal per day.
Vegetarian Diets
Many young children are not keen on eating meat, poultry or fish, or only in
small amounts.

● If they are eating eggs, milk and cheese, bread, rice, beans, peas, lentils, other
vegetables and fruit, their diet will be entirely adequate
● Bread or rice should be eaten along with the beans, peas or lentils at the same
meal to get all essential amino acids (complementary protein)
● An egg or some cheese or a glass of milk (flavoured if necessary) with such a
meal will give added nutritive value.
● To ensure iron intake, iron fortified breakfast cereal can be used at least once
a day.
Additives
Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance its
taste, appearance, colour or other qualities.

● Many processed foods contain additives. Some are useful, while others, such
as colours, are unnecessary from a nutritional viewpoint and can cause health
issues in sensitive people and children.
● Food additives can cause hyperactive behaviour in children

● Read processed food labels carefully and choose food with fewest additives.
Meal Times
● Keep meal times unemotional, without quarrels and disputes.
● Do not try to force a child to eat any particular item of food
● If a child regularly rejects a food item, use something different but of
similar nutritive value next time. Try flavouring the rejected item or
cooking it differently.
● Praise a young child frequently and scold it rarely.
● Young children tend to like their food to be soft, varied, recognizable,
not strongly flavoured and served in small amounts.
● Avoid giving food too hot or too cold and containing inedible items
such as bones and visible fat.
● Use small plates, spoon, cup, fork and glass.