The Dietary Needs Of The Child Flashcards
What is the function of protein ?
Proteins are used to build the body and they are particularly important in childhood for building the brain, muscle,skin, blood and other tissues in order to make a strong and healthy body.
What are animal and plant sources of protein?
Animal sources - milk, cheese, meat, eggs, fish, chicken and yogurt
Plant sources - soya beans, soya milk, pulses, nuts and seeds
What is the function of carbohydrates ?
- Carbohydrates provide energy needed by children to develop and grow
- Starch and sugar are both carbohydrates
- When more carbohydrates is eaten than is needed, the remainder is changed into body fat and can be stored until needed
What are sources of carbohydrates both as sugar and starch sources ?
Sugars - sweets, fizzy drinks, jam and honey
Starch - pasta, potatoes, rice and bread
What is the function of fat ?
- Fats provide the body with energy.
- Fats also protect the vital organs
-Fats provide an insulating layer which helps the body to maintain a constant temperature. - They are a much more concentrated source than protein or carbohydrate.
What are sources of fat ?
Margarine, butter, cooking oil, meat, cheese and bacon
What is the function of calcium ?
- Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth.
What are sources of calcium?
Milk, cheese, yogurts, green leafy vegetables
What is the function of iron ?
Iron is essential for the formation of haemoglobin which makes red blood cells
What are some sources of iron ?
Haem Iron sources - Red meat, liver, eggs
Non - Haem iron - iron fortified bread and cereals, green vegetables, beans, lentils
What is the function of Vitamin A ?
Vitamin A helps growth in children, helps people to see in the dark and helps to maintain healthy skin.
What are some sources of vitamin A ?
Milk, butter, carrots, green vegetables and fish liver oils
What is the function of Vitamin B ?
They help the body obtain energy from food
What are some sources of vitamin B ?
Wholemeal bread, oats, cheese, eggs, chicken, bananas
What is the function of vitamin C?
Vitamin C helps to keep gums healthy and helps wounds to heal
What are some sources of vitamin C?
Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, cranberries, blackcurrants, strawberries
What is the function of fibre ?
Fibre helps prevent constipation in children as it helps to increase the bulk of the waste and encourages movement along the large intestines.
What are sources of fibre ?
Fruit , vegetables and wholegrains
What is the function of water in the body ?
- Water accounts for about 2/3 of the body’s weight
- It forms all body tissues and is the liquid in which the chemical activities in the body take place
- Water is continuously being lost from the body in sweat, breath, urine and faeces and this water needs replaced.
Where can children get water from ?
Food and drinks
Till when does the World Health Organisation recommend that a baby is exclusively breastfed ?
The World Health Organisation recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life
What is meant by exclusive breastfeeding ?
Exclusive breastfeeding means that no solid foods or formula feeds are given during this 6 month period
The World Health Organisation recommends continued breastfeeding along with complementary foods for up to what age ?
WHO recommended continued breastfeeding along with complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or beyond 1
What are some benefits of breast feeding?
- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of several serious (sometimes life threatening) disorders for both babies and mothers.
- The protection offered by breast feeding has been seen to last for many years for both the mother and her child.
- Breastfeeding provides the baby with antibodies from the mother.
- Breast fed babies are less likely to be dehydrated; the consistency of the milk changes during each feed, beginning with a more fluid consistency and ending with a more filling feed.
What happens if a mother cannot breastfeed or chooses not to breastfeed?
-Formula feeding can provide the child with adequate nutrition.
- In hot weather, formula fed infants can be given a drink of cooled boiled water between feeds to stay hydrated.
When should solid foods be introduced to a baby ?
- When the child is about 6 months old
What is the process of introducing solid foods and teaching a child to eat from a spoon and drink from a cup called?
Weaning
What is weaning before 4 months old associated with ?
Weaning before 4 months old is associated with increased risk of food allergy and kidney problems.
If a parent chooses to begin weaning before 6 months of age what should they avoid offering until 6 months and why ?
- They should avoid offering cows milk, eggs, wheat, nuts, peanuts ,seeds, fish and shellfish until 6 months when the digestive system and kidneys have developed a little more.
- These foods should be introduced in stages to monitor the child’s response to them in case of a food allergy or intolerance
Why should shark, marlin and swordfish be avoided ?
They should be avoided because of the risk of mercury to the child’s brain development.
Why should honey be given only after the child is one year old ?
