Optimizing Nutrition for Children

Although physical growth may be less remarkable and proceed at a steadier pace than during infancy and adolescence, these elementary school years are a time of significant social, cognitive and emotional development.
Because children grow and develop bones, teeth, muscles and blood, they need more nutritious food in proportion to their size than do adults.
They may be at risk for malnutrition if they have a poor appetite for a long period, eat a limited spectrum of foods, or dilute their diets with empty kcalorie, nutrient-poor foods. Also at risk are children on strict vegan diets, those with multiple food allergies, with limited food selection due to fad diets, severe sensorimotor issues or inadequate access to food.
Nutrients such as protein, Calcium, Vit D, Zinc, and Iron need special attention. Mealtimes for your child takes on more social significance. Peer group influence increases.
The effect of a healthy optimal breakfast has been studied extensively. These studies suggest that brain functioning is particularly sensitive to short-term variations in nutrient availability. Healthy foods consumed at breakfast resulted in enhanced short term memory, spatial memory, and processing of complex visual stimuli.
Further nutritional concerns may include: overweight and obesity, underweight and failure to thrive, iron deficiency, dental caries, allergies, constipation, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)