Dietitian Zeynep Dolu, who shared nutritional recommendations for children going to school, especially those in kindergarten age, said, “It is important for children to consume 2-3 servings of milk and dairy products a day, especially for bone and tooth development. If eggs, 2-2.5 cups of milk or yogurt, 1-2 meatballs of meat or 1 serving of legumes are consumed in the daily nutrition plan, protein intake is sufficient for the child.”
Dietitian Zeynep Dolu from Liv Hospital Samsun Nutrition and Diet Clinic made recommendations on proper nutrition for school and kindergarten age children. Pointing out that children should consume sufficient and balanced amounts of various foods in four food groups for a healthy diet, Dietitian Zeynep Dolu said, “Milk, yogurt in the dairy group, meat, chicken, eggs, cheese, legumes, vegetables and fruits in the meat group, and bread, bulgur, pasta, rice, etc. in the cereal group are recommended to be consumed in sufficient amounts at each meal. Children should consume 2-3 servings of milk, yogurt and cheese daily, especially in the preschool period for bone and tooth development. Eggs, which are a source of high quality protein, should be included in the daily nutrition plan. Iron deficiency anemia, which is common in preschool period, increases the need for iron. Therefore, iron-rich foods such as red meat, chicken, fish, egg yolks, green leafy vegetables, legumes, dried legumes, dried nuts, dried fruits and molasses should be included in the diet.
The most important meal is breakfast
Underlining that breakfast is the most important meal for children, Dietitian Dolu said, “After an all-night hunger, our body and brain need energy to start the day. Care should be taken to ensure that children gain the habit of having breakfast regularly every morning. Cheese, boiled eggs, olives, 1-2 slices of grain bread or 1 glass of milk, a homemade cheese pastry, peaches are examples of a sufficient and balanced breakfast for children. Keeping physical and mental performance at the highest level throughout the day is only possible by regularly consuming main and intermediate meals. Therefore, meals should not be skipped. Although it varies from person to person, it is most appropriate for a healthy and appetizing 2-6 year old child to consume the daily nutrients in 3 main and 2 snacks.”
Pointing out that high sugar and sugary foods are not suitable for children's nutrition, Dietitian Dolu said, “There is a close relationship between sugar intake and loss of appetite and tooth decay.” In order to reduce or minimize this risk, unhealthy snacks such as biscuits, cakes, chips, fruit juices with high sugar, fat and energy content should be replaced with healthy options such as vegetables and fruits with high vitamin-mineral content, milk, buttermilk, sandwiches, oil seeds and packaged ready-to-eat foods should be avoided as much as possible. Packaged products have high energy value and low nutritional value. Instead of packaged foods, easy recipes that we can make ourselves at home can be tried. In addition, these unhealthy foods loved by children should not be offered as a reward in school or family environment.
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