This is because a bacterium present could cause serious illness to younger infants
Why should weaning not be delayed beyond 6 months?
It should not be delayed beyond 6 months as the baby’s need for nutrients, particularly iron will not be adequately supplied by milk alone.
Why should weaning foods be unsalted and sugar free ?
- Salt is toxic to the infants immature kidneys.
- Sugar will damage the emerging teeth which only have a thin layer of enamel.
What should be offered for healthy hydration to children?
- Water or milk as water hydrates, is kind to teeth and doesn’t add calories to the diet.
- Milk provides calcium in an easily absorbed form and is a good source of zinc and protein
By what age should the child be eating a wide range of foods?
By one-year-old, the child should be eating a wide range of foods, similar to the rest of the family, but with a higher portion of fat and lower amount of fibre
Why is fat important to a one year old ?
Fat provides a concentrated energy source needed for rapid growth .
Why shouldn’t a one year old have too much fibre ?
Too much fibre will fill up the child before they have taken in enough food to meet their high demand for nutrients.
What should the main drinks for a one year old be ?
-The main drinks should still be breast milk or formula milk
- Full fat cows milk can be given as a drink from 12 months onwards (can be used in food from 6 months )
- Semi skimmed milk can be drunk from the age of 2 if they are growing well.
How many glasses of fluid does the eat well guide recommend per day
6- 8 glasses of fluid a day
What does the British Nutrition Foundation suggest as an appropriate serving size of fluid for a young child ?
120-150 ml
What is the good and bad of fruit juice and smoothies as a choice drink ?
- Fruits juices and smoothies can be a useful source of vitamin C
- However they are also a source of free sugars and they are acidic which can cause damage to tooth enamel
- A maximum of one 150ml serving per day is recommended
Why are sugary drinks best avoided altogether?
-They can contribute significantly to the total calorie intake and could play a part in the development of childhood obesity.
-They will also cause damage to teeth
Why are sports and energy drinks not recommended for children?
They have a high sugar content and contain stimulants such as caffeine which can cause problems of sleeping and irritability in children
Between what ages should the food a child eats move towards the recommendations set out in the eat well guide?
Between the ages 2 - 5 years old
What is the 5532-a-day model
It recommends that a child aged 1-3 years should eat 5 portions of carbohydrate, 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 3 portions of dairy foods and 2 portions of protein foods per day.
What food group should provide 50% of a childs energy per day ?
Carbohydrates
What are free sugars?
Free sugars are any sugars added to food and drinks
What can free sugars be found in naturally ?
Honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juices
How much of a child aged 2-5 years energy should come from free sugars ?
Only 5% of food energy should come from free sugars which equates to 13 grams a day for girls and 15 grams a day for boys
How many grams of free sugar should a 2-3 year old and then a 4-5 year old have a day
Aged 2-3 = Girls 13 - grams and boys - 15 grams
Aged 4-5 = Girls - 18 grams and boys - 20g
From when is adding fibre to the diet recommended ?
It is recommended that from about 6 months of age, an increasing amount of fibre is added to the diet, giving opportunities for children to eat grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables
What is the recommended fibre intake for a 2-4 year old
15 g of fibre per day
Wha is the recommended fibre intake for a 5 year old
20 g of fibre a day
What vitamins does the Department of Health recommend are given to all children under 5 everyday?
The Department of Health recommends that all under 5s are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A,C and D everyday
How much salt should children aged 1-3 have and 4-5 have per day
Aged 1-3 = less than 2g per day
Aged 4-5 = less than 3g per day
Why should fish not be introduced to a child’s diet before 6 months of age
Due to the risk of allergy
What are the recommended portions of fish per week
The recommendation for fish is 2 portions a week one of which should be oily
What does the term ‘weaning’ mean
Weaning is the gradual change over from a diet of milk to a diet of a variety of foods both solid and liquid
When do you start weaning ?
- a baby can start to be weaned at around 6 months
- Around 6 months the baby may start to seem hungry after a good milk feed or wake early before their next feed and this is a good indicator that they are ready to begin the process of weaning
- before this their digestive system is not fully developed so starting weaning before this age could cause digestive issues
-A further danger of weaning too early is that the baby may become too fat or develop allergies
What are some signs that a baby is ready for weaning?
