Daily balanced nutrition pyramid for children 1-2 years old

Children from 1 to 2 years old are a time of strong and fast development both physically and intellectually. At this stage, children can already eat solid foods, but their digestive or absorptive systems and functions are not really complete, so it is necessary to pay attention to nutrition to avoid malnutrition. Through the daily balanced nutrition pyramid model for 1-2 year olds below, parents will have more useful knowledge to take care of their children in the best way.

According to experts, if possible, should still breastfeed babies until 18 to 24 months to support the baby with more nutrition and antibodies. However, for those who do not have enough conditions, from the age of 6 months, parents can train their children to eat solid foods. In the child's diet, it is necessary to provide enough energy and necessary nutrients such as protein, fat, and vitamins for the child to develop and grow quickly.
From 1 to 2 years old, children cannot eat and drink by themselves, but still need their parents to feed them to avoid choking. The main food of children is still milk and porridge, powdered solid food. In addition, parents can give baby foods that are soft or chopped to make it easier for the baby to eat and avoid choking.
At this time, the child still eats porridge, flour, in addition to 3 main meals, the child needs 3-4 more breast feeding sessions. To ensure adequate nutrition, parents should process in a child's bowl of porridge or powder with enough 4 main food groups according to the nutritional pyramid for children, including: starch, vitamins, protein, and fat.
1.1 Starch group The starch group includes rice, beans, vermicelli, pho, ... with children from 1 to 2 years old, their meals need starchy substances such as flour, porridge. The starch group provides energy to help children develop comprehensively, helping them to play all day.
How much baby needs to eat depends on age, weight and activity level during the day. According to experts, 1-year-old children need 1,000-1,400 calories per day, equivalent to about a quarter of the adult diet. So parents can easily adjust the appropriate portion for their baby. In addition, parents can give their children cereals. According to experts, children under 2 years old need about 85 grams of cereal / day.

1.2 Group of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and fiber In the age from 1 to 2 years old, children need to absorb many vitamins for their body to grow healthy and increase their resistance. Essential vitamins for children can include vitamins A, D, C, ... they help develop bones, teeth, make blood, increase the body's resistance.
Vitamins and minerals are found in many fruits and vegetables. Therefore, to ensure vitamin needs, parents should give children vegetables and fruits regularly.
According to experts, children under 2 years old need:
Eat green vegetables: 220 grams/day, fruit about 220 grams/day Vitamin A needs: 400-450 mg/day, abundant in red vegetables, orange like tomatoes, carrots,... Vitamin D: 400UI/day, Vitamin C: 30mg/day, parents should give their children orange juice, grapefruit, lemon,... 1.3 Protein group from animal meat rich in protein, milk and dairy products Protein is essential for the development of the child's body. However, parents should only feed children in moderation, should not eat too much or too little, because if they eat less, they will cause rickets, slow growth, and less intelligence, but if they eat too much, they will burden the liver. kidney. Children's bodies are not fully developed at this time, so parents should only give children 34-44g of protein from meat and fish / 1 day is enough.
Parents should coordinate for children to eat both animal protein (meat, fish, eggs, ..) and vegetable protein (beans, beans, sesame, peanuts, ...) to create a balance to help children absorb protein better.
Children can now drink milk, so give them regular milk to supplement calcium to help them grow quickly and develop their brains. Children 2 years old with no health problems parents can give low-fat or fat-free milk.
As recommended, 1 day parents should give children from 1 to 2 years old should:
Drink milk: About 400-500 ml milk/day Protein: 56 grams/day

1.4 Fat group Fats provide high energy, which will help increase appetite while eating, and at the same time help the body absorb and use soluble vitamins well. However, parents should only feed just enough, not too much.
You can put 1 to 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a bowl of porridge. Should choose oils from plants such as Gac oil, olive oil, soybean oil. It is best to only give children 20-49g of fat per day.

In addition to taking care of the nutritional pyramid diet for children 1-2 years old, parents need to pay attention:
Let children learn to eat foods gradually from soft to hard to teach them to get used to them. If the child has not yet developed molars: puree food for small children, cook with porridge or powder for easy eating and digestion. After the child has molars, parents can cut food into small pieces so that the child can practice chewing, practice chewing, and develop digestive muscles. Regularly change the way of processing as well as food to stimulate the child's taste. Children love to eat sweets, but parents should limit their children's eating. Sugar makes children feel full quickly, refuses to eat food, and easily causes tooth decay. Therefore, children should only eat after meals. Give your child enough water to drink about 100ml/day. If children refuse to drink, they can provide water for the body through drinking smoothies and fruit juices. Based on the child's dietary needs as well as the age, parents should give their children a scientific menu based on the children's nutrition pyramid. Maintaining a scientific diet will help children develop comprehensively both physically and intellectually.
During the development stage, if the child has digestive problems, nutrition or common diseases in young children, parents can take their children to the Pediatrics Department - Vinmec International General Hospital to be examined by the doctor. Professional team of doctors with many years of experience.

In addition to nutrition, children need to be supplemented with zinc daily to eat well, reach the correct height and weight and exceed the standard. Zinc plays a role in affecting most biological processes taking place in the body, especially the breakdown of nucleic acids, proteins... Organs in the body when zinc deficiency can lead to a There are a number of diseases such as neurological disorders, irritability, etc. Therefore, parents need to learn about the role of zinc and guide them to appropriate zinc supplements for their children.
In addition to zinc, parents also need to supplement their children with other important vitamins and minerals such as lysine, chromium, B vitamins,... errands.
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.