0-24 months and 8-15 years are the two groups of age where therealgrowth of kids happen. Hence, it is very important that parents take most care of their child especially their food intake. Right amount of protein and vitamins will spur the growth rate of your kid and make him/her healthy at every stage of life. Most parents tend to ignore the right intake of food once the kid reaches a certain age. Exactly, this is the point where their body starts growing and requiresmaximumenergy. And if you parents still have doubt about how important it is for your kids to eat right then, we have listedfourpointers to explain indetail 1. Children undergo two stages of growth spurts Everyonearekeyedto their kid's dietary intake during the first stage (usually between 0 – 24 months of age) of growth spurt (a phase where the child seems to undergo frequent hunger pangs, puts on weight rapidly, and /or sleeps for a longer period). However according to the pediatrician, parents shouldpreparedeven beforethe advent ofthesecond growthspurt during which a child attains his/heroptimumweight and height. With a packed schedule that includes sports, school, extra-curricular activities, kids need extra nourishment to prepare the body for the imminent leap in height and weight. 2. Importance of Protein in the diet Proteins play a crucial role in ensuring that the bones develop well and the body reaches theoptimumbone mass. The absence of the required protein intake leads to malnutrition or reduced insulin-like growth factor 1. They need vital nutrients like protein, calcium and iron as part of the RDA. Good sources of protein include milk, milk products, eggs, soy and meat. 3. Diet during the pre-puberty years is of prime importance The body goes through a lot of physical changes during the second-growth spurt, reachingoptimumheight and weight being some of them. Hence, a healthy diet that included a lot of calcium, vitamin D and proteins, even before kids reach puberty is extremely crucial. 4. Vitamin D: A crucialcomponent Vitamin D is the most undervalued nutrient as isevidentwith a large percentile of adult population being diagnosed for low levels. In fact, the body requires Vitamin D in sufficient quantities to absorb the calcium which we all know aids a stronger bone development. The second-growth spurt phase provides the last window of opportunity to gainmaximumgrowth for a healthy adult life.
