Improving the Diet of Children Aged 5 11 Years - Essay Example

"Improving the Diet of Children Aged 5 – 11 Years" is an engrossing example of a paper on child development. Dietitians Canada (2010) notes that children between the ages of 5 and11 years require a lot of energy and nutrients to enable them to grow and develop well. As such, it is important that children of this age group be provided with enough nutrients and energy to enable them to maintain their normal physiological functions as well as ensure that they are protected from the risk of diseases. Normally, children of this age group are very active and play a lot. Therefore, it is important for parents to ensure that children between the ages of 5 and11 years are fed well with a balanced diet in the right quantity and at the right time as this will enable them to have enough energy to participate in sporting activities that also enhances their performance in class (Nissenberg, Bogle and Wright 1995, p.16). The primary focus of this paper is on the ways of improving the diet of children aged 5-11 years.

Generally speaking, nutritionists recommend that children be provided with at least three regular means everyday comprising of breakfast, lunch, and evening supper. However, at the same time, it is recommended that children be given snacks between each meal to ensure that they have enough energy and nutrients (Insel, Turner, and Ross 2009, p.33). Nonetheless, school-going children from the age of 5 to 11 years should be served with a diet high in fiber and low in fats. This implies that children of this age group should be served with food such as potatoes, bread, and cereals that rich in starch. Other starchy foods that can be served include yams, rice, chapattis, and pasta since these foods are very rich in fiber, energy, minerals, and vitamins, as well.

In addition, children from the age of 5 years should be highly encouraged to consume a variety of wholegrain foods as much as they can such as rice, bread, and pasta. This is because whole grain varieties are rich in fiber that is crucial for the regulation of bowel movements in children (Brown, Isaacs and Krinke 2011, p.12). Brown, Isaacs, and Krinke (2011, p.12) also argue that wholegrain varieties are slowly broken down into sugar, which is important for stabilizing the blood sugar level in children, improving concentration, mood, as well as keeping hunger at bay, which is very important for children.

Children aged 5 to 11 years need also to be served with fruits and vegetables daily. This is because fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals, as well as being a source of antioxidants, which ensures that the heart is kept healthy. Apart from just eating these foods, children should also be served with these foods alongside their other diets (Swinney 1999, p.21).

Children aged 5-11 years also need foods rich in calcium for healthy bones and teeth. Therefore, it is recommended that children of this age group be served with milk and dairy products that are a source of calcium (Whitney et al. 2010, p.16). Whitney et al. (2010, p.16) note that, apart from calcium, milk and dairy products are also rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, which are vital for healthy growth and development. However, it is also recommended that children be served with protein-rich food such as meat, chicken, and fish at least twice daily. This is because protein is important for children’s growth, and healing of tissues according to Steel and Seaman (2009, p.43). In addition, parents are also advised to serve their children with food rich in fats as a source of energy. However, fat-rich foods should be served in small quantities to maintain the health of a child.

Conclusion

The key to ensuring that a child grows, develop and lives a healthy life starts with ensuring that they eat a healthy and balanced diet. This is very essential particularly for children aged 5 to 11 years since they are active and play a lot. Therefore, parents should make sure that children of this age group are served with balanced diets all the time and in the right proportion.