5 Essential Minerals that Growing Children Need

5 Essential Minerals that Growing Children Need

The Essential Minerals

Here are five essential minerals that are important for children’s health:

  • Calcium: needed for strong bones and teeth. Plant-based sources include kale, broccoli, tofu, almonds, and fortified plant milks.
  • Iron: needed for healthy blood. Plant-based sources include lentils, spinach, tofu, quinoa, and fortified cereals.
  • Zinc: needed for a robust immune system. Plant-based sources include chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, cashews, mushrooms, and fortified cereals.
  • Magnesium: needed for enzymatic reactions. Plant-based sources include spinach, almonds, cashews, avocado, and whole grains.
  • Iodine: needed for thyroid function. Plant-based sources include seaweed, iodized salt, and fortified plant milks.

Why Plant-Based?

Plant-based foods are excellent sources of these essential minerals for children. They are also rich in other important nutrients, such as vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants, which can contribute to overall health and well-being. By incorporating a variety of plant-based foods into your child’s diet, you can help to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.

Potential Reasons for Inadequate Mineral Levels

One common reason why children may have inadequate mineral levels is a diet that is lacking in variety. If your child is a picky eater and only eats a limited range of foods, they may not be getting enough of the essential minerals they need. This is where creativity in the kitchen can come in handy. By introducing new and exciting plant-based foods to your child’s diet, you can help to expand their palate and ensure they are getting a wide range of nutrients.

Another reason for inadequate mineral levels in children could be related to underlying health conditions, such as digestive disorders or food allergies. In these cases, it is important to seek the advice of a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action.

And so…

By including a variety of plant-based foods in your child’s diet, you can help to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. From calcium for strong bones to zinc for a healthy immune system, these five minerals are essential for children above the age of 3 and are readily available in a variety of delicious and nutritious plant-based foods. So why not start incorporating more of these foods into your child’s diet today and see the difference it can make!

In summary, by making sure your child is getting enough of these essential minerals through a variety of plant-based foods, you can help to ensure healthy growth and development.

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