Thursday, March 26, 2009

What our kids need

Calcium: Vital for building strong, dense bones. Also important in many cell and muscle functions.



Calcium's a concern for children of all ages, But especially among young children and girls between 9 and 13



Green leavy vegtables, broccoli, oranges, milk and other dairy products are a good source.









Iron: Helps our bodies produce energy, as well as maintain a healthy immune system.



Infants and adolescent girls.



Lean red meats, legumes, tofu, green vegetables, mushrooms and tomatoes are a good source.









Vitamin D: Builds strong bones and teeth, fights inflammation, and protects against diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.



More than half of all children have inadequete levels of vitamin D in their blood.



Milk, eggs, salmon, and shrimp. For infants, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends providing vitamin D supplements. 15 minutes in the sun is also a rich source of vitamin D.









Vitamin E: Promotes healthy cell communication, fights off free radicals, and guards our skin against ultraviolet light.



For children ages 1 to 8, only 48 percent meet their daily requirements.



Sunflower seeds, almonds, olives, papaya, spinach and blueberries are a good source.









Fiber: Normalizes blood sugar levels to fight against diabetes, maintains cholesterol levels, and aids satiety.



According to a USDA report, only 3 percent of children eat an adequate amond of fiber.



Whole fruites(not juice), whole grains, beans, lentils, peas, berries, cauliflower, spinach and carrots are a good source.

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