Protein needs for toddlers aged 2

Foods that contain carbohydrates are often preferred by children because they make them full faster than protein. In fact, protein has a role for cell growth in the body. Protein needs for toddlers can be obtained from a variety of animal and vegetable products. The following is a complete explanation of protein needs in children.

Why is protein requirement so important for toddlers?

Quoted from the Food Insight page, protein plays an important role in the process of child development.

Protein plays a role in building cells in the body, hormones, brain development, the immune system, and the growth of body support structures such as muscle, collagen, and hair.

In addition, protein and amino acids as one of the components in it function to maintain the balance of hormones, enzymes and "transport vehicles" for other nutrients.

This is what makes protein indispensable for toddlers for healthy development into adulthood.

How much protein is needed for toddlers aged 2-5 years?

Seeing the explanation of how important protein needs for toddlers, should parents provide lots of high-protein foods? Wait a minute. The reason is, the amount of protein consumed by toddlers must be adjusted to the child's body weight.

Indeed, with age, children's growth is not as fast as it used to be and the amount of protein needed also decreases.

However, seeing the increasing height and weight of toddlers, the total calorie and protein needs of children are also higher.

This is an important provision to help produce hormones that are important for child development when they are teenagers. The following is a table of protein requirements for toddlers which can be used as a reference based on the 2013 Adequacy Rate (RDA):

Toddlers aged 1-3 years: 26 grams
Toddlers aged 4-6 years 35 grams

To increase your little one's protein consumption, don't forget to increase the quality of the selected food sources. Protein is used by the body to increase energy, maintain muscle mass and hormone production.

The important thing to remember is to provide a diet high in protein that is healthy and according to the nutritional needs of toddlers. Your little one's diet must be low in bad fats, cholesterol, sugar and salt.

The American Heart Association reminds parents to avoid overfeeding toddlers.

Types of protein that can meet the nutritional needs of toddlers

The protein needs of toddlers can be met from several types of food, namely animal and vegetable products with different levels.

The protein content in animal products is higher, such as milk, eggs, meat, chicken and seafood.

Meanwhile, for vegetable products, such as nuts, vegetables, and seeds, the protein content is lower. The following is an explanation of the types of protein that can meet the nutritional needs of toddlers.

Milk and processed products

The first source of protein that can meet the nutritional needs of toddlers is milk and various processed products. Milk is an excellent source of protein for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children over 2 years of age consume whole milk that has been pasteurized.

Based on Indonesian Food Composition Data, one glass of 100 ml milk contains 3.2 grams of protein and 61 calories. Not only that, milk is also high in calcium as much as 143 milligrams and fat by 3.5 grams.

Apart from milk, foods such as cheese also contain high enough protein and can meet the nutritional needs of toddlers. In 100 grams of cheese contains 22.8 protein, 326 calories, and 20.3 grams of fat.

Although milk is good for your little one's health, not a few children don't like it. You can be creative by processing or giving dairy products into an appetizing snack.

You can mix macaroni and cheese to make skotel or cheese macaroni mac and cheese . On the menu, there is milk and cheese that contain high protein for the needs of toddler growth and development.

Another menu that can be tried is to make milk as an ingredient for chocolate pudding (or what your child likes) with added fla as a sweetener.

Egg

This protein is quite easy to find and get because it can be purchased at the nearest shop. Eggs are high protein foods and are very beneficial for the health of children to adults.

One egg contains vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, antioxidants, and other nutrients for children's brains that are needed by the body.

Actually one egg is high in protein, but the highest is contained in egg whites. One chicken egg contains 10.8 grams of protein. Meanwhile, purebred chicken eggs contain 16.3 grams of protein and 31.9 grams of fat.

Fish

Some types of seafood are at risk of mercury contamination. However, there are also many types of fish that are good for the health of toddlers.

These types of fish include tilapia, salmon, mackerel, catfish, pomfret, and tuna. You can make a menu by grilling for 10 minutes at 205 degrees Celsius or until the fish layer is dry.

Meanwhile, 100 grams of tuna contains 39 grams of protein and only contains 179 calories. Tuna fish contains omega 3 fats which are very good for toddler brain development and meet the required protein needs.

Tuna is a type of fish that is very popular in Indonesia and easy to find. Therefore, tuna can be easily obtained at the nearest traditional market.

Shrimp

Seafood such as shrimp and squid are also good sources of protein for toddlers. Shrimp is a seafood that is low in calories but high in nutrients.

Various nutrients contained in shrimp such as vitamin B12 and selenium. Selenium is a type of mineral that is good for cognitive function (brain development) and helps the immune system. In 100 grams of shrimp, usually contains 21 grams of protein, 0.2 grams of fat, and 91 calories.

Broccoli

These green vegetables are high in vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber and protein. In 96 grams of broccoli contains 3 grams of protein with 31 calories.

Broccoli is also high in bioactive nutrients that can fight cancer. Compared to other vegetables, broccoli for children is a type of vegetable that has a very high protein content for the needs of toddlers and adults.

Making your little one eat vegetables is not easy. You need to make menu creations so that broccoli is attractive and delicious in the eyes of children.

You can make sauteed mushroom broccoli with minced meat mixture. Add carrots to add nutrition to your little one and make the food menu look more attractive.

Chicken breast

The texture of the meat may be less attractive and very fibrous. However, chicken breast contains higher protein than other parts. In 100 grams of chicken breast contains 34.2 grams of protein, 298 calories, and only 16.8 grams of fat.

In order not to be too fibrous and difficult to chew, you can cook chicken breast into soup, shredded chicken with soy sauce, or roasted chicken.

Make sure you accompany your little one so that he doesn't choke when he eats and the protein needs of the toddler are still well met.

Nuts

Although it is included in the group of vegetable protein which has a lower level than animal protein, nuts are also important in the nutritional needs of toddlers.

Nuts contain fiber, magnesium and protein which are good for children's health and make them full faster. In 28 grams of nuts, there are 7 grams of protein with 159 calories.

If you don't want to give your little ones whole peanuts, you can serve them in the form of peanut butter or foods like a hodgepodge.