dietary principles for children and adolescents

reasonable nutrition plays a decisive role in ensuring children's physical and mental health, promoting the good development of physical strength and intelligence, and laying a good foundation for adult health. Because of the rapid growth and metabolism in childhood, the amount of energy and various nutrients needed is relatively more than that of adults. There are different requirements for the supply of nutrients in the diet at different ages in childhood.

Children and adolescents have the fastest development of muscle system, and they need the most protein, and the demand for various amino acids increases accordingly, which is generally higher than that of adults. 2 times, arginine and threonine can be 4 times higher, and the supply of protein should be adapted to the thermal energy, accounting for 1.2% of the total thermal energy. 15%。

Because children's organs are not mature and their chewing and digesting abilities are not perfect, they should provide soft and digestible food. However, attention should also be paid to gradually increasing foods with more cellulose to enhance the function of teeth and gastrointestinal tract. There is not much glycogen stored in children's liver, and there are relatively few carbohydrates in their bodies. Because they are lively and prone to hunger, they should increase their meals appropriately. In the main and non-staple food should be reasonably matched. In view of the fact that the obesity rate of primary and middle school students in some cities has increased, it is necessary to pay more attention to the reasonable and balanced supply of meals and avoid deficiency and overeating. Prevention of coronary heart disease should also start from childhood. Dietary calorie distribution should be appropriate, and the calorie ratio of three meals a day can be 31% for breakfast, 35% for lunch and 35% for dinner.

Adequate supply of various inorganic salts and vitamins is also very important. Besides calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine and magnesium, adequate supply of zinc in inorganic salts is important for growth and development of sexual organs.