Table of contents:
- Nutrition from plant-based foods for your little one
- 1. Protein
- 2. Iron
- 3. Zinc
- 4. Calcium
- 5. Vitamin B12
- 6. Omega-3
Along with the development of knowledge about a healthy lifestyle, many parents provide vegetable protein sources for their little ones for their daily needs. Even so, your little one still has to meet the daily nutritional needs to support his growth and development.
Then how do you ensure that plant-based food choices can meet the nutritional needs of your little one? Here's the explanation.
Nutrition from plant-based foods for your little one
For your little one who consumes vegetable protein sources, you need to always ensure proper nutrition, calories and protein intake, and don't forget to monitor your little one's growth. In addition to protein intake, intake of essential fatty acids, iron, zinc, calcium and vitamin B12 must also be adequate.
Then, what are the nutrients that are important to support growth and development?
1. Protein
Your little one certainly needs protein to support its growth, maintain and repair body tissues, and produce enzymes that regulate body functions. Make sure your little one gets protein intake from a variety of vegetable protein sources.
A plant-based diet also allows the consumption of eggs and dairy products to fulfill your little one's nutrition. Mothers can also get vegetable protein from other foods such as peas, almonds, chia seeds, spinach, broccoli, avocado, and processed soybeans (including tofu, tempeh, and fortified soy formulas).
2. Iron
Iron is needed in the formation of red blood cells which will then be carried to distribute oxygen throughout your little one's body. Iron is also needed to support your little one's brain development.
To meet your little one's iron needs, you can provide food sources that contain iron, such as spinach, kidney beans, lentils, or fortified cereals with iron.
3. Zinc
Too little zinc can inhibit your little one's growth and it can also interfere with their immune system. Zinc is an important nutrient for your little one that should not be underestimated.
Leavened products can be a source of vegetable protein for this one child. For example, such as bread which is friendly food for your little one or dishes made from mushrooms.
4. Calcium
This mineral is an essential nutrient for your little one and is the key to the strength of his bones and teeth. The need for calcium is very high in children aged 1-5 years. In addition to bones and teeth, calcium is also needed for the transmission of nerve stimulation, muscle movement, and other body functions.
Make sure to include foods that contain lots of calcium in your little one's daily menu, such as fortified cereals, orange juice, and fortified soy formula.
5. Vitamin B12
The health of nerves and blood cells depends on this vitamin. However, vitamin B12 is found in many animal-based foods. This requires a product as a supplement containing vitamin B12 or fortified soy formula. Your little one can also get it from oatmeal.
6. Omega-3
To optimize the production of DHA and EPA (omega-3 fatty acids), you should include a good source of alpha-linolenic acid in your little one's diet, such as pumpkin seeds and oil, olive oil, green beans, tofu, soy or soya formula milk. fortified and walnuts.
A diet with plant-based food sources can be a healthy choice for your little one, as long as your little one's nutritional intake is fulfilled from various types or variations of vegetable food sources, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and processed soybeans, including milk. soy formula.
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