- They hold their head up and control their head movements
- they sit well when supported
- they make chewing motions
- they are still hungry after a milk feed
- they have doubled their birth weight
- they demand feeds more often
- they show interest in foods
What are the stages of weaning?
- Starting to wean ( 6 months)
- Giving solid foods (6-9 months)
- Reducing the amount of milk (9-12 months)
Drinking from a cup
What happens in stage 1 starting to wean ?
- young babies can’t chew and have difficulty swallowing and digesting lumps
- solid foods such as cereals, fruits and vegetables need to be liquidised to a purée
- It can then be mixed with baby milk to make a thickened liquid which can then be given to the baby
- A small amount of food once a day is enough to start
- The baby soon comes to expect a little with each feed and a gradual increase is required
- Different foods should be given so that the baby can get used to a range of flavours
What happens at stage 2 of weaning ‘Giving solid foods’
- Most babies start to chew from around 6 months and it’s important to give them solid foods, such as rusks, to encourage this
- A baby who can chew properly can be given solid foods such as toast , cheese and sandwiches - you don’t have to wait until they have all their teeth
- Foods such as meats should be cut into smaller chunks
- Never leave a baby alone when eating or drinking especially if they are learning to eat as there is a risk of choking
What foods can be given to a baby who is starting solid foods
Things like toast, cheese and sandwiches
What happens in stage 3 of weaning ‘reducing the amount of milk’
- As the amount of solid foods increases the need for milk decreases
- By 9-12 months babies have given up breast or bottled milk during the day
- They should now be eating meals not too different from the rest of the family
- Milk should be provided in different forms such as milk pudding but should not come from a cow until the child is 1 year old
- After 12 months cows milk can be given but it should be pasteurised and full fat (whole) milk
- semi skimmed milk is not recommended due to its low energy and vitamin A content
What happens when a child is learning to drink from a cup
- breast or bottled feeding may continue until a baby is 9 months or more , but the number of feeds should reduce and eventually stop
- cup feeding can begin at 5-6 months and it will go on to replace bottle or breastfeeding
- it’s important to begin the process of transitioning to a cup early as it can become more difficult to, as a child gets older
What are some advantages of pre-prepared baby weaning foods
- Quick and easy to prepare
- convenient when only small quantities are needed
- come in a variety of foods
What are some disadvantages of pre-prepared baby foods
- can be more expensive than home prepared foods
- fresh / home prepared foods provide a greater range of tastes and textures
- the baby isn’t eating the same as the rest of the family
What are some tips that can help with weaning onto solid foods?
- make weaning a part of the family routine
- start planning weaning well before the baby is ready and read up about it to prepare
- make homemade batches of food for the week, freeze and defrost for when needed
- introduce a range of flavours and textures early on
What is the definition of obesity
The term that describes a person who has excess body fat
What is the definition of lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance is when you get symptoms, such as tummy pain, after eating foods containing lactose, a sugar found in diary products
What are symptoms of lactose intolerance
- tummy pain or discomfort
- bloating
- farting
- diarrhoea or constipation
- feeling or being sick
What are foods associated with lactose intolerance?
- milk
- butter
- cheese
- yogurt
- ice cream
- cereals
- diet and protein shakes
- sauces and salad dressings
What are some causes of obesity
- excess calories
-high fat and sugar diet - lack of physical activity
- genetics
- medical reasons
What are foods associated with obesity
Foods high in fat and sugar and processed foods
- crisps
- chips
- fizzy drinks
- chocolate
- pizza
What are the impacts of obesity on a child
- Increased risk of obesity as an adult
- Earlier onset of diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
- Asthma can also be developed
- can affect a child’s social confidence
What measures can be taken when children regularly refuse food
- Food presentation - make the food look interesting by making faces from it
- slow introduction - get them to try tiny bits first and gradually build it up
- Get kids involved in the kitchen - get them involved in the cooking process and choosing meals and puddings etc
- make mealtime fun - use a dividing plate - make food colourful
What is the definition of an allergic reaction
An allergy is where your body reacts to certain foods
What are dome symptoms of an allergic reaction
- feeling dizzy or light headed
- itchy skin or raised rash
- swelling of the lips, face and eyes
- coughing, wheezing, breathlessness
- sneezing or an itchy, runny nose
- feeling or being sick
- diarrhoea
What foods are associated with allergies?
- cows milk
- eggs
- peanuts , soybeans, peas and chickpeas
- tree nuts
- shellfish, such as prawns
- Wheat
