Nutritional considerations :- All parents wish their children to be healthy and there's a great deal you can do to give your child the best start in life as well as good health in later years. The first few years are of vital importance, for this is the crucial time when the foundations for future good health are laid. Food and nutrients are the building blocks in a good diet, which help them to form strong teeth and bones, muscles and healthy tissues. A good diet can also help to protect against illness

A child's diet needs special care and planning- the requirements for energy and nutrients are high, but appetite is small and eating habits are likely to be finicky.

The diet therefore needs to be :-

• Made up of small frequent meals,


• Diet to be "Nutrients Dense"-providing plenty of nutrients in small volume of food.

Iron :- Iron deficiency is common in this age group as iron requirements are high but dietary intake is often low, especially if little or no meat is eaten. Foods rich in Vitamin C such as orange or tomato with evening meal eaten at the same time help maximise iron absorption. Good sources of iron are listed in Table 1.

Calcium :- This is vital for the growth of bones and teeth. Requirements will be met as long as the child consumes enough milk and dairy products. Good sources of dietary calcium are listed in Table 1.

Vitamin A, C, D :-
Vitamin A is needed for healthy skin and cell development and can be often be lacking in diets of this age group.

Vitamin C is important for the immune system and growth. It also helps in the absorption of iron, especially iron from non-meat sources (non heme iron). Vitamin intakes are often low in children who eat little.

Vitamin D is essential for calcium metabolism (breakdown of calcium) and can be synthesised through the action of sunlight on the skin. In winter, and if your child is always covered, make sure that you include dietary sources of vitamin D, along with vitamin D in tablet or liquid form.

Key nutrients and dietary sources (Table 1):-

Nutrient	Important for	Dietary sources
Iron	Needed to make red blood cells and carry oxygen to the body as part of hemoglobin the blood.	Meat based (heme) sources- eggs, lamb, meat, liver, and kidney. Plant (non heme) sources - fortified cereals like cornflakes, bread, dried fruits, beans and pulses and green leafy vegetables (cabbage, spring onions, palak, methi, green beans)
Calcium	Essential for strong bones and teeth, blood clotting and nerve cells.	Non-Dairy based - Fish with soft edible bones, dark leafy vegetables, sesame seeds (Til).Dairy based products-milk, yoghurt (dahi) cheese, paneer,
Vitamin A	Formation and maintenance of skin, hair and membranes, needed for bone and teeth growth and help us see in the dark	Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (peppers, tomatoes mango and apricots), dark leafy vegetables and dairy products
Vitamin C	Essential for structure of bones, cartilages and muscles.	Helps the immune system and the absorption of iron Citrus fruits, berries and vegetables (make sure you don't cook too soft) potatoes and fruit juice.
Vitamin D	Aids in bone and tooth formation and helps the heart and nervous system	Fishes like mackerel, Bombay duck and dairy products.

Now that we know which are the key nutrients for this age group, how does this translate to real food? Suitable foods are divided into Four Major Groups and a fifth Minor - or 'occasional' group. If you base your child's intake on these groups you'll be certain that all the important nutrients are provided.